BILOXI SHRIMPING TRIP "MARDI GRAS PARADE RIDE!"

Be part of the most exciting event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast - Mardi Gras!  Ride on the Biloxi Shrimping Trip's Mardi Gras Mania Float!  Participants get to experience the "ride" of a lifetime!  Spaces Limited - Reservations Required!  Three parades to choose from - Ocean Springs Night Parade (February 12) North Bay Area Mardi Gras Assn (February 14) & Gulf Coast Carnival Association Parade (February 16) - Don't miss this unbelievable experience!  Call for complete details NOW!  Spaces filling up fast!  Reservations & Payment due by January 20!

"CARNIVAL ON THE COAST" MARDI GRAS - MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST STYLE!

"Carnival on the Coast" is an exciting season for the young to the old, locals, & visitors! Elaborately decorated floats throw "treasures" (trinkets like beads, stuffed animals, logoed cups, doubloons, food items called "Moon Pies" and more) to eager bystanders! "Throw Me Something Mister" is a familiar phrase yelled out by on lookers to the carnival "Krewes" on the floats as they pass by hoping to "scoop" up some of these exciting items! On the Mississippi Gulf Coast, there are 23 parades, with Harrison County holding 14 of the Mardi Gras celebrations - the MOST on the Gulf Coast; Jackson County hosts 4 parades & Hancock County 5 parades. The Mardi Gras Season attracts over 450,000 people every year and continues to grow in popularity. Harrison County parades held in Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, & Biloxi - Mississippi.

The addition of two NEW parades in 2009 makes "Carnival on the Coast" special! The Gulf Coast Carnival Association was the first Krewe in 1908 to parade on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with 17 floats. Today there are 23 parades, a long way from one parade with 17 floats, with each parade having 20 or more floats! In 2005, Hurricane Katrina slowed the celebration, but did not stop the carnival season. The party continued even under adverse conditions with each city holding smaller versions of their parades. Within the past 3 ½ years, the coast continues "Carnival on the Coast" with the party getting bigger & better every year!  **Awarded Southeast Tourism Top 20 Winter Event 2010!

Upcoming Mardi Gras Dates:

• 2010 - February 16
• 2011 - March 8
• 2012 - February 21
• 2013 - February 12
• 2014 - March 4
• 2015 - February 17
• 2016 - February 9
• 2017 - February 28
• 2018 - February 13
• 2019 - March 5
• 2020 - February 25
• 2021 - February 16

Mardi Gras Trivia:  The March 9^th and February 3^rd dates are extra special, because those dates only occur once in a lifetime, each occurring roughly once every 100-150 years. The next date of March 9^th is the year 2038. The closest many of us will see the Holiday to that date, in our lifetime, was 2000, and will hopefully again in 2011, when Mardi Gras will occur on March 8^th. On the other end of the spectrum, Very few of us will see the next February 3^rd date which is 2285! February 5^th was the earliest this century, which occured in 2008, the next one that early will be in 2160!

11th ANNUAL GULF COAST WINTER CLASSICS HORSESHOW

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February 10 - March 21

The Gulf Coast Winter Classic is a six-week United States Equestrian Foundation AA Rated Hunter-Jumper event highlighting some the sport’s finest equine athletes from across the nation! With approximately 1000 horses exhibiting and 12,000 spectators, this is the largest hunter/jumper show on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

Spectators attend free of charge with competitions running Wednesday through Sunday of each week. The horse show itself has three all-weather rings close to each other for exceptional viewing, a large beautiful grass field, and a covered arena with bleachers! Visitors are right in the middle of everything that is going on! Watching these graceful “beauties” compete is an experience!  **Awarded Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Winter Event 2010!

2nd ANNUAL MO-JOE FESTIVAL!

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February 11-14

PLEASE NOTE LOCATION & DATE CHANGE!

Get your Mo-Joe On...!  Come enjoy a family friendly festival with games, rides, music, crawfish, food & much more!  Get your Mo-Joe on and join in the fun!

2nd ANNUAL MO-JOE MARDI GRAS BALL!

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February 12

As the saying goes….Get Your Mo-Joe on and join in on an evening of FUN! Get introduced to the legend of Mo-Joe, listen & dance to exceptional live music!  Semi Formal Attire with Mardi Gras Costumes encouraged! When we say FUN…we mean it! Call for complete details & tickets!

2nd ANNUAL OCEAN SPRINGS CARNIVAL ASSN MARDI GRAS NIGHT PARADE!

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February 12

Parade begins @ the intersection of Ward Avenue & Government Street, rolls east on Government Street to Magnolia Street, South to Porter Avenue, West to Washington Avenue, North to Government & back to Ward Avenue! Hosted by the Ocean Springs Carnival Association!

12th ANNUAL BILOXI CHILDREN’S MARDI GRAS WALKING PARADE

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February 13

Children are encouraged to use their creativity & imagination in the display of costumes & decorations of their wagons, bicycles, etc. Participation is open to all children 12 years old and under (children under the age of 9 years old must have an adult walking with them in the parade) Children may walk, ride bicycles, wagons, skateboards, scooters or roller-skate/roller blade. Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask and/or a costume, and decorate strollers, bicycles and wagons as floats! 

