BILOXI (AP) — Attendees at this year’s Biloxi Black Beach Weekend, one of the largest tourist events on the Coast, will have plenty of music choices.
Two concerts have been scheduled for Saturday to accommodate the tens of thousands who will arrive at the Coast for Spring Break, April 7-9.
The third annual Gulf Coast Spring Fest concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Coast Coliseum. It will feature Yo Gotti, Jeezy, Migos, Lloyd and others. The show is sold out, but tickets can be found at some resale outlets such as Stubhub and Vivid Seats.
MGM Park on Friday will play host to Spring Break Explosion. The concert will feature Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, Bianca Clarke, Corey Finesse, BPace and more. Tickets start at $40 and are available at Ticketfly.com.
Spring Breakers get down on the beach in BiloxiStudents take over Highway 90 in Biloxi on the first night of Biloxi Black Beach Weekend #MGCSB
More things to know about Biloxi Black Spring Break:
Where to park
Maurice Bryant, who, along with Derrian Burns is organizing this year’s event, said all of their planned activities will take place on the grounds of the Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, from the “Twerk Fest” to the annual concert Saturday night.
“We wanted to improve parking this year,” Bryant said. “We only parked about 1,500 cars at the Coliseum last year and that’s where we want people to park — we want to get people off the roads and get them parked at the Coliseum.”
Take alternate routes
With about 20,000 additional people on the Coast, traffic is going to be slow rolling on U.S. 90, especially around the area of the Coliseum.
If you’re a local or will be in town for the event, remember this: Interstate 10 is your friend. Use it.
Some advance planning may be needed to avoid traffic delays.
Gulfport police Sgt. Josh Bromen said several roads in the Gulfport area will be closed if traffic makes venting a necessity.
East- and westbound traffic on U.S. 90 at Cowan Road will be diverted north onto Cowan Road, then north to I-10 and east toward Biloxi.All traffic southbound on Cowan Road from I-10 or entering Cowan Road from the west will be sent south to Pass Road and allowed to go west on Pass Road or continue south on Cowan Road to U.S. 90, then west.All traffic entering Cowan Road from the east will be sent north to I-10, then east toward Biloxi.Traffic on the service drive from DeBuys Road to U.S. 90 westbound will remain open to all residents south of the tracks.DeBuys Road will be closed from U.S. 90 north to CT Switzer Road to all traffic, except residents of the area north of the service drive.
Stay informed
Bryant and Burns say there are many ways people can stay connected with BBBW, both in the weeks leading up to and during the festival.
“We have a lot of social media options so people can stay informed,” Burns said.
This includes a Facbeook page and an Instagram account, which can be accessed at @biloixblackbeach. There’s also a Twitter account that Burns said will be providing traffic and event updates. It can found by searching Biloxi Black Beach or by following @DJMISTAMAJIK.
BBBW also has a website with event schedules and additional information.
Festival hashtags are #BlackBiloxiBeachWeekend, #TwerkFest4 and #BlackSpringBreak.
Register early for the car show
One of the festival’s most popular attractions is the car show on the Coliseum grounds. This year it will be Saturday.
Registration for the car show is $45. However, it will cost only $35 if you register before April 8.