FREE Summer Things for Families to Do in Gulfport, MS

FREE Summer Things for Families to Do in Gulfport, MS

GULFPORT BEACH The beach is always free and is a fun place to go. Bring lunch, spend the day and create memories. Fire Pits in designated areas are available to rent for a small fee. Contact www.gulfport-ms.gov for more information. HWY 90 Gulfport, MS BUSTED WRENCH GARAGE, MUSEUM, & GIFT SHOP 2311 29th Street Phone: (228) 864-9082 http://bustedwrench.com/ Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm No Admission charged. For the Classic Car Enthusiast a visit to Busted Wrench Garage, Museum, & Gift Shop is an absolute MUST! Classic cars, motorcycles, and even boats displayed in a 6,000 square foot exhibit hall. The display is three-dimensional, and lined with plaques, antique posters, and other nostalgic mementos along the walls, with the assortment changing from time-to-time. There is also an automotive gift shop on site featuring just about anything a car enthusiast could want.

Hwy 49 & Hwy 90 www.gulfport-ms.gov 67TH ANNUAL MISSISSIPPI DEEP SEA FISHING RODEO *Not Completely Free but Affordable Billed as the largest family friendly fishing rodeo in the world, this successful yearly event includes fun for the entire family. The event features fireworks, fishing, fellowship, vendors, and FUN! Contestants fish the Gulf waters for days, competing for cash and prizes in 30 categories of both saltwater and freshwater fish. In previous years, records for tuna, shark and flounder have been broken at the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. The fishing rodeo attracts an average of 50,000 people every year, and even made the cover of Sports Illustrated! Date(s): 07/02/2015-07/05/2015, Saturday, July 4 th is the most kid friendly day, with Kids Fishing Rodeo, Castnet Competition, Prizes and Fireworks Times: Gates open Noon Daily Location: Jones Park, Highway 90, Gulfport - Barksdale Pavilion Admission: $5 Admission, Children 5 and under free www.mississippideepseafishingrodeo.com GO TO WEBSITE TO CHECK TIMES FOR KID FRIENDLY EVENTS

GASTON POINT SPLASH 1506 Mills Ave Phone: (228) 868-5881 Gaston Point Splash Pad is a 1,500-square-foot splash pad features water bucket drops, water rings for children to walk through, and several toddler sprays. Activated by touch, water sprays for several minutes and then reactivates. Socks and/or shoes recommended due to the concrete surface, and infants & toddlers are to wear disposable swim pants. Although pavilions are located near the pads, parents may wish to bring lawn chair. Free! ISLAND STRIKZ BOWLING CENTER 2302 East Pass Road Gulfport, MS 39507 Phone: (228) 896-1450 www.islandstrikz.com www.kidsbowlfree.com (Children need to be registered) The Island Strikz Entertainment Center features 24 state of the art bowling lanes, Village Sports Pub, deluxe arcade, and full service snackbar. The facility is open 7 days a week and features "Cosmic" bowling with all the modern technology in sound and lighting. Island Strikz is the Coast "Koolest" family entertainment spot!

JONES PARK SPLASH PAD Hwy 49 & Hwy 90 Phone: (228) 868-5881 Jones Park Splash Pad is a zero-depth aquatic solution that is comprised of a tropical theme and combines the sensations of different water movements. These movements consist of flowing, misting, and jetting with standard products for uncompromising design and unequalled play adventure. The Jones Park Splash Pad provides the most relaxing experience mixed with family fun for all ages. Its palm trees and beach front location gives it a calming place to relax as well as an exciting place to let go and release lots of fun filled energy. Free! Library - Gulfport - Public 1708 25th Avenue 228-871-7171 http://harrison.lib.ms.us/ Check the website for story time activities throughout the summer. Hours: Mon-Thurs Fri Sat Sun 9 AM to 6 PM 9 AM to 3 PM 10 AM to 2 PM Closed

Library - Orange Grove - Public 12135 Old Hwy 49 Gulfport, MS 39503 228-832-6924 http://harrison.lib.ms.us/ Hours: Mon-Thurs Fri Sat Sun 9 AM to 6 PM 9 AM to 3 PM 10 AM to 2 PM Closed Lowe's Of Gulfport, MS 2151 John Hill Blvd., Store #0466 Phone: (228) 867-9000 Fax: (228) 868-0946 Sign up at www.lowes.com FREE BUILD & GROW CLINICS FOR CHILDREN Saturdays at 10 a.m. Build with wood, learn new skills and gain confidence - just for kids and only at Lowe's. Receive kit, googles and certificate.

MAGNOLIA STATE ROCKER WORLD S LARGEST ROCKING CHAIR 11451 Canal Road Gulfport, MS 39503 Phone: (228) 832-0079 Built in 1995 by the Dedeaux Family Furniture Factory as an advertisement, The Magnolia State Rocker, aka the "World s Largest Rocking Chair is 35 tall and all handcrafted from southern pine. On December 18, 2007, the rocking chair received a great honor - a makeover by Hampton Inn and now s listed as a Hampton Inn Save-A-Landmark! In addition to this massive icon, the Dedeaux s also built another huge chair that stands 25 tall! The original 35 tall Magnolia Rocker stands tall in front of the Dedeaux Family Furniture Factory on Canal Road, while the 25 sits on Highway 49! Stop by either of these roadside relics and take your vacation photo! The landmarks will rock you! MARSHALL JESUS SCULPTURE 438 Silver Ridge Gulfport, MS 39507 Come out and view this very spiritual sculpture, the Marshall Jesus Sculpture, a tree trunk transformed into a sculpted work of art! A tree that was damaged in Hurricane Katrina has been given new life in the form of a 6 foot high & 4 foot wide carving of Jesus.

The tree was struck by lightning and cutting the water oak down was not an option. The tree had been there since 1940 & was part of the family s history. The sculpture began December 26, 2012 and was completed just in time for Easter 2013 by chainsaw artist Dave Perez. Visitors are welcome to stop by and take pictures. The Marshalls gladly give narrated tours on Saturdays & Sundays when available. Directions: Turn north on to Cowan Lorraine Road, cross railroad tracks, take left on to 5 th Street, then turn right on to Silver Ridge Road, 3 rd house on the right. Pull into the property and park play adventure. The Jones Park Splash Pad provides the most WEST SIDE SPLASH PARK 4010 West Beach Blvd Phone: (228) 868-5881 West Side Park Splash Pad offers a ¼ mile rubberized lighted walking track, pavilion, KABOOM playground equipment, shoofly, and a splash pad! The 3,000 square foot splash pad offers a pirateship play structure with water bucket drops; several palm trees, numerous water rings for children to walk through, a whale s tail, as well as several toddler sprays! Infants and toddlers are required to wear disposable swim pants, and aqua socks/shoes recommended. Pads hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on a daily basis. Free!