A dim Fourth in Biloxi.....

[Ixolib]

Coast Celebrates Unusual Post-Katrina Fourth Of July
July 4, 2006, 06:20 PM EDT
WLOX TV

Joe Wallis had just added lighter fluid to his charcoal. Flames were burning off a previously cooked meal. As Walls scrubbed off the remaining food, he talked about the debris surrounding his picnic area.

"It's a messed up Fourth of July is what it is," he said.

Messed up? Maybe. But storm debris was no reason for the Wallis clan to cancel an annual picnic.

Sharon Touchet organized the reunion.

"Even though things are devastated here, why not continue the tradition," she said, pointing out that the Wallis family had been hosting a Fourth of July get together for more than 35 years. "It's part of our heritage. It's part of Biloxi."

At the other end of the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor, David Williams got a radio call.

"Go ahead," the Biloxi fireman responded.

Williams was on board the city's fire boat, preparing for his holiday assignment. When asked if the day felt like a typical Fourth of July, Williams said, "No, it doesn't."

The Biloxi fireman ran the city's fire boat past beach front properties that on most Fourth of Julys would be jam packed with people.

"It's weird," he said. "You're used to seeing this place full of tourists, full of locals, enjoying the beach, enjoying Deer Island."

But on the first Fourth of July since Hurricane Katrina, the beach was virtually empty. And Deer Island only had a few tents on it. There were a number of pleasure boats on the water. But the firemen didn't see the typical parade out to the islands that normally accompanies this summer holiday.

"Normally this whole area right here is slap full of boats," Williams noted, pointing to the area between Deer Island and the Beau Rivage.

Billy Orr worked with Williams. "I think it will be slow this year," Orr said. "But give it a few more years, you'll see it bigger and better than what it used to be."

And when it picks up, you can bet the Wallis' will be set up in the same spot -- celebrating the Fourth of July together -- in downtown Biloxi.

"We're going to still survive," Wallis said as he got ready to place meat over his sizzling coals. "It's going to come back to where it's beautiful in Biloxi."

by Brad Kessie

[TSmith274]

Yeah, I know what you mean. In New Orleans, usually the lakefront is packed full of families and kids playing... bbq's burning, tents set up, sailboats and other boats... Today it was completely empty. I drove out there and was depressed. This is all just adding up inside me nowadays. Mardi Gras was great... lots of people and mostly local families. But as every holiday goes by... I notice how much things have changed for us, both in Louisiana and Mississippi. I hope we can get back to normal soon.

[Audrey2Katrina]

Sorry to hear this. I was with family at something of a post-Katrina reunion. Did anyone see how it went along the Riverwalk/Jax Brewery? They usually have a nice 4th display... but I didn't hear much about it this year.

A2K

[skysummit]

Sorry to hear this. I was with family at something of a post-Katrina reunion. Did anyone see how it went along the Riverwalk/Jax Brewery? They usually have a nice 4th display... but I didn't hear much about it this year.

A2K

I was driving through I10 and 610 during the event. I tuned into 870 am to see the simulcast. You could see the fireworks all the way from the Luling Bridge. From what I could see, it looked great.

I didn't know this, but "Go Fourth On The River" is labeled as the #5 Must See Fireworks Show in the U.S.

[Rocketman]

I must say I was glad to hear the lack of fireworks this year.

It's just too dry!

[MGC]

I must say that the 4th was quit a bit subdued. We went to Boomtown Casino to celebrate the 4th. Had a nice meal and lost some money. Saw some fireworks as we drove home along HWY-90. All I can say is I LOVE AMERICA......MGC

[f5]

Katrina changed alot on the Gulf coast thats for sure

[MSRobi911]

Well here in Pascagoula we had one heck of a show. The local businessmen donated money to pay for our fireworks that the city usually buys but couldn't afford because of the drain of cash from Katrina. The cities, counties and municipalities have to actually pay the bills and then be reimbursed by FEMA so money is not in abundance in our local governments. The Beach Park pier was pretty messed up so Colle Towing donated a barge to use to shoot the fireworks from as did Billy Walters for the Memorial Day Celebration. I didn't stroll down to Beach Park but I know from the traffic that it had to be full. My family all came over to our "trailer court" (hahahaha) actually the most people that had ever come to park at the house for the fireworks were there and we had watermelon and Birthday Cake and Ice Cream. The cars were parked all the way up to Market Street on Beach Blvd. and to 11th Street on Washington Ave. They left the lights off and closed off Beach Blvd. at Market Street, which they had never done before which was great!

Everyone had a wonderful time and you could hear the applause up and down the water when the show ended. There were a lot more boats out in the gulf than I have seen in a long long time and the islands were pretty full Saturday night from from my BIL said from his trip out there. A lot of people lost their boats and there is still a lot of debris in the water so you have to be very careful when you do go out.

But all in all we had a wonderful 4th of July and hope to have more bigger and better ones as time goes by. Of course, I won't have the view that I have now, I didn't have to leave my yard because there are no houses in front of me

Mary