Classic cars, entertainment, beaches, and meeting new friends. This is what Cruisin’ the Coast is all about. Who doesn’t like to see a beautiful 1957 Chevrolet there is much more than just looking at great cars. This event is about family and camaraderie. As you walk around these great cars and trucks, notice the owners beaming with pride. These car owners put blood, sweat, and tears into their cars for you. Do you need an excuse to visit the beach in October when it’s cold up north? Use the Cruisin’ the Coast event as your reason.
October 6 through 13 – 2024
SEE SCHEDULE BELOW
I mentioned the entertainment and of course, there is lots of oldies entertainment planned all over the Mississippi Gulf Coast. One of the most unique things about this event is that it is not just held at fairgrounds. It’s literally held all over the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Events are planned for every city. Vintage cars are displayed on streets closed off for the event at the time. On the day of the event, you can walk around the cars parked on closed streets, and enjoy food and live entertainment. I like talking with the vehicle owners.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
OCTOBER 6 – Sunday
Gulfport – View the cruise, in downtown Gulfport from 8 AM until 5 PM
MONDAY- October 7
Long Beach – Parade 5:30 PM
TUESDAY- October 8
Moss Point – Cruisin the River City – 10:00 AM – 2 PM
WEDNESDAY October 9
Biloxi – Block party downtown 8 AM – 3 PM
Waveland – Hot Rods & Hospitality, Coleman Ave 10 AM – 2 PM
Diamondhead – Blessing of the Classics – 4 PM – 7 PM
THURSDAY October 10
Pass Christian – Fleitas Ave 5 PM – Dusk
Entertainment throughout the coast, Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Edgewater Mall, D’Iberville, Ocean Springs Downtown, Pascagoula.
FRIDAY October 11
Ocean Springs – Sock Hop & Street Party 5:20 PM – 9 PM
Bay St. Louis – Hollywood Casino free outdoor concert 7 PM
Gulfport – Gulf Coast Nationals, Gasser Racing Gulfport Dragway 5PM
Entertainment throughout the coast
SATURDAY October 12
Biloxi – Treasure Bay Casino Car Corral 9 AM – 5 PM
Gulfport – Gulf Coast Nationals, Gasser Racing Gulfport Dragway 1PM
Aircraft fly by at 2 PM entire Gulf Coast
Entertainment throughout the Coast
SUNDAY OCTOBER 13
Event wrap up finale ceremonies 9-10:30 AM
All of the cities are involved in Cruisin the Coast
Not only are all of the cities involved in the event, but casinos are also as well. One of the biggest events is at the Beau Rivage. In 2022 the Beach Boys played. Considering the number of cars dating from when the Beach Boys became popular, their music was a perfect fit. South Mississippi is literally inundated with new people and many people from Canada drive down for the event and part of the winter.
Holding the event during the first week of October each year allows the hotels, vacation rentals, and others to provide accommodation without competing with the summer crowds. The event has actually created its own tourism season. Many people come to Cruisin’ the Coast to see the vehicles and enjoy the live bands for the first time. Some decide that the Mississippi Gulf Coast will be their new vacation venue.
You need not go to any of the events to see these hot rod automobiles, just drive along the beautiful 30-mile stretch of beachside highway and you will see plenty of vehicles to distract your driving. The best part, the entire event is free to the public. Of course, food, drink, and accommodations have a cost but there are no entry fees. The massive event is largely held outside. There are drag races and even the city of Long Beach Parade of classic cars is something to see.
Top 10 most valuable American-made cars
| Rank | Car | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Split Window Coupe | $3 million – $4 million |
| 2 | 1965 Ford GT40 | $10 million – $12 million |
| 3 | 1954 Nash Healey Le Mans | $6 million – $8 million |
| 4 | 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air | $1 million – $1.5 million |
| 5 | 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 | $5 million – $7 million |
| 6 | 1955 Lincoln Continental Mark II | $1 million – $1.5 million |
| 7 | 1953 Chrysler Imperial Crown | $750,000 – $1 million |
| 8 | 1953 Packard Caribbean | $750,000 – $1 million |
| 9 | 1954 Nash Ambassador Custom | $500,000 – $750,000 |
Facts about the 2022 Cruisin the Coast event:
- The oldest car registered was a 1909 Ford Model T.
