Talk of the Town - September 2017

Starfish Fest

Michael Grimm headlines this food and music event to benefit the popular Starfish Café, on the grounds of the historic Bay St. Louis depot on October 5th. 
- story by Lisa Monti, photos by Ellis Anderson 

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Michael Grimm at Bay Harbor Fest, 2013, by Ellis Anderson

​Put Thursday, Oct. 5 on your calendar under “A Good Day for Good Vibes!” That’s the date of Starfish Fest 2017, when great live music, delicious food and various vendors will fill the grounds at the historic Depot in Bay St. Louis from noon to sunset. 

The event is a fundraiser to benefit the non-profit Starfish Cafe’s capital campaign, and while admission is free, donations will be happily accepted, just like at the cafe (211 Main Street, Bay St. Louis).

“For the event itself, you pay what you want. We’ll have donation buckets on the grounds,” said Di Fillhart, executive director of PNEUMA Winds of Hope, the nonprofit which oversees the cafe. All contributions will go toward the purchase of the cafe’s home on Main Street. 

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Starfish Cafe helps young adults learn cooking and restaurant service skills as well as receive life coaching and skills such as resume writing and financial literacy. Tips and donations help support the program, which has helped dozens since opening. 

Di Fillhart, at the Starfish Cafe, 211 Main Street in Old Town Bay St. Louis.

​The live music starts at 5 p.m. and goes until 9:30 p.m. A DJ will be keeping the music flowing and delicious food prepared by Starfish Cafe, Fatsumo’s and Williams Pit BBQ will be sold throughout the event. 

Besides food and music, the festival will feature Vendor-Palooza, a collection of all sorts of merchandise for sale. Organizers were looking for something different for the event and came up with the idea to raffle off a real tree with branches loaded up with a variety of gift cards.

The event is free and open to the public, with limited VIP seating at the festival available for $30 per person (click here to purchase online).  These will get you close to the stage for live music by headliner Michael Grimm, Will Kimbrough and the Bay Ratz Marching Battery.
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In the meantime, an online vendor application is available on the event’s Facebook page, and anyone who wants to donate gift cards or other prizes for the tree giveaway can drop them off at the cafe at 211 Main Street.

The Starfish Café has caught the eye of several national publications, like Paula Deen's magazine in this recent piece.

Tommy Moran and Michael Grimm, 2013, photo by Ellis Anderson

Will Kimbrough, courtesy WK

Starfish Fest will be icing on the cake during Cruisin’ the Coast week. You don’t want to miss this good time to support a most worthy cause.

For more information and to purchase VIP tickets, go to www.starfishcafebsl.com. 
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