The award-winning Old Biloxi Cemetery Tours return Sunday, spotlighting prominent historic leaders of Biloxi.
“The Mayors of Biloxi” will be the theme of the tenth annual walking tour, which takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday and 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Old Biloxi Cemetery on U.S. 90, midway between the Biloxi Lighthouse and the White House Fountain.
Re-enactors will appear in character, telling visitors about the life and experiences of 17 former Biloxi mayors. The performances are continuous, meaning those attending can drop by anytime during tour hours to see all re-enactments.
The complete lineup in this year’s cemetery tours:
Raymond Caillavet portrays Sean Murphy; John Bousquet by Jim Rux; H.J. Meaut by Jim Russell; Edward Glennan by Edmond Boudreaux; Lyman Holley by Joseph Holley; F.W. Elmer by Bill Raymond; James Fewell by Clayton Pennylegion; Louis Braun and Katherine Jones Braun by Billy Miller and Brandy Mills; R. Hart Chinn and Vera Dukate Bond Chinn by Boyce Deaton and Amber Dawn; John O’Keefe by Jeffrey O’Keefe; Laz Quave by Laz N. Quave; Dr. Daniel Nash by Cree Cantrell; John Kennedy by Justin Kennedy; John Walker by Wesley Guthrie; Thomas J. Rosell by David Delk; John Bradford and Sarah Howard Bradford by Bill Collins and Kathe Newcomb; and Joseph Swetman by John Collins.
The cemetery tours are free, but donations are accepted.
Parking is available at the Biloxi Elks Lodge, immediately west of the cemetery.
The annual Old Biloxi Cemetery Tour has won state and regional awards for its attention to detail and research. The tour is produced each year by “Preserve Biloxi,” a group that includes the City of Biloxi, Biloxi Bay Chamber, Biloxi Main Street, Biloxi Public Schools, the Genealogy and Local History Department of the Biloxi Public Library, and the University of Southern Mississippi.
Print your own tour program
See photos from last year’s tours
See a sneak peek from Thursday night
See your video invite from “Mayor and Mrs. Hart Chinn”
