Cruisin’ The Coast

I’ve never seen so many RVs & confederate flags in my life… Ugh. White people in the south tend to take this event very seriously… which predominantly consists of sitting on lawns in beach chairs, beer in hand, watching muscle cars drive by and burn their tire rubber & hollering from their cars.

If you dig classic cars, you NEED to make it to the coast for Cruisin’ the Coast.
Cruisin the Coast occurs along a stretch of Hwy 90 from Bay St Louis, Ms, to Biloxi, Ms; about 25 miles or so. All week long, ESPECIALLY on weekend days, there are lots of classic and antique cars driving along the highway, stopped on the side of the highway, and parked at the various venues and events. To give you a hint of just how MANY classic cars will be out there, last year, there were 7200+ REGISTERED vehicles, not counting the casual classic car owners like myself who drive down there to participate.
The entire week, there are lots of events to check out. It opens with an entire block area of Gulfport being closed to all traffic «except classic cars» down Hwy 49. That’s fun. It’s a big cruise-​in, which means anyone with a classic car can participate and park alongside the truly unique and rare cars so that everyone can enjoy as many classic cars as possible.
On the weekend, the traffic on Hwy 90 can get pretty packed, but… there are several THOUSAND cars on the road, so… just go with it.
Lots of people park on the side of the road and set up their tents and chairs and just watch the cars pass by. I’ve done that myself and it’s fun.
There are lots of places to eat and drink along the ride, so that’s not a problem. For many, it truly is a giant week long cruise along the MS coast; a cruise I take myself often, or a 30 mile long car show. Only, once a year, the road is packed with more classic cars than modern ones!
Each town alongside Hwy 90 has various events to check out. From View the Cruise on opening day, which is quite large, to Bay St. Louis’ block party and the several events at Edgwater Mall in Biloxi. They have celebrities apparently that sign autographs if you know where to look, and in the evenings, you can catch plenty of live bands.
Also, the casinos get pretty good bands to play during this time of year as well, so you can catch the Beach Boys or something like that.
And be prepared to see all kinds of different makes and models of cars throughout the years from 1904 to now. I have personally seen an early Olds Runabout, so that’s where the 1904 comes from Lol. Hell, you might even see a 72 Vista Cruiser if you’re lucky! ;)

It’s called «America’s Largest Block Party, but I lovingly dubbed Cruisin’ on the Coast «Geriatric Spring Break» lol Yes, people of all ages flock to the gulf coast of Mississippi during this 8 day classic car event, but for the most part the participants are retirees who are reliving their sock hop days. You can tell that there is a lot of love, money, time, sweat and tears that goes into those cars.
I happened to be in Biloxi during the 2013 Cruisin on the Coast. I was amazed at how determined the participants were– Tropical Storm Karen threatened to ruin the first few days of the event and yet the RVs kept acomin’ lol Luckily the storm dissipated and I got to see everything from old 1930s Ford Model Bs to teal Chevy Bel-​Airs to roaring muscle cars. The first few days were great. I felt that everyone from the 7,000 registered classic car participants to the spectators to the locals were patient and courteous during the traffic jams that events like this inevitably cause. There were many events during the week to celebrate the cars and to just plain party. On one day there was a flame-​throwing competition in Gulfport. On another day there was a block party in downtown Biloxi with live music (of the Elvis impersonator variety). People were out with their fold up chairs and coolers full of beer enjoying the music and cars. There were not just events in Biloxi and Gulfport… Pass Christian and Ocean Springs also had some cars come through their cities. I thought that was great to spread the business and money around the gulf coast and not just confine it to Biloxi.
From about that first Sunday to that Friday everything was copasetic. Other than masses of people and cars, everyone was in good spirits. No fighting, no car accidents, no worries.
However, the last weekend of the event, the weekend before Columbus Day, brought a different breed of people. That Saturday I saw 3 car accidents along Beach Blvd… Trash was left everywhere… But worst of all: the rednecks. Aw yes, the rednecks. I passed at least 4 beat up trucks with large poles attached to their truck beds proudly flying exceptionally large confederate flags. Also placed along Beach Blvd were about a half dozen poles with very large confederate flags flying high above the street and the masses of people. Now, I’m not sure what the confederate flag symbolizes to you but for me it symbolizes hate and a desire for a return to a pre-​Civil War era (aka return to slavery). What those flyers of their cherished confederate flag (the south lost, by the way) don’t understand is that there is an Air Force base down the street and a Naval base about 20 miles away in Gulfport. On those bases are many, many African American, Latino American, and Asian American military members who used their free time during that weekend to enjoy the event’s festivities. Did our military men and women deserve to be inundated with the messages of hate that that flag relays? I don’t understand why in such a public place that any American should be made to feel so uncomfortable and unwelcomed. Also there were families there with kids of all races and backgrounds. Did the kids also need to be subjected to that? I’m glad we have freedom of speech, but I wish people would leave at home their pseudo-​southern pride aka hate and ignorance.
I guess nothing could be done about the confederate flags (other than perhaps education and common sense and maybe world travel ???) but it definitely left a bad last impression. However, the small minority really shouldn’t reflect on the whole. Most people that participated during the 2013 Cruisin on the Coast were good people with beautiful classic cars just looking to show off and have a good time. And that’s how it should be… A good time… For EVERYONE

Ok, so, if you’re a local and you have to work during Cruisin’ the Coast, it really of sucks. Traffic is extremely slow on Beach Blvd and tourists don’t seem to know what «courtesy» means.
That being said, for out-​of-​towners and locals who manage to get time off of work, this event is a great time! (It also brings a lot of revenue to our local businesses!) The crowds of people get so excited and have a lot of positive energy and the cars are completely awesome to watch while they’re cruising or just parked. We usually drive down and park near Beach Blvd for some food and beer at one of the local eateries, then we walk over to the beach to throw a football or frisbee around with friends. Or, show up early and set up a tent, chairs and coolers to make a day out it! As with most things, this event is a lot more fun with family and good friends.
So, Happy Coast Cruisin’ y’all =D