LIVE OAK, Fla. — The Suwannee County Coliseum will be transformed into Bethlehem this weekend.

Bethlehem Live, a free live nativity, is taking over the Coliseum on Friday and Saturday from 6-8 p.m.

“They’ll just experience Bethlehem,” said Dr. Larry Clay, the pastor at Live Oak Christian Church and one of the organizers for the event, which is in its second year. “It’s just an opportunity to experience the city during the time of the birth of Christ.”

Once people arrive to Bethlehem, the coliseum, on Friday and Saturday, Clay said they would first get to listen to Christmas music.

Then, they’ll be led in groups into the city, where there will be shops and animals inside.

The tour will continue outside with an inn and finish at the stable, where Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus will be.

“They can stay in Bethlehem as long as they want,” Clay said, adding that in addition to Live Oak Christian Church, the Advent Christian Church, Christ Central, Community Church of God and the Boys Ranch are all teaming up to present the event.

“The vision for doing it was just to offer it as a gift to the community during the Christmas season,” Clay said about starting the performance a year ago.

While the event is this weekend, Clay said there is still time for people to contribute if they would like, whether it be in providing music or joining the cast.

“It’s a very simple thing,” he said. “There’s not a lot of stuff to memorize.

“There’s till time to participate if people want to participate.”

For anyone wanting to participate in Bethlehem Live, please contact Clay at 904-239-1790 or 386-362-1085.