Christmas in the Park

Today Keesler Air Force Base kicked off the month of December with a holiday celebration for military members along the Coast. News 25’s Kendra Turley takes us inside Christmas in the Park.
Hundreds of military families kicked off the holiday season at Christmas in the Park, an annual tradition at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. 81st for Support Squadron Commander Teresa King said, “We have several students that are here on the base that don’t have families here. It’s great for them to be able to come out. We have a lot of single airmen as well.”
From hayrides to train rides, snow and hot cocoa, Christmas in the Park is the perfect combination of Christmas favorites. Keesler Air Force Base family member Emily Pritchett said, “We got to meet princesses and some gingerbread men and some reindeer.”
Dozens of people stood in line for over an hour sipping hot cocoa and baring the cold to get a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Clause. Keesler Air Force Base family member Mackenzie Jenkins said, “What makes it special for me is I get to hang out with my family. It’s Christmas and it’s December and it’s beautiful.”
Even with all of the sweet treats and festivities, many families on base agree that the best part of Christmas in the Park is spending quality time with the ones they love. “A lot of times military families have to travel for the holidays. So, we have to spend money on traveling and gifts for family members that we don’t get to see throughout the year. It’s really nice that the community supports events like this that we can come out here and enjoy time with our kids,” said Pritchett.
Organizers say the Christmas in the Park event is just another display of how the Keesler Air Force Base is “one team, one fight.” “It’s great to be able to afford that opportunity to everyone that can’t be home with their families because we are one family here,” said King.