- The most valuable car registered was a 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 KR. (est value $1M+)
- The longest parade of cars was 1.5 miles long.
- The event raised over $100,000 for local charities.
- 1.5 million spectators
- 9,618 registered vehicles +1.000 from 2021
- The largest special event in the state of Mississippi
- Cruisin the Coast is the largest attended automobile show in the United States. #2 is Chicago with 1.2 million
America’s largest block party
Cruisin’ the Coast is called America’s largest block party a term that fits. Basically, vehicles are parked for blocks and you can walk around with adult beverages. Often the temperature at this time in October is warm so walking around with a cold beer or iced tea (sweet) cools you off. Live music is everywhere. It seems that every band in a three-state area is here providing entertainment. This is considered a car show but it’s much more than that.
Car enthusiasts can share their mutual affection for these vehicles. If you have been around for a while, you may remember a car that you would have killed to have when you were younger but could not afford. Many of these old cars bring a tear to our faces as we remember something important about them. Perhaps your memory is driving a 1965 Mustang to the drive-in with a girlfriend or boyfriend.
Or the family vacation in your 1959 Ford station wagon. In my opinion, this show is all about memories. Classic car owners often buy a model vehicle that has memories for them. Then they make new memories such as attending the Cruisin’ the Coast event and meeting new people.
Flame-throwing competition
Cruisin’ the Coast is the largest event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Yes, it’s a bit slow driving on Beach Blvd, our great scenic highway. Hot rods everywhere you look. I don’t mind the slow traffic because it gives me time to see the cars and trucks safely. So far, I have talked mostly about just the cars but there is so much more going on. There was a flame-throwing competition at the Island View Casino last year. The city of Diamondhead held the Blessing of the Classics.
A favorite event is the Ocean Springs Sock Hop. Yes, right out of the 1950s. Everyone seemed to have a great time as nostalgic music was played. These and other related events keep visitors busy. There are so many things to do along the Mississippi Gulf Coast at any time, such as 12 casinos, fishing, boating, and more. Add to this the biggest special event of the year and you can see why Cruisin’ the Coast is the place to be the first week of October.
Spectator parking is available all over the Gulf Coast and it’s generally free. A few homeowners may offer their property for parking for a small fee. The Vicari Auto Auction is a highlight of the show for those looking to acquire their own hot rod vehicles.
Car auctions and people selling their cars
In addition to the car auction, some people just hang signs on their cars. You can buy event merchandise such as t-shirts. I own a few with different dates. Of course, all of the great shops in Ocean Springs and Bay St. Louis are open even during special events or Cruise-in.
Among the best places to see vehicles are Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, downtown Gulfport, and downtown Ocean Springs. Other venues are nice as well, these areas tend to have larger turnouts. The swap meet is usually held at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
2024 from Oct 6 through Oct 13
The dates for 2024 are October 6 through October 13 a long event. Most of the activities for visitors begin on October 2 through October 6. Be sure to book your accommodations well in advance. Christies Gulf Beach Rentals offers vacation rental properties on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. After mid-July, if vacation rental properties are not all booked for Cruisin the Coast, they may have some on hold.
Check out our calendar. If no vacancies show up, send a text or call for availability of last-minute cancelations or held properties. Call Brian at 228-669-3058.
You can book on Airbnb and VRBO or use the ChristiesGulfBeachRentals.com site to book directly. Cruizin the Coast generally causes all accommodations on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to be booked in advance of the event. Don’t wait.
For more current information check out the extensive article at RetireCoast.com or you can go to the cruisinthecoast.com site.