The Charles R. Hegwood Biloxi Farmers Market launched a new season today with dozens of vendors offering a host of farm-fresh produce, homemade jams and jellies, baked goods, plants and, new this year, arts and crafts.
Biloxi Civic Innovation and Development Officer F. Cliff Kirkland and Parks and Recreation Director Cheryl Bell welcomed the vendors and public in a brief ceremony in the shade-filled site on Howard Avenue at the I-110 overpass.
Arts and craft vendors are new to the market this season and must be approved in advance. Artists, crafters, and farmers interested in participating should contact Tina Cowart with the Parks and Recreation department by calling 228-388-2443 for product approval and permits that may required to sell such items as poultry or eggs.
See photos from this morning
Visit the Farmers Market page
It’s Margaritaville, brought to you by the White House folks
Everybody’s excited about the return of Jimmy Buffett and the Margaritaville brand to Biloxi, Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich says, but he also tipped his hat to the people who are making it happen.
Leaders with Barrington Development Group on Sunday announced that the refurbished Casino Magic on Point Cadet will be a new Margaritaville Resort, with a massive family entertainment center open to the public that includes an indoor zip-line roller coaster, hundreds of arcade games and a four-story volcano rock-climbing wall.
The resort won’t have a casino but will instead offer 373 guest rooms, 83 suites, restaurants, bars, and much more inspired by the works and music of Pascagoula native Jimmy Buffet. The resort is currently accepting reservations for June 30 and beyond.
“We’d like to congratulate Barrington Development on their growing investment in Biloxi,” Gilich said. “They returned the historic White House Hotel to us and now they’re doing the same with a property that has been deteriorating since Hurricane Katrina. And once Margaritaville is open, they’re going to start renovating the old Santa Maria del Mar into another quality hotel.
“It’s a testament to the strength of our tourism market that abandoned properties are not only being brought back to life after 10 years, but are being upgraded and expanded to provide new amenities that will attract new visitors.”
Added the mayor: “This is another complement to our ongoing efforts to create a new waterfront experience across Biloxi that will help improve our lifestyle and attract new visitors and residents.”
Read the official Margaritaville announcement
See the Margaritaville website
Library hosts child descendant research program Saturday
The Local History and Genealogy Department will host “When the Stork Drops In” on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Biloxi Public Library, 580 Howard Ave. The program will highlight the department’s existing resources to assist individuals tracing child descendants.
The free program will offer remedies to stumbling blocks that may be encountered in genealogical research. Â Topics range from superstitions and predictions about childbirth to a comparison of baby names from 1915 and 2015.
Several displays will be available for viewing, including early 20th century baby clothes from the Frances Stark Collection, a collection of Golden books, and other heirloom children’s items as well as a special display of Walter Anderson reproductions depicting nursery rhymes. Details: 228-435-4613
News and notes
Biloxi Visitors Center employee recognized: Historical Administrator and Biloxi Visitors Center Manager Bill Raymond was presented with the Seven Seals Award for significant individual and organizational achievement, initiative, and support for the Employer Support of Guard and Reserve Program. The ESGR promotes cooperation and understanding between service members and their civilian employers. To see a photo, click here.
Indian Nation 5K: Biloxi Public Schools host the third annual Indian Nation 5K on Saturday, April 23 at the Biloxi Town Green. The 5k will begin at 9 a.m., is open to various ages and requires registration. For a registration form, click here.
The week that was: To see the weekly activity reports from the Biloxi Fire, Police and Community Development departments, click here.
City Council meeting: The Biloxi City Council meets this evening at 6 at City Hall. To see the agenda and supporting documents for the meeting, click here.
‘I am Biloxi’ a hit: OK, politics aside, the Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich’s “I am Biloxi” and “Rocket Scientist” spots in last year’s mayoral election have won a slew of local and national political advertising awards, including Addys, and prestigious Telly and Pollie awards. To see the awards announcement by The Prime Time Agency, click here. To see the revamped version of “I Am Biloxi” that is now used as a video introduction to the city, click here.
