Explore Local Innovation at Port Air Space Day in the Bay

Big Buzz Blog - October 2024

After a successful inaugural event last year spotlighting Stennis Space Center’s contributions to its neighboring communities, organizers have planned a stellar follow-up in November, 2024.

- by Lisa Monti
-photos provided by NASA Stennis Space Center

This Big Buzz ​is supported by our Partners:

 
After a successful inaugural event last year spotlighting Stennis Space Center’s contributions to its neighboring communities, organizers have planned a stellar follow-up in November 2024.
 
Port Air Space Day in the Bay will be held on Saturday, November 9, from 11 am to 4 pm on the grounds of the historic Hancock County Courthouse at 152 Main Street. Additional exhibits will be featured in the adjacent yard of Main Street United Methodist Church.
 
The main sponsor this year is the Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission.

 
The event is produced by event coordinator Janice Guido of Partners for Stennis & Michoud, a volunteer group that advocates for space, earth, and ocean exploration. Guido is supported by assistant coordinator Melanie Hotard and an experienced committee of 12 members.
 
“This is our second year doing this event, and I have to thank Blaine LaFontaine, executive director of HCPHC, and his Board of Commissioners for stepping up quickly as our top sponsor,” said Guido. “They are the perfect partner to help showcase Hancock County’s ever-growing Port, Space and Ocean technology and business efforts in our coastal county.”
 

 
During this special celebration, more than 40 exhibits will showcase various entities involved in supporting and growing local port, space and ocean businesses.
 
“We are bringing them from Port and Harbor’s Stennis Airport sites as well as the NASA Stennis grounds to the public so people can speak to their staff and learn what they do, including internships and job opportunities,” Guido said. “In addition, the event organizers want to expose our children, teens, community colleges, and four-year schools to the exciting jobs right here in our own county.” 
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LaFontaine said, "As a father with deep roots in Hancock County, it was an easy decision to sponsor this event, which will help our children pursue STEM-related jobs right here at home.”
 
Major sponsors include Aerojet Rocketdyne L3Harris, Relativity Space, NASA Stennis/Michoud, Goldbelt Integrated Logistics Service, Lockheed Martin and Rocket Lab. Guido said more major sponsors are being added each day.
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Other exhibits and participants include the Hancock County Historical Society, NOAA, NAVOCEANO, Pearl River Community College, Hancock County Library System and Hancock High Robotics/STEM teams.
 
To sign up as a sponsor or exhibitor, go to the Partners for Stennis website (partnersforstennis.org) or contact the Hancock Chamber at (228) 467-9048 to participate. Space is limited and will be closed once an optimal number of exhibits is reached. 
 

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“We could not do this event without the support of all our sponsors at every level as well as county and city support and the Main Street United Methodist Church,” said Hancock Chamber Executive Director Tish Williams. “We so appreciate you.”
 
Guido said the opening ceremony promises to be inspiring and will include a Bay High ROTC salute, a flyover, the national anthem sung by Avery Saucier and patriotic songs by the Coast Chorale.
 

​“Next to our event will be Bud & Burgers in the Bay from 11 am to 4 pm, so you can enjoy lunch or early dinner after enjoying your exhibit walk,” she said.
 
Local lodging partners for Port Air Space Day include the Bay Town Inn, Pearl Hotel, and Hollywood Casino.
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