The holiday season is arriving on the coast with hot chocolate, gumbo and a visit from Santa, as Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores prepares to host its Coastal Christmas Kickoff Party this weekend.
The free celebration is set for Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion. Families are invited to gather by the fire, warm up with a bowl of gumbo, roast marshmallows and sip hot chocolate while children get a chance to meet Santa. Live music will round out the evening, with performances from the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Elementary Ensemble and the University of Mobile’s RamCorps.
The gathering is one of several holiday events being staged across the state park system, which is marking its 75th anniversary this year. But the Gulf Shores party carries an extra layer of purpose beyond the seasonal cheer.
Park staff are using the occasion to spotlight a gift drive for local foster children. Gulf State Park has pledged to sponsor 40 Baldwin County foster children, aiming to provide at least one gift for every child whose photo hangs on a tree in the park’s lobby.
Community members who want to help can stop by the park to select a child from the tree, or they can email the park office for a suggestion. Officials ask that gifts be left unwrapped and dropped off at the park office, along with a note indicating the child’s gender and age.
“There are dozens of foster children in Baldwin County,” said Lisa Laraway, superintendent of Gulf State Park. “Gulf State Park hopes to brighten these children’s Christmas with a few gifts from folks in our community, and we look forward to celebrating with everyone who participates at the pavilion this Sunday.”
The event fits into a broader lineup of Christmas activities happening throughout Baldwin County this month, giving coastal families plenty of ways to mark the season close to home.
Organizers say the combination of a relaxed beachside gathering and a hands-on way to give back is what makes the kickoff special. For residents of Gulf Shores and the surrounding communities, it offers a chance to start the holidays with neighbors while helping to ensure that children in need are not forgotten.
More information about the Coastal Christmas Kickoff Party is available by contacting the Gulf State Park office directly.