What to do on MS Coast this weekend: Juneteenth events, festivals, unity walk, more
This weekend will be devoted to Father’s Day and Juneteenth celebrations on the Coast, with the last weekend of Summer Fair and baseball adding classic summer fun.
Juneteenth is a national holiday that commemorates the emancipation of African American slaves and events are scheduled across South Mississippi.
In Gulfport, Freedom weekend kicks off Thursday and the events continue through Sunday with an awards ceremony and freedom brunch.
Four events will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hundred Men Hall in Bay St. Louis, and the first begins Friday, when Ancestor’s Weekend filled with dancing, pageantry and African tribal customs.
Juneteenth events also are planned in Biloxi, Gautier and Waveland this weekend.
Here’s what’s happening in South Mississippi.
Thursday
OOMA After Hours, featuring the Ocean Springs Drum Circle 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, 386 Beach Blvd., Biloxi. Bring a percussion instrument — anyone is welcome to join the circle. Food and beverages will be available for purchase and exhibitions will be on display. Free. RSVP
Mary Spinks-Thigpen Oratorical Contest at 6:19 p.m. as part of Gulfport Juneteenth celebration at Isiah Fredericks Community Center, 3312 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Gulfport.
Friday
Home of Grace Golf Classic at 8 a.m. at Preserve Golf Club, Mississippi 57, Vancleave, to benefit those struggling with addiction. $700 per team; $175 per player
All About Baseball at Third Fridays Pascagoula, 5-8 p.m. in downtown Pascagoula. Baseball themed, face painting, live music, dunking booth. All Pascagoula baseball and softball players will be recognized, followed by a guest appearance by Coach Johnny Olsen, his coaches and the Resurrection Catholic School State Championship Team.
Cinema by the Shore at Jones Park, U.S. 90, Gulfport “Incredibles 2” is this month’s movie. Food trucks open at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk.
Ancestors Weekend — African Drumming and Dancing at 100 Men D.B.A. Hall, 303 Union St, Bay St Louis. 6-9 p.m. Admission Friday is free but those planning to attend are asked to RSVP. parking will be limited.
Juneteenth Kick-Off Party at 7:19 p.m. at Isiah Fredericks Community Center, 3312 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Gulfport.
Saturday
Woolmarket Duathlon Event is a 3 mile run, 11 mile bike and 1 mile run, 8 a.m. at North Woolmarket Elementary & Middle School, Old Woolmarket Road, Biloxi.
Juneteenth Unity Walk/Run at John Henry Beck Park to Oak Street and back begins at 9 a.m. Registration 7:30-8:30 a.m. The event honors notable people in the community.
Rover Run Dog Park Ribbon Cutting at 10 a.m. at the County Fairgrounds, 15321 County Farm Road, Gulfport. Look for the streamers at the dog park entrance.
Ugly Tie Festival in downtown Gulfport, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Vintage motorcycle show, food trucks, motorcycle cruise-in, rock-N-roll, beer garden, vendors.
A Celebration Of Freedom at 11 a.m. at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Herlihy Street in Waveland. Vendors, music, games, food, raffles, empowerment events. Free
Promenade & Festival at Isiah Fredericks Community Center and ballfields, 3312 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Gulfport. 1:19 a.m.- 7 p.m. Classic and custom car expo, 2-6 p.m. Music, food, children’s activities.
Juneteenth Freedom Festival, 1-4 p.m. at Gautier City Park, 914 De La Pointe Dr., Gautier. Hamburgers and hot dogs, face painting, snowballs, vendors, food trucks, music.
Cornhole for CASA, 2:30-4 p.m. in front of Chandeleur Island Brewing Company, 2711 14th St., Gulfport, during Ugly Tie Fest. $60 per team entry with 5 games guaranteed.
Ancestors Jubilee at 100 Men D.B.A. HAll, 303 Union Street, Bay St Louis. 7-11 p.m. $20. A pageantry of African Tribal customs and couture with Bamboula 2000 members, BYOB permitted.
Sunday
Jamii Awards & Freedom Brunch, 11:19 a.m., honoring Angie Juzang and Jeffery Hulum III. Isiah Fredericks Community Center, 3312 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd., Gulfport.
Treats for Dad at Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum, 522 Pass Road, Gulfport. Chillville Creamery will be on-site with ice cream for sale from 2-4 p.m. out back in the train yard. Event is included in regular admission price of $5 per adult and $2 per child.
Craft Cocktail with Taariq David at 4 p.m. concludes Ancestors Weekend at 100 Men D.B.A. HAll, 303 Union Street, Bay St Louis.
Ongoing events: Summer Fair, Bello, dinosaurs
Thru June 19 — Summer Fair at Coast Coliseum, Biloxi. Music, rides, vendors, food.
June 21-26 — Biloxi Shuckers vs. Pascagoula Blue Wahoos at MGM Park. Minor League baseball games start a 6:35 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday and 1:05 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $7
Thru June 23 — Funambula at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Biloxi. Comedy daredevil Bello Nock leads an international cast in this cirque-style production. Shows Monday-Thursday at 7 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets start at $12.95.
Thru Oct. 2 —Dinosaurs Around the World exhibit at Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets include aquarium. Adults $29.95 Children $24.95 Seniors $26.95
Through Nov. 27 — Sightseeing Cruise & Dolphin Quest Friday at 4 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday at 1 p.m. aboard Ship Island Excursions. Board at Gulfport Small Craft Yacht Harbor, 1040 23rd Ave., Gulfport. 90-minute shoreline cruise on a quest for Atlantic bottle-nose dolphins. Purchase tickets online. $26 adults, $18 children (3-10), $24 military/seniors 65 and older. 228-864-1014
Wednesdays thru Oct. 3 — Summer Movie Clubhouse at Gulfport Cinemark 16 theater. Family favorites begin at 10 a.m. $1.50 per ticket, plus taxes and fees. The June 15 show is “The Boss Baby: Family Business.” June 22 is “Angry Birds.” June 29 is “Scoob!”
Wednesdays and Thursdays — Summer Kids Fest movie series at Premiere Cinema, Edgewater Mall, Biloxi. Free movies from 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays during the summer. June 15-16 movie is “Sonic the Hedgehog.” June 22-23 is “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and Jun 29-30 is “Paw Patrol the Movie.”
Upcoming events
June 23-24 — Mississippi Marijuana Business Conference at South Beach Event Center, 1735 Beach Blvd., Biloxi
June 24 — Alan Jackson at Coast Coliseum, Biloxi
June 24 — Boz Scaggs at IP Casino Biloxi
June 24-26 — Scrapin the Coast at Coast Coliseum, Biloxi
June 25 — Pride Day at Point Cadet Plaza, Biloxi
More music and special events are listed on the Coastal Mississippi website.
This story was originally published June 16, 2022 at 5:50 AM.
