Posted on Thu, May. 17, 2007

BAY ST. LOUIS -- There is a buzz in this town like never before. Throughout Old Town or around Cedar Point today, there is a sense that something historic is about to happen.

The state Department of Transportation is putting the final touches on the long-awaited Bay St. Louis Bridge. Workers have plugged in a giant screen near the foot of the bridge, which will show the ceremonies and speeches from the top of the span in real time to the crowd of locals expected to gather near Beach Boulevard.

Business owners and county workers spent the morning preparing the grounds of the Bay-Waveland Yacht Club for today's Bridge Fest, a huge celebration set to begin at 4 p.m.

Just down the beach in Old Town, the enthusiasm was curbed this morning as merchants opened their shops. It seems this section of town is holding its breath, hoping rows of shoppers with deep pockets are on the other side of the bay waiting to stampede into the food-and-arts district.

"I hope people aren't making too much of this," said Donna Holt, whose mother owns Jack's Restaurant, a popular Waveland eatery that recently moved to the Bay. "I don't think there's a huge wave of people on the other side waiting to cross into Old Town."

Karen Price, co-owner of Bohemia, a funky novelty and clothing store on the first block of Main Street, spent the morning preparing her business for what she hopes will be the start of something profitable.

"Business has been very slow down here," she said. "We can't survive just from Second Saturday to Second Saturday."

Bohemia and other downtown shops have done well on the second Saturdays of each month, when the district holds its famed block parties, but Price is hoping the bridge brings weekday foot traffic back to Old Town the way it was before Aug. 29, 2005.

"I wish they would just open the bridge now," she said. "All of us have been waiting for this for so long, I wish they would have opened it at 6 a.m.; I'm ready."

There's a nervous feeling of anticipation among the towns folk who understand the significance of this day. Locals are anxious to see what awaits them on the other side of the bridge - they'll find out in a just a few of hours.

Today's ceremonies

Here is the schedule of events today for the dedication of the Bay St. Louis bridge:

2 p.m.

• Welcome and recognition of distinguished guests by MDOT Executive Director Larry L. "Butch" Brown

• Presentation of colors by MDOT Law Enforcement Honor Guard

• Pledge of Allegiance by Harry Lee James, chief engineer/deputy executive director, MDOT

• National anthem by Donna Torres, principal, Waveland Elementary

• Invocation by the Rev. Dennis Carver, Holy Family Parish, Pass Christian

• Introduction of speakers by Brown

Speakers

• Gov. Haley Barbour

• J. Richard Capka, administrator for Federal Highway Administration

• Beau Gex, district chief of staff for Congressman Gene Taylor

• William G. Hewes III, Mississippi Senate chairman, transportation committee

• Diane Peranich, Mississippi House of Representatives chairman, tourism committee

• Marlin Ladner, Harrison County Board of Supervisors

• Rodrick Pullman, president, Hancock Board of Supervisors

• Mayor Edward A. Favre, Bay St. Louis

• Mayor Leo McDermott, Pass Christian

• William G. Dorey, president/CEO, Granite-Archer Western

• Wayne Brown, commissioner, Southern District and chairman, Transportation Commission

• Ribbon-tying, Wayne Brown, platform guests and invited guests

3:30 p.m.

• Classic car parade over the bridge down North Beach Boulevard

4-8 p.m.

• Bridge Fest, North Beach and the Bay-Waveland Yacht Club

Do bring

Lawn chairs or beach towels for seating

Some cash. There will be vendors giving away both food and drink, but also beverages (non-alcoholic, beer and cocktails) and food will be available for purchase.

Don't bring

Ice chests

Parking

Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis is providing shuttle service, with support from Coast Transit Authority and Gulf Coast Transportation.

Shuttles will run from the Marketown Shopping Center at U.S. 90 and Dunbar to and from the festival site at Bay-Waveland Yacht Club from 1:30-8 p.m.

Do not park along the north and south service roads on U.S. 90 in Bay St. Louis. Roads will be closed to through traffic from noon to 8 p.m. from Second Street at U.S. 90 to North Beach and on North Beach at U.S. 90 to Felicity.

Residents along the routes are advised to limit use of these streets starting at 2 p.m.

Boats

Anyone inquiring about docking boats should be directed to Susan Magee at 493-0278

Bridge Fest

What: Bridge-opening celebration with more than 130 booths from Coast businesses, two live music stages, food, and five cash bars for cold drinks and beer. Performances by Pat Murphy Band and Shea Michaels Band.

When: 4-8 p.m. Thursday.

Where: Beach Boulevard, Bay St. Louis, at the foot of the bridge near the Bay-Waveland Yacht Club.

Details: Bring lawn chairs, beach towels for seating; ice chests are not allowed.

Parking: Hollywood Casino will provide shuttle service until 8 p.m. Public parking will be available at Market Town Shopping Center at U.S. 90 and Dunbar Avenue.