Photo provided courtesy of Ken Murphy
Community Calendar Upcoming Events
Covering Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Diamondhead and Pass Christian.
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Amtrak Gulf Coast
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15 minutes
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John "Papa" Gros
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Tales & Traditions – Episode One
The Bay St. Louis Little Theater hosted the first “Tales & Traditions,” a live podcast that focuses on what inspires musicians to continue the traditions of their predecessors. Hosted by guitarist Joshua Starkman of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, this episode featured Branden Lewis, Ronell Johnson, and special guest John “Papa” Gros. - Photos by Melanie Cole |
15 minutes
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George Porter, Jr.
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"Swamp (Gr)ass Get Down" Returns to 100 Men Hall
Music lovers turned out for the third annual Swamp (Gr)ass Get Down at the historic 100 Men Hall. The 100 Men Hall promised “a whole lot of fun to celebrate the arrival of spring” – and they delivered! - Photos by Melanie Cole |
shore thing
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Speckled trout have begun moving in, and it should only get better in the coming days and weeks.
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Shore Thing Fishing Report, 4/8/2026
Winds have made boating a little tricky, but if we can get to areas that are shielded from the wind, the action is hot! - by Sonny Schindler, Shore Thing Fishing Charters |
15 minutes
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Souper Mudfest "Bowls" Over Bay St. Louis
Throngs of people arrived happy but hungry at this year's Souper Mudfest on March 14. Participants perused hundreds of handcrafted bowls made by local artists. The bowl also got them samples of amazing soups from local area merchants! - photos by Gregg Martel |
big buzz
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“We aren’t just fine art—we’re fun art.”
Something big opened in Bay St. Louis this week – and everyone’s talking about it. - by Francesca Bianci |
talk of the town
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Rev. Jeffrey Reed (left) with Jason M, aka "LP."
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A Tribute to Reverend Jeffrey Reed
The author reflects on how his relationship with Rev. Reed as a young man helped shape the person he is today. - By Jason M. (“LP”), with introduction by Kirby Rhodes |
big buzz
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Mississippi Musicians Month Comes to Bay St. Louis
On Friday, March 20 at 8:00 p.m., the historic Bay St. Louis Little Theatre will host a special Mississippi Musicians Month songwriter showcase — an evening devoted to the art of the song. |
arts locale
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BSL Sculpture Garden Seeking Original Artist Submissions
Calling artists nationwide: The Arts, Hancock County wants YOU to submit a design for their sculpture garden. - By Cecelia Hopes |
second saturday
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Souper Mudfest Returns - With a New Sister Event
For Second Saturday in March, the streets of Old Town will fill with the comforting aroma of homemade soup, the creativity of local artists, and the unmistakable energy of one of the Gulf Coast’s most anticipated annual traditions — Souper Mudfest. - by Kirby Rhodes |
on the shoofly
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Lenten Dinners in Hancock County
For many local families, the weeks leading up to Easter mean gathering with neighbors over plates of fried seafood, homemade sides, and desserts prepared by generations of parish volunteers. - by Shoofly Staff |
15 minutes
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Mardi Gras in the Pass!
It was a perfect day for a parade! Crowds were at least four deep in many places for the 2026 St. Paul's Carnival Association Parade in Pass Christian. The parade started at noon, but folks started to gather much earlier to get a key spot to catch prized beads and trinkets. - Photos by Brenda Comer |
15 minutes
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MKOSH's Lundi Gras Parade Rolls in BSL
The always-fun 2026 Lundi Gras golf cart parade hosted by BSL’s Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse started with a tailgate party and prizes at the historic train depot. But once those golf carts started to roll, the party really got started! - photos by Gregg Martel |
15 minutes
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Krewe of Real People Roll on Fat Tuesday
True to their 60+ year tradition, the Krewe of Real People hosted their annual Mardi Gras parade on Fat Tuesday. Led by King Paul Farve, Sr. and Queen Jonique (Joni) Farve, the floats, Jeeps, golf carts, bands and marching clubs wound through the streets of Bay St. Louis. - Photos by Misty Ellington |
15 minutes
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Diamondhead Parade a Mardi-Party!
