Gautier Mullet & Music Fest
Circa 2005 - 2014

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For a number of years this was the official website for the Gautier Mullet & Music Fest. Content is from the site's 2005-2014 archived pages providing a glimpse of what the festival is all about.

As of 2018 the Mississippi annual Gautier Mullet & Music Festival was 27 years old and still providing a great time for visitors. Don't forget to enter the famous Mullet Toss contest since you'll definitely will want to see how far you can throw a mullet! And just like all the other years don't forget to bring your folding chairs and your dancing shoes. Check out the festival's facebook page at www.facebook.com/gautiermulletfest/ for all the most up to date news.

 

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"Our impromptu visit to the Gautier Mullet & Music Fest turned out to be a spectacular adventure. Captivated by the vibrant scene of a fish-throwing contest, we were drawn into the festivities, which were a delightful blend of exhilarating live music, and a showcase of artistic talent. Motivated by the fun and camaraderie, I'm even contemplating participating in the mullet throw next year. This festival was an unforgettable highlight of our trip!" Charlie Wang

 

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CIRCA 2014

2014 Dates: Saturday, October 18 / 9am-9pm
Sunday, October 19 / 11am-5pm

Mullet Toss
The 24th annual Gautier Mullet & Music Festival is this weekend and offers plenty of activities for the whole family.

 

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CIRCA 2013

2013 Dates: Saturday, October 19 / 9am-9pm
Sunday, October 20 / 11am-5pm

PRESS

David Magee's 'Rockin' the Swamp' theme wins Gautier Mullet Festival poster contest

Updated Aug 25, 2013 / Posted Aug 25, 2013
By Joanne Anderson

The 2013 Gautier Mullet Festival art contest winner was recognized Sunday afternoon during an awards ceremony at Gautier Senior Citizens Center. First place winner is David Magee, whose poster "Rockin' the Swamp" will be featured on festival t-shirts and promotional pieces. From left are Etta Saxton, Magee and Mollie Hilburn. Saxton and Hilburn presented Magee a $300 cash award for his winning entry, selected from among 11 finalists. (Joanne Anderson / gulflive.com)

GAUTIER, Mississippi -- Pascagoula High School Art Teacher David Magee's poster/t-shirt design for the 23rd annual Gautier Mullet Festival to be held Oct. 19-20 was selected in judging Sunday afternoon at the Gautier Senior Citizens Center.

Art Committee chairwomen Mollie Hilburn and Etta Saxton told the 11 contestants at the the awards ceremony that the judges found their work very difficult to judge as the entries were outstanding.

Magee's poster, themed "Rockin' the Swamp," featured wildlife indigenous to the city and music components. It will adorn the festival's annual t-shirt and serve as an event promotion piece.

Second place winner was Willie Dees of Gautier and tied for third were Susan M. Ward Templin of Biloxi, a military line artist at Keesler Air Force Base, and Tonja C. Hebert of Biloxi, who has won previous poster contests along the coast.

Magee was presented a cash award of $300. He will receive five festival t-shirts and have a free booth at the fall festival for sale of his other artwork.

The three judges who selected the winner had their work cut out for them.

"The 11 entries were very well put together with bright colors," said graphic designer Farrah Underwood."

The North Face Company via BobsSportsChalet.com donated the sweepstakes prize - a North Face Osito jacket. If you're familiar with the North Face Brand, you know they make the absolute best winter jackets worn by Olympic teams for winter competitive sports. The North Face Osito jacket is one of their most popular styles and the prizes will be awarded for both men and women winners.

William Carey University art teacher Tracy Williams said, "I did not know what to expect and I was overall pleased."

Graphic designer Jim Jenner of Ocean Springs said he was looking forward to seeing the final t-shirts. "The entries displayed a lot of talent," he said.

Bill Bray is chairman of this year's festival. Other art committee members include Beverly Randle, Doris Farris and Deloris Nettles.

 

 

 

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CIRCA 2010

2010 Dates: Saturday, October 16 9am-6pm and Sunday, October 17 9am-5pm
There are some exciting changes coming this year for our 20th Anniversary!

NEW LOCATION!
We are bringing the Gautier Mullet & Music Fest to the people,
downtown Gautier on Dolphin Drive between Lowe's and the Singing River Mall.

We want to thank all of our sponsors, vendors and volunteers for helping to make the 2009 Gautier Mullet & Music Fest another success.

For those of you who were not able to join us in 2009, we hope that you will be able to join us this year. We offer a wide variety of FREE activities, including FREE parking in the Singing River Mall's north parking lot, FREE Live Entertainment, FREE Kid's Area, FREE Classic Car and Motorcycle Show and much, much more.

The Gautier Mullet & Music Fest includes our Major Entertainment Stage featuring many popular live bands. The Traditional Community Entertainment Stage will feature local bands, school and community groups. The Heritage & Educational Area highlights a variety of exhibits to include Historical, Wildlife, Ecological, Fisheries, Community Goodwill, Health & Safety and local craftsmen giving live demonstrations. At the festival there will be the famous Mullet Toss Contest, Arts & Craft Vendors, Dog Agility Exhibitions and plenty of Food Vendors.

