Outdated Biloxi Cemetery Tour strikes candy chord with music theme

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – This yr’s Outdated Biloxi Cemetery Tour is about how music helped created a pleasant concord for Biloxi tradition.

The theme? “Music-Makers of Biloxi.”

“It brings again nice reminiscences of when my mother and father had been residing and what they did in Biloxi and to listen to these fantastic folks,” mentioned Biloxi resident Marth Hunt Tripp. “I keep in mind the Rockin’ Rebels. They had been nice. They had been improbable and left a lot for all of us to recollect.”

The Rockin’ Rebels received their begin within the Fifties and made a huge impact. Tamaline Blessey is the sister of two of the members, Walter and Gerald Blessey.

“Music has all the time performed a giant half in tradition on the Coast and the Rockin’ Rebels had been a part of that, you recognize,” she mentioned. “And we keep in mind them. And it was good to see them remembered right this moment.”

Ten stations had been scattered all through the cemetery, attracting massive teams of tourists listening to actors portraying such notable musicians as trumpet participant Emile “Junie” Desport.

“I really like doing this yearly,” mentioned actor Cree Cantrell. “I feel it is very important pay tribute to our historical past right here in Biloxi, which is so wealthy. However this specific yr, with the ability to play my spouse’s grandfather and somebody who’s so beloved in Biloxi, it simply means the world to me.”

Fiddlin’ Peter Lepre performed in all places on the Coast and in New Orleans.

Actor Brennan Prince rapidly discovered the essence of his character.

“Simply his, I suppose, zest for all times,” he mentioned. “He actually loved all the pieces that he did. He beloved taking part in music. He beloved residing on the Coast.”

And he likes to share his portrayal with these closest to the person they love, like Lepre’s daughter, Helen Lepre Wiltz.

“I’m so grateful for the individuals who have nominated my dad to be honored right this moment,” she mentioned. “That is an honor. He would have been so completely satisfied.”

The tour, introduced by Protect Biloxi and directed by Laurie Rosetti, continues Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.

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