Cruisin’ the Coast 2024 kicks off at Hardy Court

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - Day 1 of Cruisin' the Coast kicked off at Hardy Court in Gulfport, bringing out hundreds of car lovers.

Several hot rods and cool cars date back to the 50s, 60s, and even the 40s.

One family explains they've been coming to cruising for over a decade.

"Well, it's more of a family tradition than anything." said 16-year attendee Kevin Gaines. "We purchased this one in the year 2009 and this one we just got this year from Huntington Beach, California. It's our brand new baby, but just the overall atmosphere of just having fun with family and friends from afar. It's just been a wonderful event and we keep coming back for years to come."

"This is a 1961 Impala. It has a 350 engine and it's kind of like a teal-ish green color with custom interior seats" explained Keisha Gaines. "It's a really good time, and we have custom rims and wheels on it."

"This is my dream car," Kevin said of his T-Top '76 Corvette Stingray. "I have been looking for one of these for a very long time. If you notice, this is the exact replica of the same car that Chris Tucker uses on 'Rush Hour.' So, when I saw it and I had the opportunity to purchase it, I just couldn't pass up on it."

Now, along with all the cars they had for Cruisin', they also had good food, T-shirts for sale, and of course music for the crowd.

There will be several more events going on for the rest of this week.