The big talk at Edgewater Mall, of course has been the new eight-screen movie theater – scheduled to open later this month – and the new trampoline center, but there’s something pre-historic lurking at the mall this weekend.
Prehistoric Dinosaur Adventures, a free attraction that began today at the mall, combines a unique mobile prehistoric walk through Dinosaur Museum and a thrilling up-close encounter with the king of dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus Rex.”
The attraction, which is near Belk’s, is open today until 8 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
“Families are amazed and thrilled as they interact with a life-size dinosaur and his handler Jim ‘The Dino Guy,'” says Mall Manager Terry Powell. “Kids can take part in the exciting Dino Kids Challenge games and families are welcome to take photos with the outdoor dinosaur theme cutout standup.”
It’s also an educational exhibit, Powell says: “The museum gives a great opportunity to see a mixture of fossils and skeletons up-close. Kids can explore nature with the bug specimen microscope, and you’ll find historical facts, pictures, large and small fossils, and multi-media.”
Also this weekend is the return of the largest gift show in the South.
The 2018 Ron Meyers Christmas City Gift Show returns to the Mississippi Coast Coliseum for three days beginning today. The holiday extravaganza features more than 300 vendors selling home décor, jewelry and accessories, scrapbook supplies, handmade heirlooms, fashions for children and adults, framed art, fragrances, and more.
Tickets are $10 for single-day pass, $15 for Shoppers Paradise, and free for children age 15 and younger. The show is open today until 4 p.m. with the private shopping event, Shoppers Paradise, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Then on Saturday, doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
See more about the dinosaur adventure
Visit the gift show website
Annual Veterans Day Parade rolls on Saturday
The 18th annual Gulf Coast Veterans Day Parade rolls on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. in downtown Gulfport.
The parade, which alternates cities each year, will consist of hundreds of units including marching bands, JROTC groups, military units, and several community and civic groups. U.S. Marine Sgt. Thomas E. “Butch” Harris, a Mississippi transplant who served in Vietnam, will be this year’s Grand Marshal.
See the parade flyer
Margaritaville comes forward, bigger and with a twist
The much-anticipated next phase of Margaritaville, the family resort in east Biloxi, takes a step forward as the project appears on the City Council agenda next week. What’s new: It’s now up to $200 million, with a hotel tower, Ferris wheel and other amusements on the south side of U.S. 90, and a hotel on the north side of the highway. The City Council is being asked by Mayor Andrew ‘FoFo” Gilich to approve a preliminary agreement between the developers and the city that would use new tax money to help fund the project.
See the City Council agenda and supporting documents
See the Margaritaville ‘green light’ announcement, June 2018
See the original expansion announcement, October 2016
See the original Margaritaville opening announcement, April 2016
News & notes: Mayor’s Cup, fish fry, holiday, gaming
Mayor’s Cup, fish fry: Also happening this weekend is the 35th annual Mayor’s Cup 5K Run on Saturday in downtown Biloxi, the Corn Hole Tournament and Fish Fry benefiting the Biloxi Firefighters Association at Biloxi Point Cadet Pavilion and over at the casinos, Willie Nelson & Family and Jefferson Starship will each be at the IP, Champions of Magic will put on a show at the Beau Rivage, and Dennis DeYoung will perform at the Hard Rock. See the Mayor’s Cup registration form, click here, the Corn Hole Tournament flyer, click here and a complete weekend lineup, click here.
Holiday: All non-emergency municipal offices in Biloxi will be closed Monday in observance of Veteran’s Day.
Gaming: The latest report on state gaming tax collections and disbursements in Biloxi is now posted in the Gaming section of the city website. To see the state and local reports from Day 1, and to see where gaming dollars have been dispersed, click here.
