Highlights of Holiday Hoopla Part 1

Highlights from Saturday, December 5th Gulfport Holiday Hoopla.
Video: Phil Penrose
Post Production: Gail Biron

Highlights of Holiday Hoopla Part 2

Highlights from Saturday, December 5th Gulfport Holiday Hoopla.
Video: Phil Penrose
Post Production: Gail Biron

Celebrate Gulfport's Centenniel with the original Play "G...

Gulfport Centennial Musical Celebration!

It isnt every city that kicks off its centennial celebration with an original musical written especially fo...   more Gulfport Centennial Musical Celebration!

It isnt every city that kicks off its centennial celebration with an original musical written especially for its birthday, but that is exactly what Gulfport Florida is doing. A little over a year and a half ago, a Gulfport resident and well-known playwright, Gil Perlroth, teamed up with Gulfport Historian, Lynne Brown to create a never-before-seen musical. This tremendous effort on both their parts is premiering January 9 and will run through January 24th, 2010 at the Catherine A. Hickman Theater in a play entitled, Gulfport: The Musical.

The play is a joint effort by the City of Gulfport and the Gulfport Community Players to kick off the City of Gulfport's Centennial Celebration. It is based upon some of the many historical highlights of the unique City of Gulfport, Florida.

Under of very able direction of Daniel Harris and musical direction by Bill Bryant and backed by a cast of 26 actors, this play is a history of the ups and downs of this small Florida coastal town by the bay. And quite a story it is!

Many years ago, The Great Hurricane of 1921 destroyed and changed the character of Gulfport forever. What was once a small fishing village was wiped out by that storm. People were starving and there seemed to be no way to make a living. Then later prohibition arrived, and what was left of the fishermen turned to bootlegging. Time marched on to 1980 when undesirables virtually took over the waterfront.

Today Gulfport has the feel of a small town, unlike some larger cities around the state. Gulfport is an extremely laid back community and the residents like it that way. To coin the old phrase, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

The Gulfport Centennial Celebration of events will continue through 2010, but, for now, let's pause a bit and enjoy a bit of history and see a great musical about this very special city by the bay known as the Gateway to the Gulf. Tickets are on sale now for just $15 each. You can purchase tickets in Gulfport at Eileens Resale Shop at 5401 Gulfport Blvd. S, The Gulfport Casino Ballroom at 5501 Shore Blvd. S., The Gulfport Chamber of Commerce at 2808 58th St. S. and The Beach Bazaar at 3115 Beach Blvd. S. Get yours while you still can! For more information, please contact the Gulfport Community Players at 727-322-0316.   less

City of Gulfport Holiday Tree Lighting 11/30/09 Part 1

1-2-3, light up the tree! The Gulfport Holiday Tree Lighting was on Monday, November 30th, 7 p.m. in Clymer Park located at Gulfport Blvd. S and Be...   more 1-2-3, light up the tree! The Gulfport Holiday Tree Lighting was on Monday, November 30th, 7 p.m. in Clymer Park located at Gulfport Blvd. S and Beach Blvd. S. Music was sung by the Gulfport Recreation Tot Time Program and After School Program. Caroling with former Mayor Yvonne Johnson. A true Gulfport tradition. All City Council and Gulfport Mayor Mike Yakes attended. Don't miss next years event on Monday, Dcember 6th, 2010, Celebrating Gulfport's Centennial! Video: Phil Penrose, Post Production: Gail Biron   less

City of Gulfport Holiday Tree Lighting 11/30/09 Part 2

1-2-3, light up the tree! The Gulfport Holiday Tree Lighting was on Monday, November 30th, 7 p.m. in Clymer Park located at Gulfport Blvd. S and Be...   more 1-2-3, light up the tree! The Gulfport Holiday Tree Lighting was on Monday, November 30th, 7 p.m. in Clymer Park located at Gulfport Blvd. S and Beach Blvd. S. Music was sung by the Gulfport Recreation Tot Time Program and After School Program. Caroling with former Mayor Yvonne Johnson. A true Gulfport tradition. All City Council and Gulfport Mayor Mike Yakes attended. Don't miss next years event on Monday, Dcember 6th, 2010, Celebrating Gulfport's Centennial! Video: Phil Penrose, Post Production: Gail Biron

A surprise visit from the big man in red himself will be there to listen to your little ones Holiday wishes.   less