Another fantastic parade is in the books for the Krewe of Diamondhead, which held its annual Mardi Gras parade on Saturday, February 14. - Photos by Marian Glaser |
15 minutes
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Nereids Parade Brings the Happy to Mardi Gras
Every year the Krewe of Nereids host essentially the same event - and it's that sense of immutability that is the true beauty of their annual Mardi Gras parade in Waveland. - Photos by Gregg Martel |
amtrak update
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Ride the Rails: Spend a Day in the Bay
Whether you start in New Orleans or Mobile, Bay St. Louis is a leisurely train ride away! Here are some suggestions for a great day trip to "A Place Apart." – by Kirby Rhodes |
coast cuisine
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Rickey’s Returns: A Familiar Taste of Bay St. Louis
Walking into Rickey’s on Coleman (Avenue) immediately gives you a sense of something familiar — not just in the décor or the menu, but in the way nostalgia settles into the room like it never left. - by Francesca Bianci |
15 minutes
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Homegrown Writer's Event Another Success
The second annual Homegrown: A Storied Exchange was held the last weekend of January across several venues in Hancock and Harrison Counties and racked up another win for the Hancock County Library System. - Story by Dena Temple, photos by Melanie Cole |
15 minutes
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Art Lovers Welcome Gaudet Sculpture at Art Center
Art lovers raised a glass recently to celebrate the unveiling of a new sculpture to adorn the sculpture garden at the Mamie Hillery Art Center, home of the Arts, Hancock County. ECHO, created by sculptor Erica Larkin Gaudet, was designed to resemble “a bird lifting up and generating energy,” the artist said. - Photos by Gregg Martel |
big buzz
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Homegrown Writers' Festival Returns Jan. 29-Feb. 1
The fourth annual event expands to four days across multiple venues and brings together 30 of the region's most influential writers. Click the link for the latest schedule updates. - by Kirby Rhodes |
on the shoofly
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2026 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule and Routes
Let the good times roll! It’s finally time to yell, “Throw me something, Mister!” This year, Mardi Gras falls on February 17. - Compiled by Dena Temple |
15 minutes
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Oh, Dollys!
After a free “Nine to 5K,” fun run in the morning, a set by Tyron Benoit in the afternoon, a "Nine to Five" dance number, and a "highest hair" contest, everyone’s favorite event, the Dolly Parton look-alike contest, took place. While prizes were awarded to a few, every Dolly was a winner for going all-out to make their outfits - and the event - truly memorable. - Photos by Gregg Martel |
nature notes
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Eastern Screech Owl | Pete Nuij, Unsplash
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Gestures of Owlness
In this essay, the author ventures into the woods to not only see an owl, but to "be" a creature of the night. - Story by James Inabinet |
good neighbor
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Abe Kinney from Baton Rouge and Pass Christian with a huge bull redfish he tagged and released in the Louisiana marsh.
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“Santa” Bob McGraw Brings Smiles in the Bay
You weren't seeing things; that really was Santa driving by in the red antique pickup truck! - Story by Maurice Singleton |
noteworthy women
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KK Necaise and actor Sylvester Stallone during local filming of the movie Armored in Bay St. Louis.
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Kendra Necaise, The People’s Clerk
Kendra “KK” Necaise is now in her second term as Hancock County Circuit Clerk. Over her 38 years of public service, she has held every role, giving her a strong, first-hand understanding of how best to serve the people of Hancock County. - Story by Maurice Singleton |
coast cuisine
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Anthony’s Ristorante: Elegant and Authentic Italian Eatery
From its charming, romantic atmosphere to its authentic Italian menu, Anthony's is getting the attention of foodies all along the Coast - and rightfully so. - By Francesca Bianci |
talk of the town
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Youthful volunteers for New Day in the Bay, 2008, photo by Ellis Anderson
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Alyece Smith: Finding Her FLOW
Alyece Smith is making waves not only throughout Hancock County but around the world with her direct approach to neurodivergent success strategies. - by Francesca Bianci |
noteworthy women
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Kay Kell, August 16, boarding the inaugural run of the new Amtrak Mardi Gras line. Photo by Ellis Anderson
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Kay Kell: The Behind-the Scenes Queen of Amtrak's New Mardi Gras Line
Amtrak's new Mardi Gras line between New Orleans and Mobile is reinvigorating Gulf Coast culture. Meet the woman who worked for 30 years to manifest the dream. - by Ellis Anderson |
What is a shoofly?
A shoofly is a raised wood deck circling a large tree and historically, almost every hotel on the Mississippi coast had one. Now the shoofly by the old Bay St. Louis City Hall is one of few remaining, and it's become our iconic town landmark.
A shoofly is a raised wood deck circling a large tree and historically, almost every hotel on the Mississippi coast had one. Now the shoofly by the old Bay St. Louis City Hall is one of few remaining, and it's become our iconic town landmark.
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