Schedule of Events for Bay BridgeFest, 2009
Schedule of Events for Bay BridgeFest, 2009
Saturday, May 16th
When two lanes of the Bay Bridge opened in 2007, crowds cheered wildly at our coastal reconnection as the ribbon was tied and the first cars crossed the new bridge.
Residents elated by that first Bay BridgeFest pushed to make it an annual event. Thanks to numerous partners, sponsors and volunteers, we’ve done just that. The 3rd Bay BridgeFest will take place on Saturday, May 18th, in Old Town Bay St. Louis.
For the first time, the venue is Old Town Bay St. Louis, giving the festival room to grow. Several new features have been added to the celebration, including a children’s interactive art area, a Salute to the Military, an Arts Village, a special area for teens.
Members of the Hancock Chamber Welcome You to Our Third Annual Bay BridgeFest! Below is a complete schedule of events:
Friday, May 15th – 6-9pm Patrons and Sponsors Party in Old Town Bay St. Louis - $50 per person. Advance reservations requested by calling 228-467-9048. Music sponsored by Hollywood Casino, Sista Jazz, Rochelle Harper. Hancock County Cuisine by local celebrities. Sponsors: Silver Slipper, Rosetti’s Liquor Barrel, Bay Homes, Hospice Compassus, Coca Cola Bottling Company, FEB Distributing featuring Lazy Magnolia and Miller Lite and Four Seasons.
Saturday, May 16th – Bay Bridge Fest
7:30am Registration for 5K Run & ArtWalk on Pass and Bay Sides of the Bridge (Shuttle from Hollywood to the Bridge and back from 7:30am - 8:30pm.) Sponsored by Fit First Private Fitness Club, 835 Highway 90, Suite 21, Bay St. Louis & Total Body Health and Fitness, 546 St. John Street, Bay St. Louis.
8:30am 5K Run Starts on Pass Side of Bridge
For the first time, the route will go across the Bay Bridge, down the south Service Road to Second Street and finish at the Mockingbird Café in Old Town Bay St. Louis. $15 for adults/$10 for children under 12. Includes free t-shirt. Register at one of the sponsoring health clubs, the Hancock Chamber or on line at www.hancockchamber.org. Race celebration and race results published at Mockingbird Café Finish Line.
9:30am Bay Bridge Naming Ceremony
State and local officials and the Coast Community will gather at the foot of the Bay Bridge (Bay side) to honor the memory of Leo W. Seal, Jr. Featured speakers: Speaker Pro Tempore J. P. Compretta, Commissioner Wayne Brown, MDOT Executive Director Butch Brown, Congressman Gene Taylor, Lee Seal and George Schloegel. A commemorative “Clay Creation” will be presented to dignitaries.
10am Bay Bridge ArtWalk on Bay Side
Following the naming ceremony, the community will participate in the Bay Bridge ArtWalk. The installation of the Bay Bridge art is now complete. Brass placards featuring the line drawings of 16 artists are featured on the 22 placards along the two-mile walk. $15 for adults/$10 for children 12 and under. Includes free t-shirt. Register at one of the sponsoring health clubs, the Hancock Chamber or on line at www.hancockchamber.org.
Official Artist of the Bay Bridge Fest – Janie Koch won the competitive call to artists to become the featured Artist of the Bay Bridge. Her artwork brings the feel of the first site together with the new downtown site and is a collector’s artwork. The art will be featured on t-shirts and on limited edition art prints. $15 for t-shirts/ $25 for art prints.
11am – 8pm Festival Venues:
Children’s Village “ARTrageous!” (11am – 5pm) Features special entertainment and arts related activities for children. Children will be able to make their own t-shirts, fish prints, clay creations, ceramic tiles, fabric collage, crazy hats and percussion “instruments.” Lynn Meadows Discovery Center will be on hand with a special art project booth. There will also be a puppet show, storytellers and a performance by magician Brother Lee Barker beginning at 11:30am. Habitat for Humanity will sponsor a special rest area for families. Sponsored by: Kreative Kids and the Law Office of Elise Epperson Deano.
MDOT Bridge to the Arts & Business Showcase – This is a showcase of area businesses, the Arts and organizations. Booths will line Main Street. A special art auction featuring the original framed artwork from this year’s Bay Bridgefest poster and t-shirt - as well as colorized line drawing prints from several of the Bridge Art plaques - will take place during the festival. Bidding opens Friday evening at the Patrons’ party and closes at 6pm on Saturday. Also receive hurricane evacuation information from MDOT.