This weekend in Gulfport-Biloxi, MS

The 2026 Gulf Coast Heart Walk at Jones Park Gulfport brings the community together to move with purpose and celebrate heart health. Walking supports both physical and mental well-being while helping drive efforts that fuel medical breakthroughs, put lifesaving CPR skills into more hands, and improve quality of life for survivors. Friends, families, and coworkers can team up for a lively route filled with finish line cheers and inspiring smiles from those who have overcome heart challenges. Participants can also start a personal fundraiser to support this mission. Expect an uplifting atmosphere, plenty of encouragement, and a great reason to get your heart pumping.

At the MS Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, this packing party brings together a volunteer crew in the hundreds alongside dozens of host car clubs from across the coast to assemble 11,000 swag bags for this year's Cruisin' the Coast registrants. It offers a collaborative, hands-on way to support event preparations and provides an opportunity to begin accumulating CtC hours.

A community beach cleanup takes place at the Biloxi Lighthouse parking lot along the beach. This volunteer effort uses a simple drop in format, with no advance sign up required, so anyone interested in helping can arrive and lend a hand in keeping the shoreline tidy.

Alley Cats Bowling at Cypress Lanes in D'Iberville is looking for volunteers to assist special needs bowlers. The effort is led by SSgt Vo and A1C Lugens Simeon.

Reigniting The Dream Summit brings together partners, leaders, and advocates to strengthen collective impact. Held at Greater St John AME Church, the event features a keynote address by Hezekiah Watkins, a firsthand witness to the American Civil Rights Movement. At 13 he was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi after being mistaken for a Freedom Rider and was sent to Parchman, an experience that launched a lifelong commitment to civil rights. He was arrested more than 100 times while challenging segregation and inequality and working to broaden opportunity for future generations. Today he speaks nationwide to help young people understand their history and raise their voices for change. Registration information will be shared by the organizers.

A family-friendly pottery workshop at the City of Biloxi Ceramics Center on the campus of the Ohr O'Keefe Museum focuses on creating a Halloween-themed cat wind chime. Participants build with clay slabs and templates, add details with underglazes, and the pieces are then bisque fired, finished with a clear glaze, and fired once more. Projects will be ready for pickup in approximately two to three weeks. Instruction is provided by Lara Blanchard, and no prior experience is needed. This class is designed for ages 10 and up. Children under 16 must attend with a parent or guardian who also registers. Refunds, less credit card fees, are available up to seven days before the class begins. After that period the fee is nonrefundable, but tickets can be transferred to a friend.