Members of the Albert Lea Church of Christ-Christian will host their 16th annual drive-through live Nativity Friday and Saturday.

When the church started planning the nativity 16 years ago, there were only two or three scenes, but this year there will be eight scenes with 95 characters, said Jerry Copas, one of the organizers.

Automobiles can pull up to the church at 1705 SE Marshall St., Albert Lea, between Advance Auto and Napa Auto Parts, from 7 to 9 p.m. both days to view the scenes. Admission is free.

Greeters will welcome the people, and then they can proceed to the nativity.

The scenes tell the complete story of Jesus’ birth. There’s also a cross for his death and an empty tomb to represent his resurrection at the end.

“We call this our Christmas present for the community,” Copas said.

The project first came about after deacons and elders at the church started talking about what kinds of projects they could do to give back to the community.

The nativity is put on with the help of Albert Lea Vineyard Church members and other family and friends.

There will be live camels, donkeys and sheep, to name a few, and organizers expect more than 1,000 people in attendance between both nights, Copas said. Last year, there were about 1,300 people and the maximum there’s been is between 1,500 and 1,600.

“I’ve been a character outside most of the years we’ve had it,” he said. “It’s just fantastic to hear all the oohs and aahs from the kids and the comments from people going through. It’s a really neat Christian message.”

If the weather is bad, the event will more than likely be postponed to the following weekend.

Copas said organizers begin planning for the event each year in July or August.

They will set everything up on Wednesday.