Page 24 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2019

COASTNOTES
Families bundled up in festive scarves, swirls of steam rising from the mugs of hot chocolate in their hands on a cold night – these images conjure the spirit of the holidays, but one vital element is missing. What would the holidays be without the sparkle of bright, twinkling lights?
There’s nothing quite like a spectacular holiday light display,
and no one does it like the City of Gulfport. The Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival brought in more than 236,000 visitors over a four-year span, making it one of the largest holiday light displays in the country.
Jones Park transforms into a winter wonderland each year, featuring a dazzling display of over 1,500,000 lights, making it the perfect backdrop for Christmas festivities. The spectacular light show can be enjoyed as a walking tour or aboard a free heated trolley. To add to the fun, festival-goers can enjoy rides such as the Merry Go Round Carousel and Santa’s Kid’s Master Express Train, visit Santa in Santa’s Village, and snap memorable pictures at the Elfie Selfie
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photo courtesy of the City of Gulfport
stations, all while staying warm with a nice cup of hot chocolate available for purchase.
The festival is known for its “dancing trees,” a choreographed light show created by tree-shaped fixtures. “This is one of the many features that set
us apart from other regional holiday festivals,” said City of Gulfport Director of Leisure Services, Gus Wesson. “Last year we revamped and remodeled our Santa’s Village to be one of the most elaborate experiences that locals and tourists can find and it has been very well received.”
The location of Gulfport Harbor Lights also makes it unique as it is held on the beach with a view of
the harbor. “We not only have lights throughout the park, but we even string lights on the lighthouse,” Wesson continued. “All around, it’s just something you can’t help but enjoy during the holiday season.”
With the addition of the Gulfport Harbor Lights Winter Festival in
2015, the City of Gulfport has been expanding its tourism season to include year-round offerings. “Harbor
Lights is a brainchild of Council President, Rusty Walker,” says Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes. “As a programming hobbyist, Rusty took the concept from an annual computerized holiday light display at his home and put it on steroids. Rick Carter, co- owner of Island View Casino loved
the idea and provided sponsorship funding to help bring the show
into reality. The result is the largest Christmas attraction in Mississippi, five years in the making. Gulfport is open for business and geared for a good time!”
2269 Jones Park Dr., Gulfport 228.868.5881 www.gulfportharborlights.com
November 29 – December 31, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. daily Closed on Christmas Eve
Admission: adults $10, children $5, free for children under five
24 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • December 2019
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