Chapter 238: Bridging the Bay
(image courtesy of sunherald.com)
Today is a special day for the Gulf Coast of Mississippi as it heralds a return to normalcy in many ways. Hurricane Katrina knocked out the two main bridges along the stretch of Highway 90 which runs along the coast and bridges the Back Bay of Biloxi and the Bay of St. Louis 30 miles west. The traffic that flowed freely from town to town and the commerce that it created was diverted and isolated many of the small businesses and other activities typically shared by the convenience of the bridges. With the opening of the Bay St. Louis Bridge a couple of months ago, and the Biloxi Bay Bridge today it will be a major boon to the local economy and hopefully continue to re-infuse the coast with the same unified energy that it had before the storm. Come out for the ceremony and grub, stay for the fireworks y'all!
The main stage for the Biloxi Bay Bridge dedication will be at the foot of the bridge in Biloxi. Here is the schedule of events:
Biloxi pre-ceremony entertainment
(Each group performs for 20 minutes, with video vignettes between performances.)
10 a.m.- Nativity BVM Elementary Choir.
11:20 a.m. - Biloxi High School Show Choir.
12:20 p.m. - St. Patrick Catholic High School Choir.
1:05 p.m. - Biloxi High School Jazz Band.
MDOT bridge ceremony
2-3:15 p.m. - Platform speakers (main stage at Biloxi side of bridge).
3:30-4:15 p.m. - Ribbon-tying ceremony at the center of the bridge (invited participants).
5 p.m. - Parade of first responders, motorcycles and antique cars. Bridge to open to motoring public sometime after parade.
7 p.m. - Fireworks at Point Cadet will be choreographed to music broadcast on 105.9-FM radio. The Isle of Capri, Beau Rivage, IP, Boomtown and Grand casinos are partnering with the city to sponsor the fireworks.