Page 212 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2017

story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos by John Stricklin
CRUISIN’ revvin’ up
et ready
for America’s largest block party as vehicles roll in
from all across the country October 1-8. The 21st Annual Cruisin’ the Coast will feature activities such as cruise-ins, exciting entertainment, swap meets, auto auctions and more!
The festival began in 1996 as an event celebrating antique, classic and hot rod vehicles, and has since grown to become one of the Coast’s most celebrated events.
Once a year, car enthusiasts of all ages flock to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to showcase their cars and cruise along the scenic coastline. Designated stops are spread along the three coastal counties, each featuring live music, vendors,
and reserved cruiser parking. This year Pascagoula will be added as an official stop.
Only registered vehicles may drive into and park in the different venues, but spectators are welcome to visit the venues to see the beautiful cars and enjoy the entertainment. Spectators will need to park offsite and walk to the venues. There is no admittance fee for the venues, but there is a fee to attend the swap meet.
The festival’s first year featured 374 registered vehicles, but that number increased to 7,957 cars registered in 2016.
Cruisin’ the Coast 228.385.3847 www.cruisinthecoast.com
“You may remember completing an economic impact
survey for our 2016 event,” said Woody Bailey, vice chairman and executive director of Cruisin’ the Coast. “The Bradley Research Group tells us that Cruisin’ the Coast has a $26.1 million impact on the three coastal counties and a $28.6 million impact on the entire State of Mississippi.”
Cruise Central will be located at
200 Beach Boulevard in Gulfport (Centennial Plaza), with event locations spread across the Coast. The Swap Meet will be held at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
“This year we’ve moved the Salute
To Our Veterans event back to Tuesday and to Cruise Central. And for the
first time in years, you’ll be able to light ‘em up during a burn-out in Pass Christian,” Bailey said. “We are also putting final touches on the Street Rodder Road Tour schedule.” Schedule and event locations are listed on the event website.
Cruisin’ the Coast and its staff have done an outstanding job, winning a variety of awards for their efforts.
The event received the Governor’s Excellence in Tourism Award as Festival/Event of the Year in the State of Mississippi, the Southeast Tourism Society’s “Shining Example Award” for Best Festival/Event of the Year, and the Automotive Restoration Market named Cruisin’ the Coast the 2007 Restoration Event of the Year.
212 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • September 2017
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