Celebrate the Gulf – Marine Education Festival

Date: April 4, 2020

War Memorial Park – Pass Christian, MS

In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, we are sad to announce that the 2020 Celebrate the Gulf Marine Education Festival is cancelled. We appreciate your understanding as we work through this unprecedented challenge. Next year, Celebrate the Gulf will plan to take place on April 10, 2021, which is the second Saturday in April due to Easter being on the first weekend in April 2021.

Celebrate the Gulf Marine Education Festival was first established in 1991 to teach residents and visitors about the importance of the Gulf of Mexico. The festival is held the first Saturday in April under the beautiful canopy of the live oak trees in War Memorial Park in Pass Christian, Mississippi in conjunction with our sister festival, Art in the Pass. Join us and our 35+ exhibitors to learn about everything from our upland habitats and wildlife to the recreational and commercial services that the Gulf of Mexico provides! Come get a festival poster signed by our winning artist, and talk to our Student Science Showcase winners to learn about the science local students are doing in our community. Stop by our Registration tent to help your school win our School Attendance Award. We will have live animal shows, free family caricatures and photo booths, and tons of activities for kids of all ages. Come join us in celebrating our Gulf on April 4, 2020!

Poster Contest:

Enter our 6th annual poster contest for the chance to have your artwork as part of the Celebrate the Gulf festival poster series! We encourage all artists, both amateur and professional, to submit an original poster design that depicts the conservation, recreational, or the scenic qualities of Mississippi’s coastal resources. The winning artist will be awarded $250.00 and ten posters. The artwork chosen will be printed as the official festival poster and the artist will sign the posters the day of the festival. Additionally, the artwork may be used as the artwork for the festival t-shirt.

The 2020 entry deadline for this contest has passed.

For more information on what to expect for your entry next year, please read this year’s Contest Rules and Entry form.

Children’s Coloring Contest:

Celebrate the Gulf is hosting its 6th annual Children’s Coloring Contest! We encourage all children in grade K-8th to submit an original design that depicts the conservation, recreation, or the scenic qualities of Mississippi’s coastal resources. Art submissions will be judged according to grade of artist. The winning artwork will be featured at the festival and awards will be given out at the festival to the winning artists. For rules of contest please read the Children’s Coloring Contest Announcement.

*Entry deadline is March 10, 2020*

Student Science Showcase:

The Student Science Showcase is an exciting opportunity for students to showcase the science they are doing at their school, in their community, or at their home. This gives students the opportunity to present their works to the MS Gulf Coast community. This is a wonderful opportunity for young scientists to grow through experience and be recognized for their work. Projects from individuals or groups between the grades of 5th through 12th will be selected by our committee to showcase their science at the Celebrate the Gulf festival in April. Projects selected will receive a Celebrate the Gulf t-shirt and meals will be provided throughout the day. Thanks to our sponsors the winning projects will receive a small scholarship! For rules and more information, please read the Student Science Showcase Announcement. Enter the Student Science Showcase here.

*Entry deadline is March 27, 2020*

School Attendance Award:

We’re bringing back the School Attendance Award this year for the schools with the most students attending the festival! Students who register at the booth will help increase the chance of their school winning a scholarship. More details coming soon!

*Enter in Contest the day of the festival*