Media Release
For Immediate Release 

BridgeFest 2009 introduces
“The Silver Slipper Bay Café!”

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Tish Williams
Hancock Chamber
228-467-9048

During Bay BridgeFest on Saturday, May 16th from 11am – 8pm a remarkable transformation will turn a plain parking lot on Main Street in Bay St. Louis into a bustling food court.  The Silver Slipper “Bay Café” plans to tempt hungry festival-goers with an outstanding selection of Coastal cuisine from fifteen Hancock County restaurants.

The Silver Slipper Bay Café will be located on the 100 block of Main Street and feature a large tented area with seating and tables, as well as live music to entertain diners throughout the day.  The new concept was the
result of a brainstorming session with Hancock Chamber leaders and John Ferrucci, Chief Operating Officer
and General Manager of the Silver Slipper Casino.

“The Silver Slipper is sponsoring all the Bay Café booth spaces,” Ferrucci said.  “So, fifteen restaurants that are active Chamber members will be participating, compliments of our casino.”

Ferrucci continued, “At the Silver Slipper, food is very important to us, so we wanted our role in BridgeFest
to revolve around it as well.  We believe that working with the Chamber to showcase the things that make
Hancock County so special will help attract people from outside the area, boosting the economy.” 

Food offerings at the Bay Café will range from traditional favorites like boiled seafood, BBQ and fried
catfish to more creative dishes such as stuffed Portobello mushrooms, gyros and Crawfish Monica. 
Participating restaurants hail from all areas of the county, including Lakeshore, Diamondhead, Waveland
and Bay St. Louis. 

Kelyn Breland and her husband Mark are owners of the West End Restaurant in Waveland, an eatery that opened less than a year ago.  Kelyn expressed excitement at playing a part in the premier Bay Café. “Thanks to the Silver Slipper,” she said, “We’ll have an opportunity to reach lots of new people and introduce them to some items from our regular menu.”

Keith Sellier who is owner of Kent and Sue’s Quick Stop in Lakeshore, said that they’ll be “boiling up lots of shrimp” for the festival. “BridgeFest is the chance to get everybody out, get everybody involved”, Sellier said. 
“This event is going to build into something major for the whole county.”

The 3rd annual Bay BridgeFest will also feature a 5k run & ArtWalk, the dedication ceremony naming the
Bay Bridge in memory of Leo W. Seal, Jr., a children’s interactive art area, live music on two stages,
old fashioned politicing, a showcase of area business and an Arts Village plus a special
“Salute to the Military.”   The main event runs from 11am – 8pm in Old Town Bay St. Louis. 
 
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the Silver Slipper,” Ferrucci said.  “I’m planning for our sponsorship of the
Bay Café to be the Silver Slipper’s annual contribution to support BridgeFest.  We want to make Hancock County better for everyone.”

For more information on Bay BridgeFest 2009, call the Hancock Chamber offices at 228.467.9048 or go to:  www.hancockchamber.org. 

RESTAURANTS FEATURED IN THE SILVER SLIPPER BAY CAFÉ
Trapani’s – Bay St. Louis
BB’s B-B-Que – Waveland
Cuz’ – Highway 603
Los Tres Amigos – Bay St. Louis
Emma’s Eatery – Old Town Bay St. Louis
Neil’s – Bay St. Louis
Domino’s Pizza – Bay St. Louis
CJ’s – Old Town Bay St. Louis
Coop A Que – Waveland –
King Wah – Bay St. Louis
Jade’s – Diamondhead
Benigno’s – Old Town Bay St. Louis
Lulu’s – Old Town Bay St. Louis
West End – Waveland
Kent & Sue’s – Lakeshore