GAMING OPTIONS

SUMMER SPLASH

GULFPORT -- As uncomfortable as this summer’s hot and dry conditions may be in South Mississippi, it’s ideal water-park weather, said Mark Moore, manager of Gulf Islands Waterpark in Gulfport.

On a good, hot day as many as 1,500 people splash in the pools and ride the slides at the park just off Interstate 10 in Gulfport.

Moore is anticipating a busy Independence Day weekend. “You’re never going to compete with free fireworks,” he said, or family barbecues. But he can offer families a fun way to beat the heat.

AMANDA McCOY/SUN HERALD A woman relaxes Monday while floating down the Lazy Pearl River, one of the many water attractions at Gulf Islands Waterpark. The park has been a popular destination with high temperatures scorching the Coast.

“The kids love it,” said Terri Ardeneaux of Pearl River. Her group of four women and several girls was first in line at the park Tuesday to claim the best covered tables. “We come every year,” she said.

Last year the Gulf oil spill boosted local attendance at the water park. This year the hot weather has kept admission about the same, but the difference is the tourists are back, Moore said.

Tam Smith and her family drove over from New Orleans on Tuesday for her son Kyle’s seventh birthday. Other water parks in the region are too big for younger children, she said. “We’re probably going to buy season passes on the way out.”

A six-lane racing slide, the first new water slide for Gulf Islands since the park opened in 2005, should be ready in a few weeks. “There’s a lot of excitement surrounding it,” Moore said. The construction area, separate from the other operations, still provides a view of what is ahead.

Six years after Hurricane Katrina demolished Buccaneer State Park’s water park and wave pool in Hancock County and water slides on beach in Harrison County, Barnacle Bill’s water park and mini-golf course opened this summer at Coast Inn on U.S. 90 in Waveland. Along with two 25-foot water slides, Barnacle Bill’s has a lazy river, a pirate ship, water cannons and kiddie pool.

“The busiest time is 4 to 8 p.m.,” said general manager Deb Ruhr, when a twilight pass is only $10. It’s been a challenge to let people know the water park isn’t only for hotel guests but also is open to the public, she said. “We’re hoping to be packed this weekend.”

Susan Temples of Bogalusa, La., brought her family to Coast Inn for a mini-vacation. The four kids could safely play in the water park, she said, and the beach is only a mile away.

A proposal for another new water park, this one at Breakers Inn on Beach Boulevard in Biloxi, will be outlined today to the city’s Development Review Committee.

For more information on the family friendly activities on the MS Gulf Coast go to www.visitmscoast.org or www.visitmscoast.xanga.com

Summer Travel Tips

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Biloxi Fais Do Do & Blessing of the Fleet - Mississippi Gulf Coast Updates - June 4, 2011

Susan LaBrecque visits the Biloxi Fais Do Do on Town Green for delicious seafood, entertainment and the crowning of the shrimp king and queen. It's all part of the 82nd Annual Blessing of the Fleet. The party continues Sunday with a ceremonial dropping of the wreath at 2pm, followed by the colorful and fun boat parade. It's another Coast tradition you have to experience for yourself! If you don't make it this year, put it on your calendar for 2012! And, make plans to attend all of our wonderful events on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Start now at www.visitmscoast.org. Wish you were here!

For more information about the exciting festivals we have on the MS Gulf Coast go to www.visitmscoast.org or www.visitmscoast.xanga.com

Bay Bridge Fest - Mississippi Gulf Coast Updates - May 21, 2011

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Susan LaBrecque knows where to find all of the best festivals and events on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She reports from the Bay Bridge Fest in Old Town Bay St. Louis to tell you all about it. This annual event celebrates the local culture and businesses through amazing art, delicious food and three stages of entertainment. Also taking place this weekend is Smokin' the Lake drag boat racing on Gulfport Lake. There's always something happening on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Discover it all at www.visitmscoast.org. Wish you were here!

For more information go to www.visitmscoast.org or www.visitmscoast.xanga.com.

Top 10 Memorial Day beach destinations

Hancock County tourism looking optimistic

BAY ST. LOUIS, MS (WLOX) -

It's one of the most important industries in the State: tourism has a $5.5 billion economic impact in Mississippi according to state tourism leaders.

In recent years, the industry on the Coast has taken a hit from Katrina, then the down turn in the national economy and most recently the BP oil spill.

Leaders in Hancock County tell us why they have reason for optimism for a good summer tourism season.

Some well known local faces from the world of politics traded their days jobs Wednesday afternoon to become tourism ambassadors like: Democratic Senator David Baria of Bay St. Louis and Representative Dirk Dedeaux, (D) District 93 Hancock County

"We want to entice you to go down and hit the Gulf Coast," Baria said. "It's beautiful down there."

