Harbor Light Winter Festival Preview
You can almost hear those sleigh bells, Santa Claus will be here before you know it. The city of Gulfport has been preparing a big light show this year and they’re giving a sneak peek to a very special kid.
With a countdown and a flip of a switch, Jones Park transformed into a winter wonderland all at the hands of seven-year-old Evan Heidingsfelder.
“Evan is a Gulfport boy, so being able to partner with the city of Gulfport to let him cut the lights and make all this magic happen is just fantastic. He’s actually on the cover of our Make-A-Wish calendar for 2015 for our national cover. It was only fitting that he got to cut on the lights,” said Make-A-Wish Director Shellie Moses.
As a toddler, Evan was diagnosed with leukemia but that did not keep him down. His one wish was to ride on a steam engine in the snow, something the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted. As a five year old, he barely remembers the trip but bringing light to Jones Park is something he won’t soon forget. Evan’s dad, Adam, said, “We went to Colorado for his Make-A-Wish and we got to see some snow on a real steam train. I think today his favorite part was getting to pick the song.”
The inaugural Harbor Lights Winter Festival isn’t open to the public yet. Tonight’s preview has the whole town buzzing with excitement for the one of a kind show. Director of the Gulfport Department of Leisure Services David D’Aquilla said, “I’ve been very pleased. We’ve been out testing a little bit off and on for the last couple weeks but tonight’s the first night we’ve kind of put pressure on everything and got a few little things here and there. We’re very pleased with how it’s gone tonight.”
The Harbor Lights Winter Festival will officially open to the public on November 27th and last through January 3rd. It is open every night from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 per car load.
With a countdown and a flip of a switch, Jones Park transformed into a winter wonderland all at the hands of seven-year-old Evan Heidingsfelder.
“Evan is a Gulfport boy, so being able to partner with the city of Gulfport to let him cut the lights and make all this magic happen is just fantastic. He’s actually on the cover of our Make-A-Wish calendar for 2015 for our national cover. It was only fitting that he got to cut on the lights,” said Make-A-Wish Director Shellie Moses.
As a toddler, Evan was diagnosed with leukemia but that did not keep him down. His one wish was to ride on a steam engine in the snow, something the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted. As a five year old, he barely remembers the trip but bringing light to Jones Park is something he won’t soon forget. Evan’s dad, Adam, said, “We went to Colorado for his Make-A-Wish and we got to see some snow on a real steam train. I think today his favorite part was getting to pick the song.”
The inaugural Harbor Lights Winter Festival isn’t open to the public yet. Tonight’s preview has the whole town buzzing with excitement for the one of a kind show. Director of the Gulfport Department of Leisure Services David D’Aquilla said, “I’ve been very pleased. We’ve been out testing a little bit off and on for the last couple weeks but tonight’s the first night we’ve kind of put pressure on everything and got a few little things here and there. We’re very pleased with how it’s gone tonight.”
The Harbor Lights Winter Festival will officially open to the public on November 27th and last through January 3rd. It is open every night from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 per car load.
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