Parade begins under the I-110 over pass on Howard Avenue and continue east on Howard thru the Vieux Marche Mall and turn south on Lameuse Street and end at the Biloxi Town Green.  Sponsored by the City of Biloxi!

3rd ANNUAL MARDI GRAS BED RACE!

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February 13

PLEASE NOTE LOCATION CHANGE - NOW BEING HELD @ IP CASINO - BILOXI!

Watch or participate in the MOST exciting event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast – the Mardi Gras BED RACE - A Demp Group Event! Entrants decorate a “bed” complete with headboard, footboard, mattress, blanket, & pillow with outlandish silly themes! The beds have wheels and propelled by human power only! Music, crawfish, children’s activities and more follow the race! A portion of the proceeds benefit The Salvation Army! This event is NOT TO BE MISSED!  **Awarded "2009 Southern Travel Treasure" by AAA's magazine, AAA Southern Traveler!

40th ANNUAL KREWE OF GEMINI MARDI GRAS DAY PARADE

February 13

Parade route through downtown Gulfport! Parade starts at 19^th Street and goes towards Highway 49, continues pass Hancock Bank & throughout downtown Gulfport!

4th ANNUAL BILOXI BLUES FESTIVAL

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JACKSON COUNTY CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 13

Family Fun for everyone! Parade begins at Pascagoula & Ingall Avenue to Market Street, continues north to Jackson Avenue then south returning to start! Lots of throws and family oriented parade!

KREWE OF DIAMONDHEAD MARDI GRAS PARADE

February 13

Approximately 30 units with mostly elaborately decorated golf carts unload beads, stuffed animals, candy and other Carnival treats to scores of outstretched hands! Parade begins at the Community Center and winds its way towards the Country Club!

KREWE OF LEGACY MARDI GRAS PARADE!

February 13

Newest Mardi Gras carnival parade on the Mississippi Gulf Coast! Floats, horse & buggies, golf carts, antique cars & more parade throughout a 5-mile circular route North of Interstate 10! The parade starts & ends @ Neco’s Market Place @ the intersection of Vidalia & Cable Bridge Road (Exit 24) – Exit North on Firetower Road to Vidalia Road, then east on Vidalia Road to Cable Bridge Road!

MISSISSIPPI SURGE HOCKEY LIVE!

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October - March

Live professional hockey returns to the Mississippi Gulf Coast! Come and experience the excitement of the Mississippi Surge Hockey team as they take on their toughest competition yet!

• January 1 & 2, 7, 21, 30 & 31
• February 5, 7, 19 & 20, 26 & 27
• March 11, 19, 26 & 27

HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME, WISH YOU WERE HER!

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February 5-7 & 11-13

Come enjoy this wild comedy about infidelity, double standards, midnight rendezvous, and a hungry bear! You won't want to miss this - you'll definitely wish you were HERE! Directed by Keith Gregory! Presented by the Biloxi Little Theatre!

HEART

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February 12

The musical duo best known for their hits in the 70's - performs live!

MONTGOMERY GENTRY

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February 12

The American country music duo - performs live!

2nd ANNUAL MARDI GRAS MAMBO-CUE!

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February 13

PLEASE NOTE - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED!

Join in on all the FOOD & FUN at Mardi Gras Mambo-cue - Pass Christian’s first nationally sanctioned barbecue competition! Professional barbecue competition teams from across the Country compete to win the title, music, rides for the kids, food vendors serving a variety of cuisine, and other vendors providing wares from arts and crafts to outdoor cooking products!

The Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) is the sanctioning body for the event! KCBS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbecue! It is the world's largest organization of barbecue and grilling enthusiasts with over 8,000 members worldwide! Sponsored by The Pass Christian Chamber of Commerce, and hosted by the City of Pass Christian! All proceeds benefit the Pass Christian Recreation Department!

JEFFERY OSBORNE

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February 13

American funk and R&B musician, songwriter, and former lead singer of the band, L.T.D. - performs live!

KAYAK MARDI GRAS MANIA WEEK!

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February 13-16

Enjoy kayaking all week long!  Have the adventure of a life time - Don't miss the FUN!

February 13 - Guided half day trip to Deer Island!
February 14 - Guided half day   trip on Upper Old Fort Bayou!
February 15 - Guided half day trip on the Pascagoula River and Poticaw Bayou!
February 16 - Guided half day trip to Deer Island!

**All trips weather permitting! Call for reservations & complete details on all tours!  Don't miss the FUN!

TREES IN THE FOREST

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February 13

Enjoy a short stroll learning how to use leaves, needles, bark, and even seeds to identify trees. 

SATURDAYS @ NEGROTTO’S!

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SATURDAYS

Come out & get tips on painting, art lessons, meet & greet local artists, enjoy refreshments and more! Bring out the artist in YOU!

WALKING @ SANDHILL CRANE!

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 SATURDAYS!

