Grillin, runnin’ and paradin’ on tap for St. Pat

Downtown Biloxi will host a full day of St. Patrick’s Day activities on Saturday, highlighted by a Hibernia Marching Society parade that will see more than three-dozen entries.

The day actually begins with a 5K run through downtown Biloxi. The one-mile health run or walk begins at 9 a.m., and the 5K begins at 9:30 a.m. For details on prizes and the route, click here.

Meantime, more than 28 teams have signed up to take part in Grillin’ on the Green, where teams of backyard barbecue enthusiasts will compete for more than $5,000 in cash and prizes. Visitors to the Town Green between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. will be able to sample ribs, brisket, grilled oysters and see a wealth of arts and crafts booths at this event, which the Southeastern Tourism Society has for three years now billed as one of its Top 20 winter events.

At 2 p.m., the Hibernia Marching Society’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade will begin, with Grand Marshall Chipper McDermott, also known as the mayor of Pass Christian, and Colleen Laura Denise Dunaway-Ozerden. Additionally, the parade will feature the Biloxi High School band, ROTC groups, the Joppa Shriners, the Red Hat Society and a host of clowns, all Irish, of course.

To see the St. Patrick’s Day parade route, as provided by the sponsoring Hibernia Marching Society, click here.

News and notes

Weekend preview: To see details on the overall entertainment linedup for this weekend, courtesy of listings from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, click here.

Council preview: The City Council during its meeting on Tuesday is expected to vote on a proposed smoking ordinance, a proposal to allow condominiums to be constructed on Deer Island, and a measure to borrow $6 million to install electronic water meters for the city’s water customers. Council members also will hear details on seven more commercial properties that could be designated as blighted. To see the complete agenda and available resolutions, click here.

Webcast preview: Indiana State Troopers who came to the aid of Biloxi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina now face their own challenges in the aftermath of deadly tornadoes, and Sgt. Jackie Rhodes of the Biloxi Police Department explains how Biloxians can help this weekend. Learn more in this week’s “City Desk” webcast. To listen to the 13-mintue program, click here.