Various spectators enjoyed the Biloxi Boat Show

BILOXI-- The Biloxi Boat Show had strong participation on Saturday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.

Many participants ranged from the Coast to parts of Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana to view the countless boats and exhibitions. Several children participated in the dog show.

Watercraft ranged in size from six-foot long kayaks to large boats.

Damion Cuevas and his family drove down from Hattiesburg after hearing about the boat show from a friend.

"This is a good family outing to see what they have here," said Cuevas, a Hancock County native.

Joey Runnels and Selena Canoy of Gulfport both have attended the Biloxi boat show for almost 15 years.

"We like the atmosphere," said Runnels. "We come every year to just dream and look. We have friends with boats, so we don't have to buy one yet."

Ocean Springs resident Tanner Swetman turned the Boat Show into a family event.

"This is great," Swetman said. "It's been a couple of years since I've been to the Boat show. I've really enjoyed looking at the Boston Whalers, the Black Jacks. I know that Ocean Marine has a new Key West in. Those are pretty boats as well. Boats have really changed in the past decade. There are a lot more family offerings."

Angie Jones, Liz Thornburg and Maranda Cuevas all enjoyed the different vendors.

"Maranda's looking for accessories for her boat," said Jones. "We're looking at clothes and the bamboo pillows and sheets."

Tyler and Robin Pitts made the drive from Mobile with her parents, who are considering buying a boat.

"He's been standing by one for about an hour," said Tyler Pitts. "This is very nice. This is our first time here. We usually go to the one in Mobile. They have some different brands that they don't have over there. I come here for the crab legs."

Chris Karcher of Ocean Springs took his three sons to the Boat show and had a great time.

"I don't own a boat yet, but this is exciting," Karcher said. "We always like coming here. There's a lot of fun things for the kids. The excitement starts in the parking lot with the big boats out there."

Lysunder Williams of Gulfport brought his son and daughter with him to the show.

"Maybe a year from now," said Williams. "I'm looking for a boat about twenty feet long, something I can take the family fishing in."

D'Iberville's Ronald Curseen also enjoyed the show.

"The exhibitions are very good. The atmosphere is very good," Curseen said. "It's really family oriented. They have activities for the kids. My son actually caught a fish. He's caught a fish before, but to see a fish and catch it, makes all the difference in the world."

Added Amy Fazzio of Vancleave: "It's just a fun family event. We saw the dog show. We love it. They've had fun getting on all the boats, and he did the kayaking. There's a lot of fun things for the kids."

This story was originally published March 5, 2016 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Various spectators enjoyed the Biloxi Boat Show ."