Car enthusiasts from over 35 states and Canada drive to the Mississippi Gulf Coast every year to cruise antique, classic and hot rod automobiles at designated stops along the Coast in Ocean Springs, Biloxi, D’Iberville, Gulfport, Long Beach and Bay St. Louis. Head down to the Coast October 2-9 for this week long block party festival featuring award winning automobiles and fun for the whole family!



In 2010, 4,854 cars were registered for the event making Cruisin’ The Coast® the biggest special event in the state of Mississippi! Each venue is set up as a mini festival with a stage for live bands, reserved parking for registered cruisers, spectator parking, and food and merchandise vendors. The week-long event includes cruise-ins, a VA Hospital Cruise, car auction, swap meet, car corral, and a parade. Spectators are welcome and will find that the cruisers love to talk "old cars." Cruisin' The Coast® was named the recipient of the "Shining Example Award" for Best Festival/Event of the year by the Southeast Tourism Society, one of the "100 Events for the Year" for 2001 and in 2011 by the American Bus Association and was also named a Southern Travel Treasure by AAA's magazine, AAA Southern Traveler. In 2007, the Automotive Restoration Market named Cruisin' The Coast® the 2007 Restoration Event of the Year!



Location of Sites:

• Registration Desk/Cruise Central: CentennialPlaza (formerly Gulfport VA grounds on Hwy. 90
• Mississippi Coast Coliseum, where our Swap Meetis held. (Not a stamping site.)
• D'Iberville at City Hall
• Ocean Springs in the Downtown area
• Edgewater Mall parking area on the West side ofthe Mall
• Bay St. Louis Downtown Area

For anyone that does not have a vehicle registered for Cruisin' The Coast®: You may park outside the Sites and walk in free of charge. Look at the vehicles, enjoy the music and have fun. Please do not touch the vehicles without the owner's permission. If you are interested in registering your classic or antique care for this event, on-site Registration will open Monday, October 3, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m at Cruise Central. Tuesday, Oct. 4 to Friday, Oct. 7, On-Site Registration will be open from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with Saturday registration open from 9:00a.m. to noon. On-Site Registration 2011 will cost $75 and will not include a participant t-shirt.



We hope to see you there!!

What’s a summer without watermelon? More importantly, what’s a summer festival without watermelon? Celebrate a true southern Mississippi festival this summer at the Mississippi Watermelon Festival and eat all the delicious, ripe, world-famous Smith County melons you want! With the exception of the mouth watering watermelon, enjoy live entertainment from artists like Andy Griggs and Katie Arminger, arts and crafts and tons of family fun. Try your watermelon seed-spitting skills at the watermelon seed-spitting contest or try your hands at the greased watermelon race and watermelon eating contest. An antique car show and motorcycle show round out this year’s activities.

So, make plans to bring the whole family, sit in the shade and enjoy the Mississippi Watermelon Festival July 15-16 in downtown Mize at City Park. No need to pack the watermelon!