This Summer on the Coast

By: Nancy Marchbanks

In the last two and a half years, the casino industry has spent one and a half billion dollars to rebuild and renew their existing properties, with another billion dollars dedicated to the planning process for new properties, new construction and new projects. Some of our attractions were lost in Katrina, but the Special Events are at an all time high. Cruisin The Coast, Smokin The Sound, Blessing of the Fleet, Orr/O'Keefe Summer Camps, Arts and Craft Festivals, and a number of Fishing Rodeos. Locals and tourists alike, flock to these exciting and fun seasonal affairs.
Beverly Martin, Executive Director of the Mississippi Casino Operators Association for the past 13 years, sat down with GTP and gave us a heads up on the summer tourism scene. "The charter boat captains have advised us that fishing is at an all time high right now. It is one of our biggest industries on the Coast," she said. There was quite a lull for the past two years but it is believed that the fishing stock has healed, matured, and replenished itself. Fishing Rodeos are planned for much of 2008. Beverly continued, "there are some challenges for the fishermen and boaters because there is a lack of fuel docks. There is only one in the Pass, and one in Biloxi, and I am not sure if there are any in between just yet."
Our own Ship Island was named one of the top 50 island beaches in America. Be sure not to miss the 22 mile, round trip excursion into the Gulf, that is known as the Coast's premiere waterborn experience. Ship Island is the perfect "mini vacation" for nature lovers, history buffs and sun worshipers. The cruise departs daily from the Gulfport Yacht Harbor, it is quite affordable and is a wonderful way to spend a hot, sunny day.
The Lynn Meadows Discovery Center has always been a delightful place to take children. It is now even bigger and better than before. A spacious meeting room has been added, complete with a kitchenette for added convenience. To date, many gatherings have been held at Lynn Meadows and they are always a big hit. Throughout the museum, there is a world of fun and educational interactive activities to entertain little ones and big kids alike.
The Stennis Space Center in Hancock County is a fascinating place to visit. Numerous improvements have been implemented recently. Guests will soon actually be able to experience weightlessness and other features of space travel, through The Stennis Infinity project. It will be a fantastic journey for the senses! The Island Strikes Bowling Center, in Gulfport is a favorite among teenagers. It is a very new, state of the art facility. Neon bowling is a bright and colorful, exciting way to enjoy the sport, and is great fun for everyone. This should not be missed.
Gulf Island Water Park in Gulfport is one of the Coast's newest attractions. 18 acres of fun in the sun, with 5 huge waterslides and pristine blue water. The one and only Horn Island Blaster is a 500 ft plus water roller coaster. It has been voted the #1 waterpark ride in the country for two years consecutively! For a more relaxed experience, the Waveland Wave Pool and the Lazy Pearl River ride may be more to your liking. There is something for every member of the family here, in a safe, beautifully clean and controlled environment. 25 highly trained lifeguards are on duty at all times, so there are no worries.
Beverly went on to talk about our coastline. "Young families really enjoy our beaches. There are hardly any waves, the depth is only knee deep to waist deep in most of the water so it is very safe for small children - there is no sudden drop off. The beaches and the water is very clean now thanks to the efforts of so many businesses and organizations; the local shrimpers, fisherman from Mobile, the Army Corps of Engineers, the BMR (Bureau of Marine Resources) and DMR (Dept. of Marine Resources) to name a few." The shrimpers were invaluable because they know the bottom of the MS Sound so well, and they helped considerably with the dredging effort. The beaches were cleaned up by the County, and the Army Corp of Engineers is replenishing the sand. When everything is finished, the beaches will once again be at the original width of 325 feet.
The biggest draw for our older population and visitors (approximately ages 35 to 65) is the gaming and our golf courses. "We have some of the best golf courses in the United States, and they are all back up and running," Beverly said. The casinos assist in marketing the golf courses, as does the Tourism Commission. In Kiln, MS the city's claim to fame is being Brett Farve's hometown. However,since 2003, it has become the birth place of the Lazy Magnolia Brewery! Gaining national recognition and growing in leaps and bounds, The Lazy Magnolia produces 11 distinctive and unique brews. Every Saturday morning, tours are given and no reservations are necessary. Come and visit a true, fully operational brewery and see how these delicious ale's are made.
Two seperate Developers are in the process of finalizing the plans and settling on the locations for very exciting entertainment centers called the "Big Kahuna". They will be on the same scale as the amusement parks found in Destin, Florida. One will have the attractions primarily outdoors, the other will be entirely indoors! Amenities will include a spectacular water park, go carts, a putt putt golf course, and a huge arcade and game center.
Beverly works closely with those that are looking at the Coast with tourism and entertainment business opportunities in mind. "They come to me to talk about funding, demographic information, and what kind of investment sources are out there, and tax incentives. It gives them a break on their state taxes when they come to the Coast and bring in these types of developments," Beverly said. The "Go Zone", is another attractive incentive through the Federal Government, offering a depreciation or low interest bond money. "The Community Development Block Grant," is another Federal program that has money available. "They can come here, and put down 50% of the money they need and have the other 50% through tax incentives or grants. Then you can have a 3 million dollar project, and it will only cost a million and a half," Beverly added. Insurance is still a huge issue, and the most desirable location for these proposed projects is on Hwy. 90, but time will tell.
There are some new casino projects in the works, and with them will come new retailers. "Margaritaville is slated to open in 2010 and is right on schedule, we are so excited about it - it is a wonderful project that will have many restaurants and shops on the waterfront," Beverly said. Several new restaurants have opened on the Coast. In Harrison County,"The Dock" is enjoying great success since it's recent opening. Many patrons arrive via private boat, jet ski, or other water craft because it is totally accessible by water. "The Blow Fly" another Coast favorite, which has been totally remodeled and rebuilt is also accessible by water. Ocean Springs has a few of these properties as well.
Beverly talked about how the casinos are doing. "I am so pleased at how things are progressing, and what we are seeing is a complete customer based shift. We used to draw a lot of fly - in and tour buses, now we get a lot of the volunteers, who later come back with their families to vacation. Word of mouth has been a very good advertiser," Beverly said. The world class entertainers at our casinos are coming on a regular basis now. Often guests will come a day or two early for a concert, and leave a day or two afterwards. "Usually the larger properties are handled through their corporate offices, and most of the time talent travels through a casino circuit. When an artist is going to perform at one property, he or she will usually also perform at the sister properties, in other parts of the country - so if you miss someone here, you can go to Vegas and see them. A good example is the Blue Man Group," Beverly said.
Beverly continued, "As a group we got the onshore gambling passed, which the Association must take credit for - it saved us probably 10 years in the recovery process. The community, the legislators and our Governor all made things happen quickly. The Tourism Commission, the Hotel/Motel Assn, the Restaurant Assn., and Casino Assn., as well as the Business Groups all work together for the good of South MS, and collectively we get things done." In 2005, it was decided to bring the entire state of Mississippi into the Association which includes members in Tunica, Vicksburg, and Greenville. "I think that eventually, the Coast will be bigger and better but realistically, it is going to take 5 to 10 years to really come to fruition," Beverly concluded.
The Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau publishes an all inclusive calendar of events each month. In it, you will find everything that is going on here - Things to see and do throughout the Coast. It is the quintiscential guide to keep you current on all the wonderful things available for fun and relaxation this summer and all year long! Contact 228-896-6699 for more information.