Visitors to this year’s Old Biloxi Cemetery Tours will be able to meet some of Biloxi’s earliest and biggest promoters when the award-winning event kicks off Sunday.
“Greetings from Biloxi,” a tip of the hat to prominent tourism leaders of days gone by, will be the theme of the 11th 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 16 former notable Biloxians. 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:
Brandy Mills portrays Norita Lopez Yerger; Young and old Laura Hinsdale by Kathe Newcomb and Gracie Mills Nolan McSwain by A.J. Lawson; Mary Mahoney by Leonie Johnston Simmons; Capt. Louis Gorenflo by Bill Collins; Jean Guilhot by Jim Russell; Charles B. Foster by Jeff O’Keefe; Tony Ragusin by Clayton Pennylegion; Jean C. Delauney by Edmund Boudreaux; Cora White by Kelly Norris Olin; Sie Simon by Cree Cantrell; Gus Stevens by Bryan Rosetti; F. “Yankie” Barhanovich by Boyce Deaton; Dubaz Brothers Band by Mark Dubaz; and Lauraine Barbour Power of the Biloxi Little Theatre by Tina Johnston;
The cemetery tours are free, but donations are accepted.
Parking is available at the Biloxi Elks Lodge, 1178 Beach Blvd., 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.
In case of inclement weather, the Sunday tours will be cancelled. Call the Biloxi Visitors Center at 228-374-3105 for more information.
Print your own tour program
Gallery: Photos from last year’s tours
