Biloxi kicks off what is typically the biggest month of the year today, with the launch of the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo at Point Cadet.
The rodeo, which is positioned at the foot of the Biloxi Bay Bridge, is expected to attract as many as 20,000 fans to Point Cadet with its continuous entertainment, carnival rides, food, and, of course, plenty of fish on display.
”With the lack of rain, we’ve seen a lot of saltwater intrusion, which means the sharks are in,” said Michael J. Casano, the rodeo’s executive director. “We’re expecting to see a lot of sharks, big sharks. In fact, we’re already seeing some nice snapper being brought in these first few hours.”
Admission to the rodeo grounds is $5; children enter for free. Those attending should park north of U.S. 90, near the grounds.
Meantime, the Biloxi casino resorts, which traditionally enjoy their biggest month of the year each July, will be hosting a diverse collection of headliners. Among those appearing this weekend: Boyz II Men at the IP, Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald at Beau Rivage, LeRoux at the Isle, and the Molly Ringwalds at Hard Rock, which, incidentally, marks its second anniversary on July 7.
A fireworks display is planned for Saturday night at 9, with a $40,000 extravaganza expected to light up the nighttime sky.
Biloxi Police — who will be patrolling U.S. 90 throughout the weekend and particularly Saturday evening — remind motorists that parking along U.S. 90 is allowed only in parking bays. Vehicles should not park on center medians, and motorists should use extra caution, particularly in the viewing spots between Casino Row and the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor.
Online details:
— To see the weekend’s entertainment lineup, as compiled by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, click here.
—To see the website for the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, click here.
Olympic swimmers at the Biloxi Natatorium
Mayor A.J. Holloway this afternoon will recognize four Olympic swimmers who have been at the Biloxi Natatorium to train an international group of swimmers.
Olympians Neil Walker, Ian Crocker, Andrew MacKay, and Chris Kemp have been at the Natatorium this week to take part in a Gold Medal Swim Camp which featured swimmers from Australia, Russia, the Cayman Islands, as well as from Texas, Alabama, and throughout Mississippi.
Holloway will be on hand at 5 p.m. to present Certificates of Appreciation to the Olympians.
Inaugural hors d’oeuvres: The gift that keeps giving
Those attending the Parks and Recreation Department’s Seniors Dance this afternoon were in for a post-inaugural treat: Leftover hors d’oeuvres and table arrangements from the previous night’s Inauguration Ceremony greeted attendees at the over-55 affair, which was held at the Donal M. Snyder Sr. Community Center.
The dance was co-hosted by the city and Biloxi Regional Medical Center. A number of food trays – donated by Biloxi casino resorts – also made their way to the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen. To see the menu, click here.
News and notes
City holiday on Friday: Non-emergency municipal offices in Biloxi will be closed Friday in observance of Independence Day.
Updated info: Biographical and contact information for Biloxi’s two new councilmembers – Lucy Denton of Ward 3 and Clark Griffith of Ward 4 – is now on the city web site. Click on the names at left. Returning councilmembers are updating their biographical and contact information now.
Road work: To see the status report on road construction throughout the city, click here.
