Main Street in Moss Point will be closed to all traffic—except cruisers—on Tuesday, October 6, when the city rolls out the red carpet for visitors and cruisers alike.
While the official cruisin’ events started in Biloxi, the enthusiasm has spread from state line to state line with events from Bay St. Louis to the west and Moss Point to the east that sits on the Alabama state line.
Cruisin’ the River City has been a sanctioned event for the past 11 years, and it continues to grow each year. Moss Point Main Street Director Sue Wright said the city welcomes everyone and wants everyone to feel as though they belong in Moss Point.
“Cruisin’ the River City puts Cruisers at the center of the experience,” Mrs. Wright said. “Much of downtown is set aside for them, with Main Street closed to through traffic from Dantzler Street south to Bellview Street, and includes the riverfront green space, Audubon Way, Sawmill Landing Park, and Arthur Street for all classic cars from 1989 and older.”
Moss Point’s 125-year-old riverfront downtown location is unlike others along the coast where guests may see bald eagles soaring overhead, an osprey gripping a mullet, migrating birds heading south for the winter, a bustling river filled with recreational and working vessels, and historic downtown structures. As home to the Pascagoula River Audubon Center, this year’s event will feature “Birds of a Feather Flock Together” that allows classic cars with a bird connection in its name, hood ornament, logo or paint, reserved parking on Audubon Way.
“But ask most Cruisers what they remember first, and it’s rarely the cars,” Mrs. Wright said. “It’s the feeling of the place. People tell us Moss Point feels relaxed and genuinely welcoming, somewhere they can slow down, visit with strangers who quickly stop being strangers, and enjoy the day without being rushed.”
Along Main Street visitors can enjoy ice cream, coffee and baked confections at Tootsies on the River, Burnham’s Drug Store features an old-fashioned diner and gift shop with local Cruisin’ merchandise, and Sugar Beans Cafe will be serving tacos, hamburgers, and lemonade. At the riverfront, Wiggles Bait and Bar sits dockside offering cold beer, wine, pizza and calzones, and food vendors of all kinds will create a food court in front of City Hall.
“Our invitation is simple—park the car, get out, meet some people, eat something good, sit by the river, and experience Moss Point,” Mrs. Wright added.
Main Street will remain closed for cruisers and visitors from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Spectators are allowed to park in areas adjacent to Main Street, and additional parking is available at Charlotte Hyatt Elementary with shuttles that will run continuously to downtown.
“It’s an easy way to enjoy the cars, food, riverfront, and atmosphere without searching for a spot in the middle of it all,” she said. “For 30 years, one week each year, a different kind of migration arrives on the Coast, and we’re proud that Moss Point is part of the journey.”
There are a variety of cruising prizes that will be awarded, but the coveted Mayor’s Award is a favorite of Moss Point Mayor Billy Knight when he picks his personal favorite car of the day.
“Cruisin’ brings thousands of people into our downtown, but we hope they leave with more than photos of beautiful cars,” Wright said. “We want them to remember the people they met, the riverfront they experienced, the food they ate, and most of all, how Moss Point made them feel.”
