Boats, children and runners on parade this weekend

Mardi Gras is just around the corner, as evidenced by the host of carnival events taking place this weekend, and you could say there’s a parade, of sorts, of boats this weekend at the Coast Coliseum.

Doors open at the Coast Coliseum and Convention Center today a noon for the weekend-long Biloxi Boat Show. Touted as the best place to see all new boats in one location, the boat show will have hundreds of models and brands on display and for sale. The show offers fishing gear, towers, motors, trailers, electronics, personal watercraft and marine accessories.

You’ll also find activities such as the popular Fetch-N-Fish Dog Show, as well as several fishing seminars for kids and kayak demonstrations. Tickets are $8 for an adult ticket, ages 13 and older, and free for ages 12 and younger with the purchase of an adult ticket. The Biloxi Boat Show is open today from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Also this weekend are the Mardi Gras events.

The annual Biloxi Children’s Walking Parade, designed to provide a taste of the carnival experience for those age 12 and younger, begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday on Howard Avenue at the I-110 overpass and will travel downtown to the Mardi Gras Museum, 119 Rue Magnolia.

Theme is “The Ride of Your Life” celebrating history-making rides. Participants will be costumed and decorate their bicycles, wagons, strollers and the like accordingly.

“We have 275 children pre-registered,” Biloxi Historical Administrator Bill Raymond said.  “Late registration will be at the Mardi Gras Museum beginning at 9 a.m. and we will also have costume and float costumes, arts and crafts, refreshments and music by Black Water Brass.”

Before the parade, the Gulf Coast Carnival Association will host its sixth annual Run for the Beads from the Mardi Gras Museum, 119 Rue Magnolia to the Biloxi Town Green.

The event includes a one-mile fun run and a five-kilometer run. 

Elsewhere this weekend: The monthly First Friday event takes place downtown, the 2nd annual Krewe of Barkloxi’s Bow Wow Parade will be at the Biloxi Town Green, Beethoven & Blue Jeans will be performed at the Saenger Theater, Rodney Carrington will be at the Beau Rivage, Great White & Slaughter are at the Hard Rock, and Tracy Lawrence will be at the IP. 
See a complete weekend line-up
See the Biloxi Community Calendar
See more about the Biloxi Boat Show
See the Children’s Mardi Gras Walking Parade flyer
See the Run for the Beads flyer

 

Women in Construction program seeks students

The Women in Construction program at Moore Community House in Biloxi, which has graduated more than 400 women since 2008, is now enrolling for its next class, and you can find out more during an information session on Feb. 7.

The free, full-time, eight-week basic construction course provides students the needed tools to enter the construction trade and advanced manufacturing industries, including hands-on skills, industry-recognized credentials, and job placement and case management assistance.
Read the full story

 

News and notes: Podcast, sports registrations, city council

City Desk podcast: In this week’s second edition of the City Desk podcast, recorded on Thursday at Biloxi City Hall, you can get a review of the State of the City and a preview of Mardi Gras happenings in Biloxi.  To listen, click here

Baseball and softball registration:  The Parks & Recreation Department will hold registration for its baseball and softball leagues on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Donal M. Snyder Sr. Community Center, 2520 Pass Road.  For more information and to view the flyer, click here.

Council meeting:  The next meeting of the Biloxi City Council will be Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. at Biloxi City Hall.  To see the agenda and supporting documents, click here.