November Lights and Gulfport Family Fun
The winter holidays are one of the most fun and exciting times of the year, and the City of Gulfport will be hosting the family-friendly Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival again this season. It happens through January 1.
For a $5 admission fee (one time visit) or a $40 Holiday Savings Pass (12 visits for the price of eight), guests will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival Light Show, which overlooks the Gulfport Municipal Marina. This spectacular light show is being presented as a walking tour or aboard a free heated trolley.
According to David D’Aquilla, one of the directors of the event, this year’s festival has been improved by providing “rides each night and Santa being on-site until December 23, as well as a Christmas Market on-site with high quality arts and crafts vendors.”
Participants will be able to visit with Santa in Santa’s Village, take pictures at any of the Elfie Selfie stations located throughout the park, and have access to the Christmas Market, where many high quality arts and crafts vendors will be on hand.
There will also be hot chocolate, marshmallows, and concession items available for purchase. Tickets for rides such as Santa’s Big Wheel, the Merry-Go-Round Carousel, Santa Express Tour Train, Skyracer, Holly Copter and the Kid’s Master Express Train are also available for purchase inside the park.
Guests may also wish to Park & Pay at the CTA Parking Garage. Your admission fee includes covered parking, show entry, and free shuttle service to and from the show in Jones Park. Be sure to check the back of your ticket stub for discounted holiday events and specials from the Main Street businesses of Gulfport.
This event came from the mind of Councilman Rusty Walker. Councilman Walker had historically provided a holiday light show at his home in Gulfport, with thousands of visitors during the holiday season. With support through the administration, city council, Island View Casino, the Coast Transit Authority (CTA) and the City of Gulfport Department of Leisure Services, Councilman Walker’s inspiration became a reality in 2015 with over 42,000 visitors coming through the park during the first Annual Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival.
2ND ANNUAL GULFPORT HARBOR LIGHTS WINTER FESTIVAL
November 26, 2016 through January 1, 2017 (recurring daily)
Location: Jones Park, Highway 90, Gulfport
Time: 5 to 9 p.m. (weather permitting)
For more information, call (228)868-5881
Trent Dean is a Christian that lives in Cullman, AL, teaches English at Cullman High School, coaches distance runners year-round (XC/Track), and is a husband and father of two young boys (Camden and Benjamin).
