News Blog

Light Up MLK was rained out on November 20th, but Santa has rescheduled! The beloved holiday tradition will now take place on Wednesday, November 30th, at the newly refurbished Annie Adderly Gillis Park, with festivities beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the official tree lighting ceremony occurring at 7:00 p.m. Sounds of the holidays will ring throughout the neighborhood and will include a variety of local community-based performances. Enjoy food and beverages plus a variety of interactive holiday themed activities, including a chance to tell Santa how good you have been!

City officials recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony to re-open the park and this will be the first major event since the renovation transformed it into a beautiful public space. The park now boasts many new features including a courtyard, lush landscaping and trees, shade structures, lighting, walking paths, exercise equipment, street furniture and more. The newly conceived layout of the park features a designated location for the annual Light Up MLK holiday event to continue the park’s cherished tradition. The renovation was funded by the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) after obtaining feedback from the community about their vision for the park.

Long-time resident and community volunteer, Annie Adderly Gillis, lit the tree at the first event in 2010, and in 2011 after she passed away, the City dedicated the park in her honor. In her 98 years, Mrs. Gillis’ contributions to the community were enormous, and her impact will continue to be celebrated with the modernization of this appealing park.