Oh, my! Boats, sharks and dogs converge on Coast Coliseum

It’s a little chilly outside but some people’s thoughts are already turning to warm days on the water!

The Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center opened its doors at noon today for the weekend-long Biloxi Boat Show.  The 60th annual event showcases the latest selection of boats, motors, personal watercraft and marine accessories.

The event also features the Fetch-N-Fish Dog Show, kids fishing seminars and new this year, the “Shark Encounter” experience. 

Tickets are $8 per person for ages 13 and older and children age 12 and younger get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket.  Event times are 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.

Second Liners and more: In east Biloxi, the Second Liners Mardi Gras Club holds its parade, with Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich as grand marshal, on Saturday at 1 p.m., begiunning at the Gruich Center.  Elsewhere, Cowboy Mouth & The Dirty Dozen Brass Band are at the Beau Rivage, Joe Nichols plays the IP, R. Kelly brings his “The Afterparty Tour” to the Coast Coliseum, and Regis “Rougarou” Prograis headlines boxing at the Beau.  At the Harrison County Fairgrounds, you’ll find the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Horse Show through March 19.  
See the Secondliners parade route
See a complete lineup of weekend events

 

A few suggestions to enjoy your Mardi Gras experience

Like most officers in the Biloxi Police Department, Major Jim Adamo has worked his share of Mardi Gras parades and special events in Biloxi.

This year, Adamo, who is the BPD’s operations commander, has suggestions for those looking to make the most of carnival in a two-minute video now in the Mardi Gras Central section of the city website.

The tips will even come in handy for this weekend’s Second Liners Mardi Gras parade.
See the video and other Mardi Gras news

 

S&P affirms city’s ‘AA-‘ credit rating 

Standard & Poor’s Financial Services this week affirmed the City of Biloxi’s excellent credit rating of “AA-/Stable,” based on the city’s economy, financial management and ability to pay its debt. 

An AA rating is the second highest on the 10-point scale, which ranges from AAA to D. An AA rating, S&P says, differs from the highest rating “only to a small degree.” An AA rating means the city’s capacity to meet its financial commitments is “very strong” while the highest rating, AAA, means a city’s capacity is “extremely strong.” 

 

‘City Desk’ podcast: It’s the all-sports edition

Forget about the Super Bowl. It’s old news. This week’s “City Desk” podcast is all about timely sporting events. The program, which was recorded Thursday at the Biloxi Veterans Administration Medical Center, features Biloxi Athletics Specialist Greg Eleuterius, who discusses the city’s youth leagues, and Marcus Mitchell of the Biloxi VA, who announces plans for a prestigious, week-long event coming to our community in May: the National Veterans Golden Age Games.
Listen to the City Desk podcast 

 

News and notes

Daddy-Daughter Dance: The fourth annual Daddy-Daughter Dance takes place tonight from 6 to 9 at the Donal M. Snyder Sr. Community Center.  The event is free and open to all dads and daughters.  To see the flyer, click here

Black History Program:  The annual Black History Month event takes place Tuesday, Feb. 21 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Dr. Frank Gruich Sr. Community Center.  To read more about the event, click here

Council meeting: The next scheduled meeting of the Biloxi City Council is Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. To see the meeting agenda, click here.

Paving in neighborhoods:  Oscar Renda Contracting this week began its largest round of paving, covering a dozen east Biloxi neighborhood streets.  To read more about the streets to be paved, click here.  To see images captured during the paving, click here