New events and big changes when Cruisin’ The Coast returns to South Mississippi
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- Cruise Central returns to Jones Park, restoring the iconic Gulfport location.
- New events include Beatles tribute, Jimmy Buffett party, and second line parade.
- Autocross shifts to Scarlet Pearl's lot; Long Beach adds full-day car showcase.
Cruise Central returns to Jones Park on the beach in Gulfport, and that’s just one of the changes and new events on the way this 29th year of Cruisin’ The Coast.
A second line parade in downtown Pass Christian, a Beatles’ invasion at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, a Jimmy Buffett party in downtown Pascagoula and a preview event to the Long Beach parade are among the new twists this year across South Mississippi.
Veterans of Cruisin’ will recall when Cruise Central was at Jones Park at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and U.S. 49 in Gulfport. Centennial Plaza, which hosted Cruise Central for the last several years, now has two elaborate mini golf courses in play under the trees where the cars parked.
“Everybody got spoiled at Centennial Plaza, with all those beautiful oak trees,” said Woody Bailey, long-time executive director of Cruisin’ The Coast. A few oak trees and a large pavilion at Jones Park will provide some shade.
“The pavilion will be great for registration,” Bailey said. It’s also where to get Cruisin’ logo shirts and raffle tickets for the Make a Wish vehicle — a 1972 Chevrolet Super Cheyenne pickup. The Department of Marine Resources will set up there to hand out samples of fresh seafood on Monday and Tuesday before taking the free shrimp on the road to the Biloxi Block Party on Wednesday.
While individual shade tents aren’t permitted at Cruise Central, people will find shade at the dining tent and more tents near the stage at the boat ramp. “We’re going to have some shade tents set up close to where the entertainment is, so people can kind of enjoy that as well while the music is playing,” Bailey said.
The schedule is packed with events where Cruisers can admire cars and chat with their owners, and music is part of almost every event.
Bag of Donuts will play from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for the Welcome Back to Jones Park celebration at the Jones Park Stage. “Bag of Donuts is a pretty special band around here,” Bailey said, and they will play extended hours on the first of three days of entertainment at the Cruisin’ venues.
Hollywood Gulf Coast Casino will host both The Chee-Weez on Friday night, and the Super Saturday bash when Departure, a Journey tribute band, performs a free concert at 7 p.m.
New and upscaled events
Here are other changes and new events to look for this year:
Autocross is moving due to the construction of the Popp’s Ferry Road extension near the regular course at the Coast Coliseum. “Scarlet Pearl has been our sponsor for the Autocross for a number of years,” Bailey said, so now the Autocross Guys will set up driving course challenge in the north parking lot outside the casino. It’s free and open to registered cruisers only.
Show & Shine is new in downtown Long Beach, extending the Monday evening parade to a full day of cars and fun. Vintage cars will be parked at the Town Green and along Jeff Davis Avenue from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., said Courtney Walsh, community affairs director for the city. That will give an hour before the parade begins at 5. Public parking behind Bull’s restaurant at 300 Jeff Davis Ave. is an easy walk to the cars, the entertainment and food trucks.
Buffett & Bumpers Block Party on Thursday, Oct. 9, celebrates native son Jimmy Buffett and brings the cars back to the revitalized downtown Pascagoula for the first time in years. “We’re combining our love for Jimmy Buffett and cruisers,” said Susannah Northrop, Pascagoula Main Street director. The event is from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and Buffett Beach Band will bring the Parrothead vibes and restaurants and shops will be open. Downtown streets around Delmas Avenue will close at 1 p.m. to regular traffic and only registered cruisers will be allowed to drive in. The regular Cruisin’ venue remains at Beach Park.
Britishmania Beatles Tribute Party goes back to the ‘60s, following the band’s journey starting with The Ed Sullivan Show and continuing through the eras of Shea Stadium, Sgt. Pepper’s Magical Mystery Tour to the Abbey Road and “Let it Be.” Tickets are $20 plus tax and can be purchased at the Beau Rivage Box Office or by calling 888-566-7469. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Burn ‘Em Up In The Pass is already a popular event in Pass Christian and this year the Pass Christian High School Jazz Band will jazz it even more on Thursday night. For the first time, trophies will be awarded for Mayor’s Choice and People’s Choice for the best burnouts. The jazz band will add another twist, leading a second line parade down Second Avenue to the Cruisin’ stage to see the band Made In Stone.
Gulf Coast Nationals at the Gulfport Dragway will take the crowd back to 1967 with professional drivers competing in various categories in “chick magnet” 1955 Chevys, Corvettes, Dodge Falcons and other cars of that area, said Tommy Castanedo, track operator. All the cars are manual shift and are known to pop wheelies as they race the 1/8 mile track to the finish.
“It is so fan friendly, a great family atmosphere,” he said. “You can go into the pit area, meet the driver, see the cars up close.” Spectators can sit in the bleachers and visit the concession stand, or bring chairs and grills and cook out. Admission is $25 for one day, $40 for two days and kids 10 and under are free. Special parking is available for antique cars. Qualifying begins at 4 p.m. Friday and at 1 p.m. Saturday.
These are sanctioned events on the Cruisin’ The Coast schedule. Many more events pop up at churches, schools and other locations across the Coast, such as Flying High & Cruising Low free event at Trent Lot International Airport Oct. 4, combining the marvels of aviation history and automotive engineering.
This story was originally published September 29, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
