Spring events return to southern Mississippi, and for the first time in two years, it’s a full schedule.
The Spring Arts Festival in Ocean Springs kicks off the spring festival season on the coast Saturday and Sunday, and celebrations and new events span all three counties.
A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Wall stands in Bay St. Louis this weekend, so people can stand in front of it to feel the same impact as they would at the Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
Only a few days a year, the Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum is open on the south side of Pass Road. It will happen this weekend at the Gulfport Train Show & Sale, when crowds enter to admire the train layouts that fill the 42,000 square foot building.
April is filled with events at the Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. Coast rock band 3 Doors Down return for CPR Fest, followed by a Spring Break comedy tour and the annual Crawfish festival, where executive director Matt McDonnell said event sales were the strongest. important that the place has ever attracted. “Biloxi is currently really considered a hot market,” he said.
Here is the list of major events on the Coast until April:
March 26-27 — Spring Arts Festival in downtown Ocean Springs, with over 100 artists, artisans and plant vendors, as well as live music, artist demonstrations and seminars. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free entrance
March 26-27 – Gulfport Train Show and Sale at the Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum, 615 Pass Road, Gulfport. Over 50,000 square feet of running model train layouts. Food trucks. Tickets: $10 per adult, $7 for military, $2 for children under 12, free for children 2 and under. Admission is first come, first served. Pre-register for free tickets on Eventbrite and pay at the door.
March 26 — Biloxi Craft Beer Festival, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at MGM Park. Sample local craft beers. Advance tickets $35, $45 on day of admission. Designated drivers are admitted for free but will not be served beer. Must be 21 to participate
March 24-27 — The healing wall at the former site of North Bay Elementary on Dunbar Avenue in Bay St. Louis. The replica Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, is open from 3 p.m. Thursday to 2 p.m. Sunday. Free entrance. Opening ceremony at 3 p.m. Thursday. Presented by Alice Moseley Folk Art & Antique Museum.
Until March 27 — Gulf Coast Winter Classics Horse Show. The final weekend of the 6-week event ends Sunday at the Harrison County Fairgrounds & Equestrian Center, 15321 County Farm Road, Gulfport. Free admission for spectators.
April
April 1-3 — Rapiscan Classic Systems at the Grand Bear Golf Club, Saucier. PGA Tour Champions event broadcast on Golf Channel. Spectator tickets start at $20 per day or $40 for all three days.
April 2 – CPR party at the Coast Coliseum, Biloxi. Coast’s hometown favorites 3 Doors Down starring Seether. Badflower, Nonpoint, Dead Poet Society and Giovannie & The Hired Guns also perform at the outdoor concert, rain or shine. Doors open at 1 p.m. General admission tickets start at $31. No seat provided.
April 2-3 — The art in the pass at Memorial Park, Scenic Dive, Pass Christian. 10am-5pm Approximately 100 artists from 10 states, silent auction, student art exhibition. Celebrate the Gulf Marine Education Festival is held simultaneously. Free entrance
April 7-10 — Mississippi Black Spring Break with a beach party Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Biloxi Beach and music and parties at venues in Biloxi, Gulfport and D’Iberville. See Facebook and other social media sites for schedule and details. Tickets at EventBrite.
April 9 — A Night with Louis Armstrong and the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Immersive Performing Arts Center, 2226 Swiss Road, Gulfport. Tickets start at $47.50
April 12-17 — Biloxi Shuckers home opener. Series against the Mississippi Braves at MGM Park Biloxi. Games take place at 6:35 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday and at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets start at $7.
April 16 — Comedy tour without ceiling at the Coast Coliseum at 8 p.m. Recommended for ages 18 and up. Tickets start at $59.75.
April 20-24 — Crayfish Music Festival on the front ground of the Coast Coliseum, Biloxi. Hot boiled crayfish and other foods as well as halfway walks. Main entertainment includes: Friday – Whiskey Myers, Bones Owens, Red Shahan. Saturday — Jelly Roll, Ernest, Jamie Ray. Sunday – Koe Wetzel, Pecos and the Rooftops. Concert tickets available through Ticketmaster.
