Visitors and classic cars fill downtown Gulfport during their View The Cruise on the first day of Cruisin' The Coast on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016.
John Fitzhugh
jcfitzhugh@sunherald.com
2026 is the new 2016, according to a new social media trend.
The viral trend has just about everyone — from celebrities to organizations to ordinary people — sharing nostalgic photos that recount what life was like a decade ago.
The trend started as several social media users voiced their desire to go back to 2016, with some people saying “everyone peaked” that year while others reminisced on a “simpler” time without pressures of an increasingly digitized culture.
So, what was 2016 like on the Mississippi Gulf Coast? Take a walk down memory lane with some of the most popular events that year.
Mardi Gras
The Carnival season is always significant on the Mississippi Coast. But do you remember where you were during Mardi Gras in February 2016? Here are some photos to help jog your memory:
JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALDKing d'Iberville Jim Hardaman tosses throws during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras Parade in Biloxi on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2016. JOHN FITZHUGH SUN HERALD
JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALDBrianna Adams of Gulfport calls for throws as she holds her godson Ataurian Adama, 1, during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras Parade in Biloxi on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2016. JOHN FITZHUGH SUN HERALD
JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALDRevelers call for beads during the Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras Parade in Biloxi on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2016. JOHN FITZHUGH SUN HERALD
JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALDThe Gulf Coast Carnival Association Mardi Gras Parade rolls up Lemeuse Street in Biloxi on Tuesday Feb. 9, 2016. JOHN FITZHUGH SUN HERALD
Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic
In April 2016, Biloxi hosted the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, a golf tournament ultimately won by Miguel Angel Jimenez who won by two strokes, shooting an 8-under 64, WLTX reported.
Here’s a look back at the tournament:
TIM ISBELL/SUN HERALDGibby Gilbert III hits out of the bunker on Hole #1 during first round of the the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic at Fallen Oak, Saturday, Apr. 2, 2016.
TIM ISBELL/SUN HERALDHogan the alligator has yet to make an appearance at the first round of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic at Fallen Oak, Saturday, Apr. 2, 2016.
TIM ISBELL/SUN HERALDMark Brooks hits his approach shot to Hole #1 during opening round the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic at Fallen Oak, Saturday, Apr. 2, 2016.
Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet
Since 1929, the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony has ushered in the shrimp fishing season in Biloxi, according to the event’s Facebook page.
Fishing boats came down the Biloxi Channel in June 2016 to receive a priest’s blessing for prosperity during the season, the Sun Herald reported.
Here’s a look back at the event.
JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALDBoats come down the Biloxi Channel on Sunday June 5, 2016 for the 2016 Biloxi Blessing of the Fleet. JOHN FITZHUGH SUN HERALD
JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALDThe Rev. Greg Barras blesses a passing shrimp boat as Shrimp Queen Paige Jimmerson and Shrimp King Frank Parker wave during the 2016 Biloxi Blessing of the Fleet in the Biloxi Channel on Sunday June 5, 2016. JOHN FITZHUGH SUN HERALD
JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALDBoats come down the Biloxi Channel on Sunday June 5, 2016 for the 2016 Biloxi Blessing of the Fleet. JOHN FITZHUGH SUN HERALD
Cruisin’ The Coast
Cruisin’ The Coast — an annual car show dubbed the “country’s largest block party” — celebrated its 20th anniversary, reeling in thousands of visitors on the opening day, the Sun Herald reported.
Here’s a look back at photos from the event.
Visitors and classic cars fill downtown Gulfport during their View The Cruise on the first day of Cruisin' The Coast on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. John Fitzhugh jcfitzhugh@sunherald.com
Kaiden Myles, 6, and his brother, Zavier, 10, of Lavadieville, La., look at the classic cars during Gulfport's View The Cruise on the first day of Cruisin' The Coast on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. John Fitzhugh jcfitzhugh@sunherald.com
Emma Ryan of Biloxi, left, and her niece Gail Jacinto of Dallas pull out of the Hardy Court parking lot in Ryan's 1990 Chrysler LaBaron on the first day of Cruisin' The Coast on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. John Fitzhugh jcfitzhugh@sunherald.com
Murtie Marie Parker, 2, of Gulfport rides blind as her father, Justin, operates her remote-control classic car at Hardy Court in Gulfport on the first day of Cruisin' The Coast on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. John Fitzhugh jcfitzhugh@sunherald.com
Natalie Demaree is a service journalism reporter covering Mississippi for McClatchy Media. She holds a master’s in journalism from Columbia Journalism School and a bachelor’s in journalism and political science with a specialization in African and African American Studies from the University of Arkansas.
