'Winter Wonderland' Ushers In Holiday Spirit at Lake Terrace Convention Center
Tue, 11/30/2010 - 05:00pm | By: Tearanny Street
Wonderful performances and beautiful decorations will usher in the holiday spirit with a magical family event on Dec. 2 in the Hattiesburg Lake Terrace Convention Center.
The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and Forrest General Hospital (FGH) have partnered to present a holiday event titled ‘Winter Wonderland' featuring a Christmas Village at 6 p.m. and holiday music both sacred and secular at 7:30 p.m.
“This is our special treat for the community and a great way to kick off the holiday season,” said Jay Dean, music director of the symphony. “Every year, we try to provide a spectacular opening to the holiday season and this year, with the generous support of Forrest General, we really created something special.”
The Christmas Village features a host of activities for children to enjoy including Victorian carolers and living toys. Children can take photos with Santa and his elves in Santa's workshop and receive a special gift. Additionally, they will also be able to personalize Christmas ornaments and make magical reindeer food.
In addition to musical arrangements by the Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, special guest stars Guy Hovis and Mary Donnelly Haskell will perform. Other talented musicians and performers from across the area include an introduction of the Sweeteas, First Presbyterian Church Children's Choir, Presbyterian Christian High School Drill Team and Varsity Cheerleaders and the famous Southern Miss Dixie Darlings.
Millie Swan, chief marketing and medical staff services officer for Forrest General, hopes families will come to enjoy the festivities.
“We have been planning to do an event such as this for some time. It is perfect timing with the opening of our new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit next year. We are fortunate to serve families through all stages of life and we want families to experience a wonderful, magical event at this time of year!”
The hospital will introduce the newest member of the FGH family, Forrest, and release its new children's book titled “Forrest the Little Deer” at Winter Wonderland. The book is written by Millie Swan and Jamie O'Quinn and illustrated by Kelly Stanford. A portion will be narrated by actor Gary Grubbs for the entire audience to hear.
Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for children. To purchase tickets, call 601.266.5418 or go to southernmisstickets.com. For more information on Winter Wonderland, call the Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra at 601.266.4001.