Cruisin’ The Coast revs up South Mississippi with new events. Here’s the full schedule.

Mary Perez
·4 min read

It’s known as “America’s Largest Block Party,” and this year Cruisin’ The Coast extends into all 12 cities in South Mississippi.

The 27th annual antique, classic and muscle car show rolls for eight days from Oct. 1-8 and is the most popular event in Mississippi, bringing a $36 million economic impact.

It’s a record year, officially surpassing 10,000 registered vehicles Friday morning. Last year’s total was 9,618.

This final weekend, Cruisin’ The Coast spreads out to venues and cities across the Coast. Antique and classic cars and trucks will fill downtown streets and parking lots. One person will win the Make A Wish car on Sunday and the 2024 raffle car will get its reveal.

As enjoyable as viewing the cars is talking to the owners and getting the story of where they found their beauty and how it rides.

Poodle skirts, shiny hood ornaments and a Jimmy Buffet song or two add to the fun. Vicari Auction and the swap meet continue at the Coast Coliseum and the Coast casinos have entertainment at night.

Cruisers arrive at Cruisin’ Central at Centennial Plaza during Cruisin’ the Coast on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.
Cruisers arrive at Cruisin’ Central at Centennial Plaza during Cruisin’ the Coast on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.

The Beach Boys are back at the Beau Rivage. Concerts are Friday and Saturday are free at Hollywood Casino. Oscar Mayer is sending its Wienermobile to Cruisin’ and several car celebrities will be mingling with fans.

It’s another record-breaking year, said Woody Bailey, executive director of Cruisin’ The Coast, with 8,515 antique and classic cars, hot rods and trucks pre-registered by Aug. 15. That’s 492 more than last year. Another 1,000 to 1,200 Cruisers register during the event, he said, but last year that number soared to 1,600.

They’re coming from 43 states, Canada and England, he said,

Bailey said the core of Cruisin’ The Coast is much the same as its been for 27 years — a combinations of hospitality, food, scenery and events. “It all seems to work pretty well,” he said.

Here’s the list of Cruisin’ events:

Accessories like fuzzy dice, a hula girl and Mardi Gras beads decorate a car at Cruise Central at Centennial Plaza during Cruisin’ the Coast.
Accessories like fuzzy dice, a hula girl and Mardi Gras beads decorate a car at Cruise Central at Centennial Plaza during Cruisin’ the Coast.

Saturday

▪ KOTO spins the oldies at Cruise Central, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

▪ Registration and all Cruisin’ Venues are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

▪ Sites with bands: Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Gulfport Cruise Central, Edgewater Mall, D’Iberville, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula

▪ Country Cruisin’ Breakfast, Long Beach Yacht Club, 7-10 a.m.

▪ Vicari Auto Auction at Coast Coliseum. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Auction begins 10 a.m.

▪ Vicari Auction CTC Swap Meet at Coast Coliseum, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

▪ Car Corral, east of Treasure Bay in Biloxi, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

▪ Dennis Gage appearance: Ocean Springs, 2-4 p.m.

▪ Super Saturday Concert — The Blues Brothers Soul Band and “Simply The Best” Tina Turner Tribute Show, live at Hollywood Casino Resort in Bay St. Louis. Free event begins at 7 p.m.

Cruisin’ Site Entertainment

Bay St. Louis

▪ 11 a.m.-Noon — Charles Grant

▪ 1-2 p.m. — Tommy Morse Band

▪ 3-4:30 p.m. — Na Na Sha

Pass Christian

▪ 11 a.m.-Noon — No Dice

▪ 1-2 p.m. — Garry “Elvis” Wesley

▪ 3-4:30 p.m. — Vince Vance & The Valiants

Gulfport Cruise Central

▪ 11 a.m.-Noon — Black Velvet

▪ 1-2 p.m. — Cool Rayz

▪ 3-4:30 p.m. — Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster

Edgewater Mall

▪ 11 a.m.-Noon — Saxman

▪ 1-2 p.m. — B.B. Band

▪ 3-4:30 p.m. — Departure

D’Iberville

▪ 11 a.m.-Noon —Shack N Up

▪ 1-2 p.m. — Gretsch

▪ 3-4:30 p.m. — Lazerus

Ocean Springs

▪ 11 a.m.-Noon — Rocko

▪ 1-2 p.m. — Platinum Café

▪ 3-4:30 p.m. — Qrisis

Pascagoula

▪ 11 a.m.-Noon — Jezebel

▪ 1-2 p.m. — Martini Shakerz

▪ 3-4:30 p.m. — Unfazed Band

Casino Entertainment

▪ The Beach Boys, Beau Rivage, 8 p.m.

▪ Jesse Hill, Scarlet Pearl Casino, 6-10 p.m.

▪ John Pierre & The Expressions, Hollywood Casino, 7-11 p.m.

▪ Nick Perkins Elvis Tribute, Silver Slipper, Casino Stage Bar, 8 p.m.

▪ Brandon Bennett, IP Casino, 8 p.m.

▪ Triggerproof, Beau Rivage, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

▪ Eugene Eash, Scarlet Pearl Casino, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

A giant shopping cart is Cruisin’ The Coast this week. It is motorized and street legal and it drew a crowd of admirers at the block party in downtown Biloxi on Wednesday..
A giant shopping cart is Cruisin’ The Coast this week. It is motorized and street legal and it drew a crowd of admirers at the block party in downtown Biloxi on Wednesday..

Sunday

All events at Cruise Central

▪ 2024 Registration open 8 a.m.-Noon.

▪ Non-denominational prayer service, 8 a.m.

▪ Stamping Cards must be turned in by 9 a.m.

▪ Cruisin’ The Coast Finale Ceremonies, 9-10:30 a.m.

▪ Gene Oswalt Volunteer of the Year Award

▪ Announcements of the winners of the cash drawings (40 drawings of $500 each) totaling $20,000

▪ Make-A-Wish Raffle Car Giveaway and unveiling of new 2024 Raffle Vehicle

▪ Live entertainment by the Qrisis, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

All events and times subject to change.

A lineup of classic cars waits to turn into Cruise Central at Centennial Plaza.
A lineup of classic cars waits to turn into Cruise Central at Centennial Plaza.
A rare, specially built 1953 Buick Skylark convertible is one of the most valuable cars that will be sold this week by Vicari Auctions at the Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. Commissioned by General Motors, it is one of only 1,690 Skylark’s produced during the 1953 model year.
A rare, specially built 1953 Buick Skylark convertible is one of the most valuable cars that will be sold this week by Vicari Auctions at the Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. Commissioned by General Motors, it is one of only 1,690 Skylark’s produced during the 1953 model year.