Enjoy nature at its best with a walk through the Wet Pine Savannah! Enjoy blooming pitcher plants and butterworts, migrating songbirds and all sorts of spring activities in the woods! Join a guide as you identify the plants and animals of the piney woods, savannah and the bayou on these short (about 1 hour & less than 1 mile) walks! No Registration Required!

CANVAS & COCKTAILS

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Bring your bottle of wine (or favorite beverage) and explore your creative side while having a night out! Art classes structured around a specific theme - with your own personal interpretation! Classes are for beginners as well as seasoned painters...the main objective is to have fun!!! At the end of each class you will leave with your finished masterpiece!!

CLASSES ARE HELD THROUGHOUT THE MONTH - CALL FOR DETAILS!

CLASSES @ MARY C

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CLASSES ARE HELD THROUGHOUT THE MONTH - CALL FOR DETAILS!

The Mary C offers classes for all ages that include oil painting, art, drawing, photography, field trips, etiquette & social skills, introductory boat building, creative writing, music, dance, pottery, piano & guitar lessons, and more. Call for complete details on all classes, times & admission.

WAXING POETIC: 3 ARTISTS EXHIBITION @ MARY C

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November 21 - March 30

Art exhibit featuring the works of Judith Burks, Mary Jane Parker, and Kat Fitzpatrick. The artist's works are in the form of encaustic paintings, of melted beeswax, resin, and pigment!

LIVE CONCERTS @ ISLE CASINO HOTEL BILOXI!

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Friday & Saturday

Kick off the weekend with live entertainment and nightlife excitement every weekend with great live bands & acts performing live!  Check website for complete listing of headliners!

PASS CHRISTIAN MARKET IN THE PARK

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SATURDAYS

Arts & Crafts from local vendors, plants, baked goods, hand crafter planters, produce (seasonal) and much more! Come out and find that item that you just can’t find anywhere else!

FLEA MARKET @ MENGE

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SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS

The Mississippi Gulf Coast’s largest outdoor flea market offers furniture, arts & crafts, plants, baked goods, concession stand and more! Featured on Turner South’s television shows Junkin’ and 3 Day Weekend!  Antique Trade Days held April & October!

BILOXI FARMERS MARKET

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TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS

Farmers will be present to sell their farm-fresh produce, plants, homemade baked goods, and more! The public is invited to stroll around the booths and acquire an array of fresh items!

CRANE TOURS!

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WEDNESDAYS & SATURDAYS!

The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge offers an excellent place to come & observe wildlife! Due to the sensitivity of both the endangered cranes and the wet pine savanna, visitors are asked to stay in designated open areas. The tours are first come/first serve and RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED! Wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes. Binoculars and scopes are available. The tours are geared towards viewing the endangered cranes, but they are classified as extremely rare birds, so sightings are not guaranteed. The tour is approximately 2 hours.

LIVE RACING @ GULFPORT DRAGWAY!

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WEDNESDAYS

Gulfport Dragway is an independent, ¼-mile asphalt-concrete pad drag strip on an elevation of 50 feet!  King of the Hill, Grudge, Test & Tune races are a few of the races held at this track!  Gulfport Dragway is located @ exit 31 off Interstate 10! Go south on Canal Road, cross over the railroad tracks go about one mile, turn left onto Racetrack Road, continue to Gulfport Dragway! 

2nd SATURDAY ART WALK!

2ND SATURDAY EACH MONTH!

Join the fine shops of Old Town Bay St. Louis as they host Second Saturday Art Walk…shops and art galleries…like Bay Books, Maggie Mays and more…feature open houses with guest artists, refreshments, music, food & fun!

OCEAN SPRINGS FRESH MARKET

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SATURDAYS

Ocean Springs Fresh Market is based on the great European food and plant markets, and in a small way recreates that wonderful atmosphere of great food offerings by small regional producers, plants and flowers grown locally, fruits and vegetables in season, herbs and herb products and even doggie treats for the four legged friends in your life!

THE LOST MURALS

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January 21-May 15

Exhibition showcasing just a few of the mural panels done by Walter during the Oldfields years, along with preparatory drawings and Shearwater ceramic figures inspired by the readings and designed by Walter Anderson.  Emphasized in this show is Walter's lifelong love for literature. 

HERSHEL LIPPMANN: A COLLECTOR'S PASSION

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January 22 - May 28

Enjoy a fascinating exhibit from the collection of Hershel Lippmann.  The collection primarily includes oils, watercolors, and the works of a number of international artists!   

"JOURNEY STORIES" - A SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE TRAVELING EXHIBIT

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February 8 - March 8

An interactive exhibit addressing migration and immigration as they relate to the American experience.  View engaging images, audio, and artifacts that tell stories & illustrate the critical roles travel and movement have played in building our diverse American society.  Several other events throughout the month include lectures on the fascinating history of Mardi Gras, Gulf Coast Carnival Association and more!  Call for complete details on each event! 

ADULT & CHILDREN ART CLASSES @ CABOOSE ART GALLERY!

Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Bring out the "Picasso" in YOU!  Learn to paint with pastels for children & adult!  Eenjoy creating new works with inspiration and individual attention.  Classes limited to 6 students!  Instuctor Tricia McDonald!