BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — Handel's Messiah has been gracing the Bismarck-Mandan area for close to 95 years. And the community hopes it'll hit 100. "I think the arts are vitally important to the community," says Messiah conductor Jason Thoms. Since 1930, the performance of Messiah at Trinity Lutheran Church has been a Thanksgiving tradition for locals in our area. This year is its 94th year. Thoms says this is the first time he's had performers from North Dakota State University. But he says some choir members have been performing Messiah for more than 50 years. And it's a tradition that's stood the test of time. "When are there times that a community sings together?" says Thoms. "Like at a birthday celebration, or they sing together at a football game. They sing the national anthem. This is what community is about. It's about singing together, making music together, and so, these kinds of events are really important."