Welcome to the 28th annual Cruisin’ The Coast, the largest block party in America. What started in 1996 as a modest festival celebrating antique, classic, and hot rod vehicles, along with nostalgic music and related events, has now blossomed into a grand event. The number of registered vehicles has seen a significant surge, from 374 in the first year to a staggering 8,308 in 2017. Car enthusiasts from 40 states, Canada, Germany, and Puerto Rico, gather annually on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to showcase their rides. They cruise the 30-mile beach-side highway with stops in various towns, creating a spectacle that continues to grow each year.
Each venue at Cruisin’ The Coast is a vibrant mini festival, offering a diverse range of attractions. From live bands to reserved parking for cruisers, spectator parking, and food and merchandise vendors, there’s something for everyone. Registered cruisers receive an ID card to display in their car’s front window, granting them access to venues with reserved parking. A program with maps is provided for individual planning, as events are scheduled throughout the week. The week-long event includes cruise-ins, a salute to veterans, a car auction, a swap meet, a car corral, and a parade, ensuring a rich and varied experience for all attendees.
Cruisin’ The Coast relies on the support of 12 host car clubs with over 700 volunteers assisting with various tasks. Volunteers ensure the event runs smoothly and all guests have a great time. The event has garnered prestigious awards and recognition, including the Governor’s Excellence in Tourism Award and the Shining Example Award for Best Festival/Event of the Year in Mississippi.
Here are some new attractions to take note of this year:
*On Saturday, October 5, the Biloxi Shuckers and Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi teamed up for an outdoor concert at Keesler Federal Credit Union Field, home of the Shuckers, for the “Grand Slam Jam” all-day concert. Some of the acts included Chapel Hart, Tab Benoir, Rockin Doopsie, and many more.
*Pass Christian Bottle Shoppe and Crittenden Distillery have teamed up for the first CTC Collector Bourbon Bottle, which will be available to purchase beginning Monday, October 7, at the PCBS. There will only be about 300 bottles of this exclusive bourbon available. More info can be found on the PCBS Facebook page.
* For the first time, CTC will have a seminar for car enthusiasts. Charlie Hutton, a painter on the “American Hot Rod” TV series, will conduct a painting seminar sponsored by PPG Paint on Thursday, October 10, at the CTC Swap Meet at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
* Gulfport Dragway, a returning sponsor of CTC, will host the Southeast Gassers Gulf Coast Nationals on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11 and 12. The Gulfport Dragway Facebook page has more information.
*Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis will host an outdoor Friday, Oct. 11, concert featuring the Molly Ringwalds on October 11.
*Hollywood Casino will also be the site of our “Super Saturday” concert. This year, a Parrothead Cruisers Party will feature the Caribbean Chillers, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. Info on both concerts can be found on the Hollywood Casino Facebook page.
* Spectator parking will be available at Cruise Central, located at Centennial Plaza Resort in Gulfport. Our spectator parking is primarily in a vacant lot just east of Centennial Plaza. Still, due to the development of that property, we’ve had to relocate the primary spectator parking to Hardy Court Shopping Center on Courthouse Road. Beginning Monday, October 7, spectators for Cruise Central will be able to park at Hardy Court Shopping Center and take a FREE transport via Coast Transit Authority to and from Cruise Central all week.
The complete schedule can be found at: cruisinthecoast.com
As of 2023, CTC registered a staggering 10,070 vehicles, marking a record-breaking year and the first time the 10,000-vehicle plateau had been reached. This monumental achievement is a testament to the growing popularity and success of Cruisin’ The Coast.
This year, early registration ended on August 15 with 8,255 vehicles from 43 states, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Onsite registration will open Monday, October 7, at 11 a.m. at Cruise Central, and CTC expects to be close to that 10,000-plus number again.
