For years, the annual HeART of the City Christmas concert has been a holiday staple for residents — combining the Beaufort County Choral Society and River City Ringers in one performance.

However, with the Choral Society hosting its Community Sing on Saturday and no funding for the concert this year, the River City Ringers handbell choir was left with the decision of whether to continue the tradition.

Continue it, they did.

In lieu of HeART of the City, the River City Ringers is hosting its own performance and Christmas carol sing-along at First Christian Church on Friday evening. Local churches are also invited to attend and/or join in the singing.

Ringers member Sally Love said the handbell choir will perform four or five numbers, and then the rest of the program will involve Christmas caroling.

“We’re just going to play some Christmas music and have some good sing-along time,” Love said.

Although Ringers members have already expressed their desire to keep the concert tradition alive, Love said she is hoping the community feels the same way.

In the past, the HeART of the City performances have filled the Washington Civic Center and Turnage Theatre venues, according to Love, and she hopes a big crowd will come out to First Christian, as well.

“I don’t know that the word has gotten out (this year),” Love said. “We’re going to try to keep that tradition going if we can.”

The River City Ringers concert is free, but attendees are asked to bring canned goods to donate to Eagle’s Wings and the Salvation Army.

The concert and Christmas carol sing-along will be Friday at 7 p.m. at First Christian Church, 307 E. Third St., Washington.