Hattiesburg residents with a connection to Bay St. Louis join forces for a unique tailgate party.
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- Story and photo by Lisa Monti
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​The three friends decided to create an event to celebrate the Hattiesburg-Bay connection and started planning last fall in an Old town restaurant. They based their idea on the Mississippi Picnic in Central Park, which was held for years as a Big Apple celebration of all things Mississippi.

​​They put together a plan and on the afternoon of April 27, the grounds of the historic depot will be the setting for “The Burg in da Bay.”

​It will be an informal party for “people who appreciate the Bay and its atmosphere and personality and peacefulness,” says Carroll, who owns real estate offices in Hattiesburg and Petal. She says she finds a sense of peacefulness “when my car heads south. It’s like an entirely different world.”
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​Carroll is an unabashed fan of the city which she first visited on a date with her future husband, Ricky, a builder. “My heart is in Bay St. Louis,” she says. “It’s just so laid back, for one. And it’s got the beach, Old Town, the character. It’s got a special air to it and there’s no place like it on the Coast.”
 
Ka, a retired nurse, and husband Larry, a hospital administrator, started visiting the Bay together with some close friends who had a camp before Hurricane Camille. They bought their own camp in 2004 and now come down every weekend and love making new memories with their grown sons, their families and friends.

​“We just love the proximity to New Orleans and the town itself and the friendly people,” Ka says.
 

The organizers are keeping this first event simple, like tailgating - but without the game. People are encouraged to bring their own food, drinks, tables and chairs and spend a few hours enjoying each other’s company. Kids can enjoy playing lawn games on the depots grounds.
 
They are getting the word out about “The Burg in da Bay” through emails, social media and word of mouth. They’ve made contact with about 100 people and are hoping for a good turnout plus good weather. If the interest is strong enough, the event will grow accordingly.
 
For more information, go toThe Burg in da Bay Facebook page.
 
The Burg in Da Bay
April 27, 2019  
2-6pm
Historic Depot grounds
Bay St. Louis

You know it’s beach season when The Pineapple sets up shop at the Washington Street Pier in Bay St. Louis.  
- story and photos by Lisa Monti

Sean saw an opportunity to spend time in the Bay by applying to become the county’s beach vendor. He started out three years ago with kayak, paddle board and chair rentals and last season he added the food truck.
 
“Last season we really started to get some momentum, with people looking forward to us being out there,” he said. The crowds swell as the weather warms up and schools let out. “It’s pretty packed down there. I’m impressed with the amount of people on the beach.”
 
Sean says he enjoys talking with his customers at the window of the food truck while taking their order for a cold treat or a snack. “The majority are from New Orleans but I’m surprised at how many international visitors are coming through for the weekend. There’s an amazing number of foreigners,” he said.
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​The food truck, 18 feet long and 8 feet wide, is fully equipped with a sink, cooking equipment, an ice shaver, coolers and freezers. Sean says the morning set up is “pretty intense” and takes a good hour to unlock the beach chairs, set up the umbrellas, get the rental equipment ready and start prepping the food. But the crowds are worth it, he says, and every month there’s a holiday weekend to bolster the crowds on Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day. As the summer winds down, The Pineapple goes on a Friday to Sunday schedule through September.
 
The Pineapple
Washington Street Pier, Bay St. Louis
601-941-2182
thepineapplebsl@gmail.com