News - Local

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009

Walkers needed to accompany first lady

OCEAN SPRINGS — Walkers are still needed for an afternoon stroll with first lady Marsha Barbour today.

Barbour is in Ocean Springs to film several scenes for a commercial promoting “Let’s Go Walkin’ Mississippi,” a campaign by Blue Cross Blue Shield encouraging families to get moving to get healthy.

Filming was postponed last month because of bad weather. Those who were scheduled for that shoot were called with new times, but walkers can still just show up today, said Pam Cleveland, a spokeswoman for Communications Arts, the commercial’s producer.

Walkers of all ages are needed for different scenes to be taped throughout the day, Cleveland said.

A tentative schedule includes filming on the Jackson County side of the Biloxi Bay Bridge at 7:30 a.m., the Ocean Springs Marina at 10:30 a.m., downtown Ocean Springs at 1:30 and back on the bridge at 3:45 p.m.

Barbour will be filming downtown and on the bridge in the afternoon.

Mayor Connie Moran and city employees filmed parts of the commercial Tuesday.

She said the city is honored to have the first lady bring her walking shoes to Ocean Springs.

“It’s a great inspiration for people to enjoy getting outside and embracing a healthy lifestyle,” she said. “We’re delighted to welcome her to Ocean Springs since so many of our citizens frequent the pathway on the Biloxi Bay Bridge and our beaches. I hope lots of citizens will show up to join us for this fun and exciting opportunity.”

John Sewell, director of corporate communications for BCBS of Mississippi, said the Let’s Go Walkin’ campaign has “seen great success” since it started in 2006.

Ocean Springs is one of several cities in the state to be featured in the commercials, which will begin airing next year.

“Ocean Springs has so many beautiful places to walk, whether it’s the (Biloxi) Bay Bridge or downtown or the beach,” he said.