BILOXI, Miss– The beaches are closed. That’s the word from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. The bacteria infested waters don’t touch the seafood you’ll celebrate in Biloxi this weekend.
You were already bummed about seeing the beaches closed, but you may have been disappointed if you already had plans for the Biloxi Seafood Festival this weekend. Don’t worry though, you’re still safe to get to that great local seafood.
“The seafood effected is anything inside the Sound,” says Rachel Seymour, Director of the Biloxi Chamber of Commerce.
That’s where the ships come in, and Robbie Wilbur at Mississippi Department of Equality says it’s only about 500 yards from shores.
“Our food comes in from deep sea fishing, offshore,” says Seymour, “then it is sold through our local distributors.”
So it is still Mississippi’s fresh and finest seafood. The ships just go a little further in the Gulf to get it.
“And all of our vendors are subject to health inspections,” Seymour says they’ll be inspecting all the food as it comes in and on Saturday.
The Biloxi Seafood Festival is a tradition spanning back 33 years. This year is special; it’s the first year since Katrina that the Festival has been in its original location at Point Cadet.
“We’re excited to be there, and to serve fresh Mississippi seafood,” Seymour says.
The Biloxi Seafood Festival is Saturday from 10am-9pm and Sunday from 10am-5pm at Point Cadet in Biloxi.
