Memorials, gatherings, TV specials and the world premiere of a new Camille documentary will help mark this weekend’s 50th anniversary of Hurricane Camille decimating Biloxi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
It was on a Sunday night, just before midnight, on Aug. 17, 1969, that Camille, a Category 5 storm, came ashore, killing 143 people along the Coast before crossing the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, where torrential rains caused flooding and mudslides that claimed more than 100 additional lives.
“This is a solemn occasion for Biloxi and the Gulf Coast,” Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich said. “In addition to paying our respects to those who perished in the storm, we also view this as a reminder about the dangers of storms and flooding. In fact, that’s why we included the message from Mayor Holloway, which was filmed in August 2005, just days before Katrina caused such catastrophic damage. We must never forget, and we must always be prepared.”
Here’s a list of the Camille events:
Today
5 and 7 p.m.: Mississippi filmmaker Rex Jones has an updated look back at Hurricane Camille in “Camille: The Original Monster Storm,” which is having its world premiere today at the Biloxi Premiere LUX Cine & Pizza Pub at Edgewater Mall. Tickets to the Seafood Museum-sponsored event, $10 each, are available through the theater.
7 and 10 p.m.: BTV airs “A Lady Called Camille,” the original Camille documentary. The presentation includes an opening message from then-Mayor A.J. Holloway, filmed at the Camille memorial days before Katrina struck in 2005, and a closing by surfing enthusiast Mayor “FoFo” Gilich.
8 and 11 p.m.: BTV airs “Camille 45,” a reminisce with the late Danny Guice, who was Biloxi’s mayor when Camille struck in 1969.
Saturday
8:30 a.m.: Harrison County flower ceremony, Evergreen Cemetery, 3908 28th St., Gulfport
9:15 a.m.: Coffee with National Hurricane Center Executive Director Ken Graham and MEMA Executive Director Greg Michel, Harrison County Emergency Operations Center, 1801 23rd Ave. in Gulfport
5 p.m.: Memorial service at the Camille Memorial, former site of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, U.S. 90 at Bellman, two blocks east of Main Street, Biloxi. To see the program, click here.
6 p.m.: Dedication of hurricane room to Wade and Julie Guice, Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, 115 First St., Biloxi. Admission fee: $10.
6:30 p.m.: Memorial at War Memorial Park, U.S. Highway 90 and Flietas Avenue in Pass Christian.
7 and 10 p.m.: BTV airs “A Lady Called Camille,” the original Camille documentary. The presentation includes an opening message from then-Mayor A.J. Holloway, filmed at the Camille memorial days before Katrina struck in 2005, and a closing by surfing enthusiast Mayor “FoFo” Gilich.
8 and 11 p.m.: BTV airs “Camille 45,” a reminisce with the late Danny Guice, who was Biloxi’s mayor when Camille struck in 1969.
Sunday
7 and 10 p.m.: BTV airs “A Lady Called Camille,” the original Camille documentary. The presentation includes an opening message from then-Mayor A.J. Holloway, filmed at the Camille memorial days before Katrina struck in 2005, and a closing by surfing enthusiast Mayor “FoFo” Gilich.
8 p.m. and 11 p.m.: BTV airs “Camille 45,” a reminisce with the late Danny Guice, who was Biloxi’s mayor when Camille struck in 1969.
See the Camille memorial program
See BTV streaming and schedule updates
Video: See the surfing mayor
News & notes: Shuckers, weekend, council agenda
Shuckers: It’s the penultimate fireworks show of the season tonight at MGM Park. To see details on the Shuckers-Bay Bears 6:35 p.m. matchup and to get your seats now, click here.
Weekend preview: It’s true, there’s a diverse host of entertainment awaiting you this weekend. To check out the weekend lineup, click here.
City Council agenda: More than three dozen measures are on the agenda for the City Council meeting on Tuesday. To see the agenda and supporting documents, click here.