"We're here today to promote tourist attractions in our local community ranging from Stennis Space Center to the Gulf Of Mexico and everywhere in between," Dedeaux said.

As part of National Travel and Tourism Week, the Hancock County I-10 Welcome Center rolled out the red carpet for visitors to the state who made a stop here.

Welcome Center Manager Bobbie Tate said, "National Travel and Tourism week is a week where we let our tourist know how much we appreciate them visiting our area, and we just show them a little extra special hospitality while they are here."

Tourism leaders say last year's summer season suffered greatly by the BP oil spill, the national economy and post Katrina infrastructure work in Hancock County.

"We are much improved over how we were, how we looked, the quality of our product before Katrina, so we are wide-open ready for visitors to come," Hancock County Tourism Director Beth Carriere said.

Tourism leaders said the increasing numbers give them reason for optimism. In the first five months of last year, 101,000 tourists visited the Hancock County Welcome Center. In the same time frame this year, 107,000 tourists passed through.

"We've seen approximately 2,000 more tourists per month as opposed to last year. So I think more and more people are traveling this year," Tate said.

Carriere said what Hancock County has to offer tourists continues to grow, too.

"Barnacle Bill's is a new attraction that's being added to our area and should open in a week or two," Carriere said. "We're very excited about that! So between fishing, crabbing, playing in the sand, going in the water, going to Stennis, enjoying the restaurants and the shops and the whole historic aspect of this area, there's not much more than a little family could ask for."

Tourism leaders are hoping to capitalize on the current gas crisis. They are hoping residents from neighboring Louisiana will opt for shorter distance vacations and choose Hancock County for their summer fun.

http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?s=14629573

Landing of d'Iberville - Mississippi Gulf Coast Updates - May 1, 2011

Susan LaBrecque is in Ocean Springs for the Weekend of Discovery, an event that's all about our honoring and celebrating our history and culture. The event included an arts and crafts festival, regatta, block party and more. This is the grand finale, the colorful and dramatic reenactment of the landing of d'Ibervile and his crew on our shore. The 1699 Historical Society puts on this great event, and it's one of many unique experiences on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Discover them all at www.visitmscoast.org. Wish you were here!

Art in the Pass - Mississippi Gulf Coast Updates - April 3, 2011

Susan LaBrecque visits you from the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast to share a very special event - the 14th Annual Art in the Pass. Held at War Memorial Park in Pass Christian, this festival features more than 90 artists from 10 states, delicious food, live entertainment and lots of activities for the children. We love our festivals on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and we know you will too! Find your fun at www.visitmscoast.org. Wish you were here!

Angels Over the Bay Air Show - Mississippi Gulf Coast Updates

The military plays a very important role on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and hosts some great events for the public! Susan LaBrecque reports from the Angels Over the Bay Air Show and open house at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. It's a very special event for Keesler as they celebrate 70 years of history on the coast. The Blue Angels and other military aerial performers put on an amazing show, and that was just one part of the wonderful weekend event. Discover all of the fun things taking place this spring on the Mississippi Gulf Coast at www.visitmscoast.org. Wish you were here!

'Saltwater Sportsman' Editor and Host of ESPN's 'Offshore Adventures' Taut MS Gulf Coast Fishing and Seafood.

What did you do for Mardi Gras?

Did you hit the streets of Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach or even Bay St. Louis looking to grab a few beads?

Or did you hit the water looking to land a nice speckled trout or even a redfish?

If you were lucky, you might have been able to do both despite a nasty thunderstorm on Mardi Gras.

I did both.

Instead of wetting a hook, I talked fishing with three of the top minds in the business -- brought to Biloxi by the tourism commission -- about the possible long-term effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill before the parade began.

Like I’ve said in the past, the major effects will be with certain species like tuna, dolphin and a few bottom dwellers of the Gulf of Mexico.

John Brownlee, the editor-in-chief of Saltwater Sportsman Magazine, as well as Chris Fischer and his wife, Melissa, agree.

Chris and Melissa Fischer are host of Offshore Adventures on ESPN where they travel around the world fishing and diving some of the top destinations.

“The Biloxi area is great,” Brownlee said. “I have always loved the area because it has the best hunting and fishing in the world. You have the Florida Keys, Biloxi and the Carolinas.

“But Biloxi has the biggest fish of the three places. And you have more of them, too.”

Brownlee, like myself, believes we’re dealing with a misconception that South Mississippi is dead in the water due to the oil spill and Hurricane Katrina nearly six years ago.

