The Biloxi High Indians offense and defense will hold an intramural scrimmage of sorts on Thursday – on the water.
A kayak race between representatives of the two squads, billed as the Mayor’s Kayak Challenge, will be one of the attractions for the inaugural Beach Fest, which will be a collection of arts and crafts vendors and food and drinks, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Biloxi Lighthouse pier.
The affair, which is co-sponsored by the city and the Biloxi Bay Chamber, is free and open to the public. A disc jockey will provide music, and beach volleyball is planned.
“We’re looking to establish another annual event that takes advantage of the beach, the water and the recreational opportunities we have,” said Sherry Bell, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. “And, of course, we want it to be a fun event. In addition to the Mayor’s Kayak Race, we’ll also have a moonlight kayak trip after the Beach Fest.”
The two football players in the kayak race will be following a course that will stretch from the Lighthouse Pier to the I-110 Loop boardwalk.
“The winner of this event will get a trophy and have bragging rights,” Bell said. “We’re hoping to have a good turnout to kick off a new summertime event.”
Details: To print a flyer for Beach Fest, click here.
Council approves borrowing for streets and drainage
The prospect of baseball in downtown Biloxi dominated the City Council meeting Tuesday, but councilmembers gave unanimous thumbs-up to another issue during the meeting: the borrowing of $14 million for streets and drainage repairs throughout the city.
“We have a working list of streets that the current councilmembers have compiled, and I’m sure the incoming councilmembers will want to review that list once they take office in July,” said acting Public Works Director Damon Torricelli.
The work will be in addition to the federally-funded $355 million in infrastructure work the city now has underway.
The council also approved a contract for devices that control vehicular and marine traffic navigating the Popp’s Ferry brdige.
The fender system damaged by a passing tugboat will be repaired, as well as the aging crossing bar and control mechanism on the northside of the span.
Photos: To see photos from the City Council meeting, click here.
