2 spring break events are a go in Biloxi, with Black Beach Weekend moving to summer
Social media is buzzing with word that spring break events are returning to Biloxi — and now both spring and summer events are on the schedule by two separate organizers.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Spring Break, also known as Black Spring Break on its social media pages, is scheduled for April 9-11 on the beach in Biloxi. That is the weekend after Easter and before the Mississippi Coast Crawfish Festival.
The company that has organized events under the brand Black Beach Weekend since 2014, announced on Tuesday that out of safety precautions for the coronavirus, it will host Black Beach Weekend August 27-29 at the Coast Coliseum.
Last year’s spring break was canceled because of the coronavirus.
This year’s events will follow the COVID-19 guidelines established by Gov. Tate Reeves, who on Tuesday signed an executive order lifting the mask order and occupancy or other restrictions for outdoor events, bars and restaurants. This order runs through March 31.
The pandemic is still canceling events across the country, Maurice Bryant, organizer of Black Beach Weekend, said in a press release.
“Under these unfortunate circumstances, we simply cannot provide the high level of fun, freedom and quality of entertainment that many have become accustomed to and expect,” he said.
Spring break on the beach
Spring break events in April won’t be held at the Coast Coliseum this year. Manager Matt McDonnell said he’s got Disney on Ice scheduled there April 8-11.
There won’t be parking available for spring break, he said, because of the Disney event at the Coliseum.
The event will be on the beach, from Edgewater Mall to Treasure Bay Casino, said organizer Nick Brundidge.
“We’re working on parking,” he said. He’s hoping parking will be allowed at Edgewater Mall and Edgewater Village, he said, which is needed to make the city’s traffic plan work.
Among the events are:
▪ April 8 — a welcome party and $1,000 Twerk Off at Club Thirty IV in Gulfport
▪ April 9 & 10 — Black Beach Gone Wild after hours party, wet T-shirt contest and twerk contest at Torio’s Bar in Gulfport
▪ April 10 & 11 — Black Spring Break Beach Party Extravaganza starting at 11 a.m. on the beach in Biloxi, with a battle of the DJs and battle of the sexes
▪ April 11 — Black Beach stripper bowl and $5,000 pole contest at Zodiac Dance & Night Club, Biloxi
Details about the event are on Facebook, on Instagram and Twitter.
“The majority of our events are outside,” he said. Health officials say outdoor activities are safer than indoor events, where the spread of the coronavirus is more likely to occur.
He is monitoring any changes to the COVID-19 guidelines in Mississippi, he said, and will follow those restrictions.
Will fans come in April?
Biloxi and Harrison County have no plans to close the beachfront for spring break, said Brian Dykes, the Biloxi Police Department special events and public information officer.
“Spring break is traditionally what we call a ‘decentralized’ event,” he said, “meaning there is no single point of contact and no formal ‘sponsored’ events. That being said, in the past we have had several individuals and LLC companies attempt to be the event sponsor, but to no avail.”
Dykes said the police department is monitoring hotel and property rentals to plan for the size of the crowd coming.
“We do this in order to ensure we have the manning available to provide emergency services to the population we serve and the traffic safety needed to handle this type of influx of cars and people,” he said.
An email sent to hotel operators in Biloxi and South Mississippi shows people are calling about booking rooms for the April spring break but haven’t made many reservations, said Linda Hornsby, executive director of the Mississippi Hotel and Lodging Association.
“We’re seeing a lot of pent-up demand,” she said. The three-day weekend for Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day in February brought more business to hotels in South Mississippi than the same weekend in 2020, just before the coronavirus began.
“From Day 1 the hotels started implementing procedures and it’s working,” she said, noting the association has had zero reports of any safety issues.
Summer Beach Festival
Biloxi Black Beach Weekend, the summer event, will have some of the regular features from past spring breaks, such as the concert at the Coliseum and a car and bike show, along with new events at other venues in South Mississippi.
Bryant said the spring event is not sponsored or produced by Black Beach Weekend LLC.
A full listing of events for Black Beach Weekend will be released soon on their Instagram and Facebook pages.
This story was originally published March 2, 2021 at 10:22 AM.
