Students from Biloxi and St. Patrick Catholic high schools will again portray noted Biloxians buried in Biloxi City Cemetery during a cemetery tour this evening at 5:30.
Also during the ceremony, Mayor A.J. Holloway will recognize contractor Kenneth R. Thompson, the contractor who oversaw the award-winning restoration of the oldest section of the beachfront cemetery. Thompson next week will receive a first place Award of Merit from the Mississippi Associated Builders and Contractors for his work at the cemetery.
Among those who will be portrayed during the free tour are Biloxi Lighthouse keepers Maria Younghans and her daughter, Miranda; Dr. Andreas Byrenheidt, who treated 1853 yellow fever victims; Professor M.F. and Mrs. Fannie Nichols, namesakes of Nichols school; Cora White, the founder of the White House Hotel; and Harriet Aken, who lived on Deer Island.
Students participating in the event will be Corey Gaspard, Brandon Pace and Lashanti Washington of Biloxi High, and Rachel Bergeron and Jennifer Diaz of St. Patrick.
Free refreshments on the tour will be provided by Beau Rivage Resort & Casino. Parking will be available in the Elks parking lot, immediately west of the cemetery.
The cemetery tour is being sponsored by the Biloxi Bay Chamber of Commerce and the city.
For background on the cemetery restoration, click here.
News and notes
Halloween safety tips: Biloxi Police have a number of tips for parents and trick or treaters who plan to walk neighborhoods Friday evening. To read the advice, click here.
Halloween costume photos: Dozens of children took part in the costume contest on the Town Green on Saturday, which was part of Main Street Biloxi’s Halloween on the Green. To see more than 150 photos of contestants, click here.
Lamar artwork: Lamar Advertising, as part of its continuing partnership with the city, is displaying a trio of images on its digital billboards to call attention to this evening’s cemetery tour. To see the images, click here.
Keesler haunted house: Keesler’s 81st Civil Engineers Squadron has created a haunted house that will be open to the public tonight only. For information about the event, click here.