Centuries of Maritime History Celebrated on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast
MISSISSIPPI’S GULF COAST – Mississippi’s Gulf Coast will be “decked out” with color as fishermen celebrate the beginning of the shrimp season with the Biloxi Shrimp Festival and the Blessing of the Fleet on April 30-May 1, 2005.
The Biloxi Shrimp Festival treats visitors to an all-time favorite that celebrates one of the most well-known industries on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. It features a scrumptious shrimp cook-off and dinner, evening dance, Mass, crowning of Shrimp King and selection of the Shrimp Queen.
The Great Biloxi Schooner Race in the Mississippi Sound is at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The Glenn L. Swetman will battle the Mike Sekul beginning and ending at the Biloxi Yacht Club. These two beautiful 65-foot double-masted schooners are replicas of the famous “white-winged” boats that harvested seafood in the Gulf of Mexico at the turn of the 20th Century. The schooners helped transform Mississippi’s Gulf Coast from a peaceful shore community into a thriving industrial center that earned it the title “Seafood Capital of the World.”
“The race is an awesome site to see with the majestic schooners flying all six sails,” said Robin David, executive director of the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum. “The Biloxi schooners actually used to race on the weekends when they weren’t harvesting seafood, so what better way to begin the Blessing activities.”
A Mass follows at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, the main sponsor of the weekend’s activities, is Saturday afternoon. An attraction in its own right, the church is a reflection of the area’s maritime heritage with a scallop-shaped roof and stained glass windows depicting the apostles as fishermen.
The Blessing of the Fleet, a Coastal tradition since 1929, takes place on Sunday just offshore in the Mississippi Sound. The dropping of an evergreen wreath commemorates fishermen lost at sea. This beautiful ritual which originated in Europe continues with over 30 decorated shrimp boats and 200 yachts processing past the anchored “Blessing Boat.” The Shrimp King and Queen accompany a Catholic Bishop who sprinkles holy water and confers a benediction, praying for full nets and the safety of the boat and crews.
“Visitors are treated to the true colors of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast during the Biloxi Shrimp Fest and the Blessing of the Fleet,” said Steve Richer, executive director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The activities of the weekend are twofold, with family and friends remembering Coastal history and heritage, and visitors enjoying a special Coastal tradition with food and fun for which our destination is known.”
Also the weekend of Blessing the Fleet is the Pass Christian Tour of Homes and the Ocean Springs Renaissance Festival.
The 29th Annual Pass Christian Tour of Homes takes place Sunday, May 1 and gives visitors the opportunity to stroll through homes dating from the 1840s decorated with all the charm and ambience of this picturesque coastal town. According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Pass Christian has “the largest architecturally intact major nineteenth century resort area in the South.” Hostesses will be on site at each home to welcome guests and explain special features. Please call the Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce for more information at 228-452-2252.
The Ocean Springs Renaissance Festival is a fun-filled weekend of period costume, blacksmith demonstrations, and enchanting faerie lore. The Festival is held at the beautiful Gulf Hills Hotel and Conference Center. For more information, please call 228-875-4424.
Headliner entertainment features Larry the Cable Guy at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino on April 30 at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
For more information on these and other events, contact the Mississippi Gulf Coast CVB at 888-467-4853 or visit www.gulfcoast.org. |
