Front Porch Party

As little as any of us here at Gulfport Historical Society like the COVID-19 pandemic or any of the things that come with it — sickness, economic disruption, and long, long weeks of social distancing — there's no denying this is a historic event. The challenges we face and the many ways we respond to those challenges will be remembered for a long time to come. 

To document this history, and to show all the creative ways in which Gulfportians are dealing with the trials of self-isolating and staying safer at home, we are announcing a new event: our Front Porch Party photo competition! Take a photograph (from an appropriate social distance, of course!) of how you or your neighbors are adapting in these uncertain times — whether it's kids going on a "bear hunt" or friends enjoying a "driveway happy hour" — and send it to us! We'll feature them on our Facebook page and put together an exhibit we can all enjoy in the Gulfport Arts Center once it is safe to gather again. Three winners will be selected and receive gift cards to favorite local businesses.

A few more particulars:

• All photographers must abide by safer-at-home rules. The point is to show how we're working to keep ourselves happy and healthy in troubled times!
• All photographs must be taken in Gulfport.
• Photographers must obtain verbal permission from folks appearing in their photographs to use them for contest purposes. For photographs of minors, please obtain the permission of their guardians. 
• Our submission period ends when our safer at home order is lifted, which we hope will be sooner rather than later! We will announce a closing date when that information becomes available.

Image courtesy of Gulfport Historical Society.