Where to celebrate July 4th on the Coast, and how to stay safe while doing it
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- The Coast is set to host nearly 20 free events this Fourth of July weekend.
- Local fire officials warn against relighting dud fireworks to avoid injuries.
- Veteran-owned Nuclear Fireworks promotes safety and product knowledge onsite.
With nearly 20 events scheduled for the Fourth of July weekend, the Mississippi Coast promises plenty of free festivities for everyone to enjoy. As crowds gear up in red, white and blue, local organizations and officials are urging revelers to celebrate safely.
Nuclear Fireworks owner Shari Matchell said her most popular sales this season are the 60- to 500-gram multi-shot aerial repeaters.
“The stuff that is big, bright and beautiful in the sky, like you would see at a commercial fireworks show,” Matchell said.
According to Matchell, what sets Nuclear Fireworks apart is that it’s a local, veteran-owned business with a strong focus on customer safety.
“We really try to educate the customer,” Matchell said. “We know every single product that we sell because we’ve lit it up at least once, so there’s no surprises.”
Biloxi Fire Department Assistant Chief Wes Small warned against attempting to reignite a firework that did not explode after the first attempt.
“People think that it didn’t explode, and they’ll get close to it and try to reignite it and then it gets them,” Small said. “You always want to have a bucket of water or your water hose near you.”
Small said used and dud fireworks should be saturated with water and disposed of. According to Small, fireworks should only be lit one at a time, or as directed on the packaging.
“People like to manipulate fireworks and put a bunch of them together and light them all off at once,” Small said. “That results in a lot of injuries.”
Fourth of July events
Friday, July 4
10 a.m. to 11 p.m. OLG Crab Fest, Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church
12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 77th annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, Jones Park
5 p.m. Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza, Keesler Federal Park
6 p.m. Fins, Fireworks & Frosty Beers, Mississippi Aquarium
7 p.m. Gulfport Fireworks Cruise, Ship Islands Excursions Gulfport
7 p.m. Fourth of July Beach Vibez, Jones Park Beach
8:45 p.m. City of Pascagoula Fourth of July Fireworks Show, Beach Boulevard
8:45 p.m. City of Gulfport Fourth of July Fireworks Show, Gulfport Beach, Jones Park and Gulfport Municipal Marina
9 p.m. Biloxi Fireworks Show on Deer Island, between the Biloxi Lighthouse and Biloxi Bay Bridge
Saturday, July 5
8 a.m. Crab Fest 5k & Fun Run, Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church
10 a.m. to 11 p.m. OLG Crab Fest, Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church
12 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. 77th annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, Jones Park
Sunday, July 6
- 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 77th annual Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, Jones Park
This story was originally published July 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
