Each church puts their own spin on things, but most include a red-carpet entrance with a warm welcome from a friendly, but noisy crowd and paparazzi, a buddy to escort the guest of honor through their evening, hair and makeup stations, limousine or sports car rides, karaoke, a catered dinner, a Sensory Room, a Respite Room for parents and caregivers and dancing. The evening normally ends with a crowning ceremony where every guest is honored as a king or a queen – the way God sees them every day.
Co-organizer of the Upper Room Night to Shine Austin Pereira sprays confetti on the dance floor. There were 120 guests and buddies in attendance Feb. 7 and another 115 volunteers.
Kaitlyn Evans smiles with Jimmy Oum.
Hayley Gurney holds up a peach sign as she takes a selfie with her friends at Night to Shine at Upper Room Church.
The night was full of dancing, food, photos and fun at Shoreline Church Feb. 7.
Each guest made a grand red-carpet entrance as the crowd cheered and welcomed them to the night to remember.
The theme of Night to Shine is love. Special guests and buddies hug on the dance floor at Upper Room Church.
In years past, Community Life Church has hosted the local Night to Shine. This year, special needs guests and their buddies walked the red carpet at Upper Room Church in Gulf Breeze and Shoreline Church in Destin.