Looking for that one-of-a-kind gift to give for Christmas? Look no further. The Holiday Open House at the Biloxi Visitors Center has you covered this weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Biloxi Visitors Center will be filled with dozens of artists and craftsmen showing and selling their wares. There will also be free gift wrapping and Biloxi Tour Train rides to a host of shops in downtown. Donations for the Humane Society of South Mississippi are requested for the tour train rides.
“We offer Christmas shoppers a last-minute opportunity to find locally created arts and crafts,” said Biloxi Visitors Center Manager Bill Raymond. “We will have about 50 vendors that will be set up inside the center, upstairs and downstairs. We will also have a free continental breakfast both days at 9 a.m.”
In addition to all the wares, the affair will feature door prizes throughout each day, hamburgers and hot dogs grilled by volunteers from the West End Hose Co. No. 3 Fire Museum, crafts for children, and, of course, visits with Santa Claus.
“Santa Claus will be visiting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday,” Raymond said. “We will have a photographer on site taking pictures which will be available for free almost immediately.”
Also, the limited edition 2019 Lighthouse Christmas Ornament featuring an image of the Biloxi Lighthouse and a schooner will be available for $20 and the Visitors Center. Also, Christmas T-shirts will be available for $25. Both may be purchased during the Holiday Open House at the Biloxi Visitors Center gift shop.
Elsewhere this weekend: The Parks & Recreation Department hosts its annual Special Needs Christmas Dance at the Donal M. Snyder Sr. Community Center from 6 to 9 tonight, and Christmas Time as Beauvoir, an affair with story time, Christmas carolers and more, will take place throughout the weekend at the Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library. Over at the casinos, Brandon Bennett will perform at the IP and the holiday spectacular Christmas in the Air will take place at the Beau Rivage.
See the Holiday Open House flyer
See the Biloxi Community Calendar
North contract: The end is near. Really.
It was a quiet-yet-significant milestone this week when Oscar Renda paving crews laid down the last stretch of base course of asphalt in the nearly 55 miles of infrastructure work north of the CSX railway.
The work was at the north end of Forrest Avenue, the several blocks between Bayview and the Keesler gate at Meadows Drive. Two other sections, outside Oscar Renda’s work remain: The unpaved section at Division Street is part of the new Keesler gate, and a block of Magnolia Street is a confounded by a gas line improperly installed by the gas company. Magnolia, however, is expected to be paved by Dec. 31.
Now, workers from Oscar Renda Contracting will turn to finishing up driveways, sidewalks and landscaping throughout the overall work area, and they’ll be videotaping sewer and drainage lines for final city inspections. Then, after all of the OKs, the final surface coat of asphalt will be applied to streets.
Meanwhile, South of the CSX railway
Portions of Howard Avenue remained closed as Hemphill Construction workers installed a 15-inch water line near Benachi Street.
The work is expected to move eastward to Hopkins Boulevard, with the southernmost lane closed to traffic. The Howard Avenue work is expected to be completed before Mardi Gras parades roll in February. Work also continues throughout the eight-miles of the project, from downtown Biloxi to Seashore Methodist.
See the new video of progress
See the detailed status maps
News and notes: Podcasts, council, holiday schedules
The issues: Hear the latest from City Hall this week in “City Desk,” a 15-minute podcast recorded Thursday at City Hall, by clicking here.
Holiday safety: People tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, and, as a result, safety becomes an issue. Representatives of the Biloxi Police and Fire departments have some common-sense reminders for you in a bonus “City Desk” podcast. To listen to the 13-minute program recorded today at the Lopez-Quave Public Safety Center, click here.
City council: Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich has called a special meeting of the Biloxi City Council for Monday morning at 11. To see the agenda, click here.
Garbage service: The Harrison County Utility Authority says no garbage, recycling or trash will be collected Christmas Day. Collection will be a day later than usual for the week.
Holiday office closures: All non-emergency municipal offices in Biloxi will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday observance of Christmas.
