After an initial dampening of spirits, a favorite Bay St. Louis  holiday happening gets another chance on Saturday, December 15th! 
- story and photos by Ellis Anderson

So on Sunday, when organizers tossed out the idea of a reprise on the 15th, the response of participating merchants and restaurants was an overwhelming “yes.” 

Old Town Merchants Association president, Yuki Northington explains the unusual repeat of the event. 

“The Second Saturday Artwalk's been happening for nearly thirty years,” says Northington.  “And the December one is always a family favorite.  People come to shop local, eat out in the restaurants, take in the decorations and visit with neighbors.  It’s an experience that you can’t get in a big box store or a mall.”

​“So many people were disappointed the bad weather crushed it this year.  And our shop and restaurant owners – who depend on the December event to help get them through the winter months – were upset too.  
 
“So, we thought, why not do it again?” 
 
December 15th seemed tailor-made for the event.  The only other community event scheduled is the Live Nativity at the historic depot grounds, which starts at 7pm.  The play was produced last year by the Bay St. Louis Little Theatre and the Music, Arts & Practicality (MAP) children’s program and drew a large crowd.  
 
Northington says the second Second Saturday nests perfectly with the depot performance.
 
“People will be able to shop around Old Town in the afternoon, enjoy an early dinner and end the day at the depot grounds,” she says.  “Doesn’t get more hometown holiday than that!”
 
The merchants group is also working to schedule carolers for the evening of the SECOND Second Saturday (The Shoofly Magazine will post more details as they become available). 

Antique Maison  
December Hot Spot! 
111 North Second Street
Bay St. Louis, MS
228-466-4848

Bay-Tique
125 Main Street
Bay St. Louis, MS
228-344-3043

Bay Books (open until 6pm)
131 Main Street #2
Bay St. Louis
228-463-2688
 
bijoubel Boutique
126 Main Street
Bay St. Louis
601-463-2494
 
Bizzee Bee
111B Main Street
Bay St. Louis               
228-467-1104
 
California Drawstrings
216 Main Street
Bay St. Louis, MS
228-463-2124

Century Hall
Eight shops under one historic roof 
112 S 2nd St
BSL
504-810-7772
 
Gallery 220 
220 Main Street
Bay St. Louis, MS
228-466-5347
 
Green Canyon Outfitters
108 S. Beach Blvd G
Bay St. Louis, MS  39520
228-344-3108
 
Joan Vaas - Off Broadway
 124 Main Street
Bay St. Louis, MS
601-463-2494
 
Magnolia Antiques 
200 Main Street
Bay St. Louis, MS
228-467-8170
 
Serious Bread Bakery
131 Main Street
Suite D                      
Bay St. Louis          
228-547-5075

Smith & Lens Gallery
December Hot Spot!
106 S. Second Street
Bay St. Louis
(228) 254-6006
 
Social Chair 
201 Main Street
Bay St. Louis
228-466-585
 
The French Potager
213 Main Street
Bay St. Louis, MS
228-364-3091

Wild Gypsy 
131 Main Street 
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 
​228-596-7330
 
Twin Light Creations
136 Main St
229-469-0011
 
 

This second annual music festival on November 9 & 10 at the Hancock County Fairgrounds kicks it up a notch this year with a stellar line-up of some of the region's favorite performers. 
- story by Ellis Anderson 

A new festival at the Hancock County Fairgrounds also offers music lovers a weekend camping experience in the country - just a stone's throw from Bay St. Louis and New Orleans! 
- story by Ellis Anderson 

Hancock Tourism announces a new grant-funded concert series, with the first free concert slated for September 30th, featuring BlueShift with Tommy Moran and blues icon Vasti Jackson. 
- by Ellis Anderson 

Hancock County supergroup "BlueShift," featuring Tommy and Gene Moran, joins Delta blues artist Vasti Jackson the Bay St. Louis Depot on June 3rd celebrate three centuries of history in Hancock County. And that's just the music line-up.  The Shoolfly's got all the details!
- story by Ellis Anderson 

The 2nd annual Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson on August 20th will feature 200+ authors, including five prominent coast writers/artists who will be participating in panel discussions.  We've got the scoop on who, what and where, along with festival details!
- story by Ellis Anderson

 Five coast residents are featured on the schedule for the 2nd annual Mississippi Book Festival taking place in Jackson, Mississippi on Saturday, August 20th. 
 
The inaugural fest made a regional splash last year (read Shoofly book columnist Carole McKellar’s story about the 2015 event).  More than 3,700 people attended the first event held on the lawn of the State Capitol and 100+ authors were present, including John Grisham.

Tantalizing our taste buds for the weekend:  great job, Laura and crew!