News Photo by Crystal Nelson Hillman residents Karen Funk, Lisa Stanley, and Lorie Jacobs look over costumes that will be used in a live Nativity Saturday in Emerick Park.

HILLMAN –Hillman residents and visitors will be treated to a live Nativity this Christmas season.

The first showing of the Nativity will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday and the second showing will follow at 7 p.m. Saturday at the band shell in Emerick Park, 351 State St.

Those who attend can expect to see Mary and Joseph, King Herod, the three wise men, shepherds, and angels.

Lorie Jacobs, who coordinated the event at the new band shell, said organizers are waiting to see how cold it will be on Saturday, which will determine whether they have an infant to play baby Jesus.

An audio recording will narrate the scene.

Jacobs thought a live Nativity in the village would put people into the Christmas spirit. Jacobs said she used to attend a live Nativity in Alpena with her mother for years and said it was “their thing.” She said her mother died six years ago, and now she wants to start a new tradition with the community.

“I feel close to her doing this,” she said.

Jacobs never envisioned herself taking on that kind of project, but said the community has really embraced the idea.

Two churches — New Beginnings Ministries and Free Methodist Church –have agreed to each perform one of the two Nativity scenes on Saturday. People in the community will bring in donkeys, goats, and sheep.

She said the props, such as the cross, star, and manger, were made locally and Big Rock Congregational Church in Atlanta donated the costumes.

“Everybody has really been great,” she said. “I just hope people come. I guess that’s my fear, that nobody will show up.”

In addition to the Nativity, there will be hot chocolate and a bonfire for visitors.

Although the event is free, Jacobs said donations are suggested. Non-perishable food items can also be donated as part of a food drive.

Monetary donations will go toward future programming at the village’s band shell, which opened to the community this year.

Jacobs said she is hoping the live Nativity becomes an annual event there.

If you go

∫ WHAT: Live Nativity

∫ WHEN: 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

∫ WHERE: Emerick Park band shell, 351 State St., Hillman

∫ HOW MUCH: Free, but donations of cash and non-perishable food will be accepted

∫ INFO: For more information, search Emerick Park Band Shell on Facebook.

CORRECTION: This article has been updated to reflect the correct spelling of King Herod.