Page 42 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2025

CRUISIN’ THE COAST
Start your Engines LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF CRUISIN’ THE COAST
Hello, everyone!
There’s big excitement happening for Cruisin’ the Coast. We’ve been voted the best car show in the nation by voters of the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, beating out 19 other prominent
car shows in the country. Thank you all for voting. The other big news is
that Cruise Central is
Autocross will be moved to the north surface parking area of the Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in D’Iberville. We know the City of D’Iberville and the Autocross Guys will do a tremendous job at this new location.
Mississippi Gulf Fresh Seafood is our presenting sponsor again this year. Which can only mean one thing—another year of sampling the best and most fresh seafood on the planet. And it is absolutely free. Check out the schedule to see when and where.
Besides the incredibly cool rides, live entertainment is always on the minds of our cruisers and the music line-up will be great once again with some new bands as well as popular favorites. I got the inside scoop that Departure— the Journey tribute band—will be back this year.
Also, Hollywood Casino will host The Chee-Weez
on Friday night, as well as our grand finale, the
Super Saturday bash. There will be bands playing in Diamondhead for the Blessing of the Classics, at Island View Casino for the Flame Thrower contest, in Pass Christian on Thursday for the Burn ‘Em Up in The Pass and then on Friday for Pass In The Night. The Ocean Springs Sock Hop & Street Party will rock and Beau Rivage’s Cruisin’ Party will be fun, for sure.
And remember, all Cruisin’ events are free with the exception of the swap meet and Vicari Auto Auction. It’s going to be a great week. Come out and enjoy the 29th Annual Cruisin’ the Coast!
Keep Cruisin’,
Woody Bailey
Sherwood R. “Woody” Bailey, Jr.
Vice Chairman and Executive Director
moving back to Jones Park in Gulfport, where it all began in 1996. There were only
374 registered vehicles that first year so a lot has changed in the last three decades. We registered 9,961 vehicles last year from 43 states, Canada, England, and New Zealand.
Jones Park has all of the amenities we need to host
our headquarters, Cruise Central, including the huge Barksdale Pavilion where registration and apparel sales will take place. Free spectator parking will also be available on the west end of Jones Park. For a fee, parking will
also be available at the very convenient Coast Transit Authority (CTA) parking garage. CTA will have a tram available to ride from the garage to Barksdale Pavilion. Buses with stops along Jones Park Drive will also run from the west end to the east end of Jones Park throughout the entire event.
Details on our traffic plan, participant and spectator parking, our food court, entertainment and more can
be found on our website, www.cruisinthecoast.com. You can also follow us on social media through Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
Another change for this year is the very popular Autocross. Due to road construction taking place in the west parking area of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum, the
42 | September 2025
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living