“To some, perception is reality,” he said. “The perception among anglers is the government is out of control with its regulations, especially with snapper and grouper.

“Plus, consumer confidence is low, but that is getting better. Then you have the misconception that you can’t catch fish in the Gulf and that is not true. The oil is one more bad thing to set the area back. Now, you have dead porpoises washing up on the beaches. That is not good.”

With all that in mind, Brownlee in a future Saltwater Sportsman Magazine issue will dedicate a story to the world that South Mississippi is open.

H also said the Gulf will be fine for three to four years.

That’s based on a year spawning cycle for species like red snapper, tuna, dolphin and others that may have been whipped out last year by the oil spill.

“We have to keep hammering the message that fishing is as good as it has ever been,” he said. “We may find out that the oil did (damage) the bluefin tuna because this is a major breeding ground for them. I am worried about that because no year class of bluefin or dolphin will hurt.

“We should know something in a couple of years and that could have an effect on local seafood. Right now, there are no reports that there is anything wrong with the seafood and we have to keep hammering that to the public and get rid of the perception. I ate seafood since I got here and it’s fine. The oil spill was a major event, but the ocean is resilient.”

Chris Fischer, like John Brownlee, believes in the overall mechanics of the Gulf of Mexico.

“I believe in the power of the ocean and the scale of the ocean,” he said. “It can handle a lot of tough times, like the oil spill. Friends of mine have told me that fishing in the Gulf right now is as good as it has ever been.

“I think the Gulf is going through (recovery mode) right now.”

Chris and Melissa Fischer are optimistic about the future of the Gulf.

After all, they are known for their extensive research on large bodies of salt water and are founding chairmen of Ocean Research (ocearch.org).

“Think about how much of the world is covered by water,” he said. “Most people do not understand how big the Gulf is. Even with millions of gallons of oil, it’s small within the overall size of the Gulf. But it can be and was scary. When I first heard of the oil spill, I was sick.

“Look at things a year later. My hope is to get Mississippi back on the map for its world-class fishing. Most people think you have to get on a plane and travel to exotic places to fish on a world-class level. That is not true. This is a jewel of America that many Americans do not know about.”

To help promote Biloxi and South Mississippi, the Fischers will film a TV show later this year and air the show next spring showcasing its beauty.

The show is called “Want to go fishing.”

“Our host, Matt Eastman, will walk up to a complete stranger with a cameraman,” Chris Fischer said. “Hopefully it will be from an event where it’s cold. He will ask that person ‘Hey, what are you doing this weekend? Do you want to go to Biloxi for three days or world class fishing?’ ”

But there will be a small catch.

“Matt will tell them they have five minutes and two phone calls -- then it’s off to Biloxi,’’ Chris Fischer said. “It’s normally a phone call to the boss and a call to the bride.

“They have to do it in five minutes. Then we bring them to Biloxi and show how pretty the area is. That is something that Melissa and I can do for this area. We want to show on TV that Biloxi is open and the fish are biting. I am pulling for the people and the economy.”

Travel bargains put Gulf Coast in Top 10

Top of the Hops Beer Festival - Mississippi Gulf Coast Updates - February 19, 2011

Susan LaBrecque visits you from the magnificent Mississippi Coast Convention Center where a great time was had by all at Biloxi's first Top of the Hops beer festival. Upon entering the festival, guests received a two-ounce cup for unlimited tasting of the more than 150 craft beers from around the world. The presenting sponsor of this great event, South Mississippi's own Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company, was among the many breweries offering their creations. Others included Abita, Diamond Bear, Durango, Flying Dog and many more. For more wonderful events on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, go to www.visitmscoast.org. Wish you were here!

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Long Beach Dining - Mississippi Gulf Coast Updates - February 1, 2011

Mississippi Gulf Coast reporter Susan LaBrecque visits Jeff Davis Avenue in Long Beach for some wonderful dining restaurants. Bull's is a new place by the owners of an old favorite, Barnaby's. Bull's offers a great variety for lunch and dinner. If you're hungry for breakfast, try Harbor View Cafe, another old favorite that recently moved down the street. Those are just a few of the many awesome options on Jeff Davis Avenue and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Find more at www.visitmscoast.org. Wish you were here!

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Confusion Restaurant - Mississippi Gulf Coast Updates - January 26, 2011

Susan LaBrecque visits you from a cool little restaurant on the Mississippi Gulf Coast - Confusion. Located just blocks from the beach in Gulfport, Confusion has a very intimate and artsy atmosphere, with a menu that's equally creative. Enjoy lunch, dinner or delicious specialty drinks. Confusion is one of many wonderful restaurants on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Discover them all at www.visitmscoast.org. Wish you were here!