You can expect to see costumed individuals from one end of Biloxi to the other this weekend, with the wearing o’ the green in downtown Biloxi and a huge science-fiction/fantasy convention underway at the Coast Coliseum.
But the big question is the weather. Will it rain? The National Weather Service says there’s a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms on Saturday, mainly after 9 a.m. Skies will be cloudy, with a high near 75.
Weather will not be an issue at the Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, where the 41st Annual CoastCon Science Fiction/Fantasy Convention is taking place. The three-day fete, which opened today at noon and continues through Sunday, celebrates science fiction, fantasy and related literary, artistic and media genres, as well as fans of those genres.
The roster of events and offerings includes panels and programs on writing and publishing, gaming (role-playing, miniatures, electronic, and live action), art, film and animation, costuming, music, and the future of technology and space exploration.
Meantime, the Biloxi Town Green will host the daylong Grillin’ on the Green Saturday, more than a hundred arts and craft vendors, continuous live music and two dozen grill teams on the Biloxi Town Green, competing for $6,000 in cash and prizes and many selling their brisket, chicken or ribs to the public.
The annual Hibernia St. Patrick’s Day Parade rolls at 2 p.m., with Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich, masquerading as an Irishman for the day, serving as grand marshal. You’ll also find a 5K run through downtown beginning with a one-mile run at 9 a.m.
See more on CoastCon
See more on St. Patrick’s Day events
See the St. Patrick’s Day traffic plan
See the overall weekend lineup
News and notes: St. Pat’s Dance, City Desk, Council agenda
St. Pat’s Dance: The Biloxi Parks & Recreation Department will host its annual Special Needs St. Patrick’s Day Dance tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Donal M. Snyder Sr. Community Center. The event is free and open to all ages with physical and mental disabilities. To see the flyer, click here.
City Desk: Hear more about the St. Patrick’s Day events, including Grillin’ on the Green from the Biloxi Downtown Service Manager Kay Miller, in this week’s edition of the City Desk podcast. To listen, click here.
City Council: The Biloxi City Council will hold its next meeting on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at Biloxi City Hall. To see the council agenda and supporting documents, click here.
