BTV ushers in the holiday season with a new 20-minute program that gives you a preview and background on the city’s time-honored holiday traditions.
The traditions are not unlike the programming on BTV this month – some old and some new.
“Christmas Traditions in Biloxi” will tell viewers the story behind the story on the holiday lighting of the Biloxi Lighthouse (from Christmas to Twelfth Night), this month’s open house at the Visitors Center, the Children’s Christmas parade, Lighting of the Town Green, the Christmas in the City crafts show, and, of course, the centerpiece of it all, the Christmas on the Water Boat Parade.
The program – which ends with a preview of 10 Christmas events in Biloxi – airs at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. each day in December.
Downtown visions: Lee Young and Bobby Gillon of the District on Howard Avenue update the status of their downtown development work, and Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich talks about what Howard Avenue was and what it could be in a nine-minute program airing at 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. each day in December. You’ll see vintage footage of downtown Biloxi and a look as it appears today.
Honoring Biloxi firefighters: Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, Biloxi Fire Chief Joe Boney and Assistant Fire Chief Mark Dronet Sr. honored a host of Biloxi firefighters the other day for their heroic efforts in the past year. In fact, during the hour-long replay of the recent Biloxi Fire Department’s annual awards ceremony, you’ll see more than 100 presentations that recount acts of bravery and service in 2019. See the program daily at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on BTV.
The standards: You’ll also find the monthly updates of infrastructure work (6:25 a.m. and 6:25 p.m.) and Biloxi Public Schools (6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.) throughout December, along with our lineup of All Things Biloxi. This month, by the way, the infrastructure segment includes the first monthly update from Lane Construction, the firm working on infrastructure on Point Cadet.
Encore: We’re keeping a few other programs in the lineup for December: Police Chief John Miller and the Salvation Army discuss panhandlers in two programs airing throughout the month, and we’re also continuing to air the two “America’s Riviera” travelogues, one from the ‘50s (in black and white) and the other from the ‘60s (in living color). Why? Because we think they’re relevant.
How to watch BTV: If you live in Biloxi and have cable, you can see BTV on Sparklight Channel 56 or on AT&T Uverse Channel 99 (follow the prompts). If you don’t live in Biloxi or don’t have cable, you can watch BTV online at biloxi.ms.us/btv, where you can also see programming updates.
See the BTV December schedule
Biloxi Christmas festivities begin Thursday
Thursday, Dec. 5, Biloxi Lighthouse Holiday Lighting, 5:30 pm. Biloxi Lighthouse, south of the Biloxi Visitors Center. Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich and Santa turn on the Lighthouse Christmas lights. Refreshments, holiday music and visits with Santa Claus. Free. Details: 228-374-3105.
Friday, Dec. 6, Children’s Christmas Walking Parade, 6 p.m. Downtown Biloxi. Dozens of children in an assortment of rides parade from the Dr. Frank G. Gruich Sr. Community Center to the Biloxi Town Green. Free event. To see the flyer and route, click here.
Friday, Dec. 6, Celebrate Christmas on the Town Green, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Biloxi Town Green, 710 Beach Blvd. Mayor Gilich and Santa flip the switch to illuminate the Town Green Christmas lights. Enjoy hot chocolate and meet Santa. Free event. To see the flyer, click here.
Saturday, Dec. 7, Biloxi Main Street’s 15th Annual Christmas in the City, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Rue Magnolia and Water Street Arts District. Dozens of arts and crafts vendors, Santa, entertainment and pusharatas. Free to attend. Details: 228-435-6339.
See the complete lineup of Biloxi holiday events
News & notes: Weekly report, signs, council
The week that was: Last week, the Fire Department answered 144 calls for service, including 82 medical emergencies and six fires; the Police Department handled 1,739 calls for service; the Community Development Department issued 32 building permits with a construction valuation of nearly $350,000; and the Engineering Department continued to progress on projects throughout the city. To see the reports covering last week, click here.
Political signs: City ordinance states that all political signs not exceeding 16 square feet that advertises the campaign of a candidate for elected office is to be removed within seven days after the election. To read more about signage in Biloxi, click here.
Council: The Biloxi City Council will hold its first meeting of the month tonight at 6 p.m. The evening meeting will be held at Biloxi City Hall and is open to the public. To see the agenda and supporting documents, click here.
