Biloxi Seafood Festival is this weekend

The Biloxi Chamber of Commerce’s 31st Annual Biloxi Seafood Festival will be Saturday and Sunday at the Biloxi Town Green.

“The seafood festival is a celebration of family, community, and seafood heritage of Biloxi,” Chamber Director Rachael Seymour said. “This year Biloxi Chamber of Commerce’s Seafood Festival Committee and Board of Directors, in partnership with the City of Biloxi, plan to make the Biloxi Seafood Festival the biggest and best festival ever.”

Festivalgoers will enjoy a wide variety of seafood dishes, arts and crafts, and continuous live entertainment throughout the weekend. Rock, zydeco, country and contemporary music will be offered. The Molly Ringwalds will headline this year’s festival, with a performance that begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Additionally, “Fit to Eat,” a program on Mississippi Public Broadcasting, will tape two cooking demonstrations, featuring local Chef Rob Stinson, owner of Salute and Lookout 49 Steakhouse.

The Sun Herald Gumbo Championship will be held on Sunday. Professionals and amateurs compete in a special, fenced-off area of the Biloxi Seafood Festival. The public will be invited to enter the competition area and sample gumbo for a small fee (in addition to the Seafood Festival entrance fee). Winners will receive awards, recognition in The Sun Herald, and bragging rights.

The entertainment lineup:

Saturday, Sept. 8

— 10-noon Matt Lemmler’s New Orleans Jazz Revival Band

— Noon-2 p.m. Back Alley

— 2-4 p.m. Rochelle Harper Band

— 4-6 p.m. Rhythm & Rain

— 6-9 p.m. Molly Ringwalds

Sunday, Sept. 9

— 10 a.m.-noon Sista Jazz

— Noon-3 p.m. Dikki Du & the Zydeco Crew

— 3-5 p.m. Tim Gross & the Blue Blazes

For more information on the Biloxi Seafood Festival, please contact the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce (228) 604-0014 or visit www.biloxi.org.