There are plenty of ways you can be involved in this years Gautier Mullet & Music Fest. We host an Art Contest where the winning artwork will be displayed on Festival T-Shirts and Posters and the artist receives a cash prize. Children can participate in an Essay Contest which is distributed through the local school system. The community votes for the best in show in the Classic Car & Motorcycle Show. And our festival wouldn't be the same without our famous Mullet Toss Contest where the general public can test their throwing skills! Lastly our festival could not be made possible without the support of our volunteers.

If you are interested in being a part of this years festival please contact us at [email protected]. The support we receive from the community helps to keep this a FREE Family Event.

 

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CIRCA 2009

In 2005, The Gautier Mullet Fest Committee started a new tradition to honor Gautier's Hometown Heroes as our King and Queen each year. The criteria to become King and Queen included looking for folks that quietly (or sometimes not so quietly) do wonderful things for our community, never expecting to get recognized. They are just regular folk like you and I.

The King and Queen will be crowned during the opening ceremonies of the festival and will ride around the festival throughout the day bestowing royal blessings on the attendees. The King and Queen will have bejeweled Royal Crowns and Royal Sceptors befitting their status as Hometown Heroes. Both will wear sashes designating them as the Gautier Mullet Fest King and Queen.

2009 King and Queen  

The 2009 Gautier Mullet Fest King is Greg Spanier and the 2009 Gautier Mullet Fest Queen is Mary Martin.

Mr. Spanier's is a Gautier native and has been a pharmacist at Burnham Drugs in Gautier since 2000. When not doling out medications and answering his customers' questions. He donates to numerous civic organizations including funds for a scoreboard at the new Gautier High School sports complex. He volunteers at College Park Elementary, usually as the popcorn delivery boy. He further fuels his love of volunteering as president of the Gautier Men's Club, donating time whenever asked by the city officials or leaders of other organizations, giving scholarships, or helping a local sports team. Spanier is married to former Libby Killen, they have a nine year old son and are raising his nephew. He graduated from Pascagoula High School in 1986 and joined the U. S. Army. He was assigned to the White House Communications Agency during President Ronald Regan's last term. He is a 1997 graduate of Xavier University in New Orleans and holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.

Mrs. Martin is a lifelong resident of Gautier and is currently the owner/operator of Martin Construction. In the early 1970s she was active in the passing of the school bond issues which resulted in the building of College Park Elementary and Gautier Middle School. She was also an advocate for the building of Gautier High School in the early to mid 1990s. Mary is the wife of Jack Martin, to whom she has been married for 54 years. She is the mother of five wonderful children, 16 grandchildren, and 21 great children all of whom have attended Gautier schools. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family, volunteering for several committees within her community which include Gautier Rotary, Mullet Festival Committee, Member Solutions for Gautier, Eastern Star, Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, and Jackson County Republicans Women’s Association. She has also served as a board member for Home of Grace for four years. Mary is a 1957 graduate of Ocean Springs High School and obtained an Associate’s Degree from MGCCC in Gautier.

2008 King and Queen

The 2008 Gautier Mullet Fest King is Lenard Fuller and the 2008 Gautier Mullet Fest Queen is Danelle Webber.

2007 King and Queen

The 2007 Gautier Mullet Fest King is Ace Necaise and the 2007 Gautier Mullet Fest Queen is Barbara "Sue" Ross.

2006 King and Queen

The 2006 Gautier Mullet Fesk King is William Adams and the 2006 Gautier Mullet Fest Queen is Pearl Mercer.

2005 King and Queen

The 2005 Gautier Mullet Fest Queen is Cat Schmucker and the 2005 Gautier Mullet Fest King is Johnny May.

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Bands for 2009 Gautier Mullet & Music Fest

Lookin 4 Juice
www.lookin4juice.com/home.htm


Gene Gatty Jazz Band

Travis Clark
Swamp Noise
www.myspace.com/swampnoisemusic
Barbara and Company

Centre Stage

www.myspace.com/centrestageband
Josh Ewig Trio
www.myspace.com/joshewingband
Rochelle Harper
www.myspace.com/rochelleharperband

Deuces Wild Band

Triage

Johnny Mire

Carl Edwards

Tia Nelson

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Food Vendors for 2009 Gautier Mullet & Music Fest

We have worked very hard to ensure that items are not duplicated by different vendors. Please take a peak at our list of confirmed food vendors for 2009.

• AESOP'S – gyro sandwiches, baklava pastry with nuts and drinks
• Beta Lambda – sodas and baked items near Community Stage
• Chill Factor – snow balls, dippin’ dots icecream, sweet tea, cotton candy, lemonade, funnel cakes, caramel & candied apples, deep fried oreos & candy bars
• D’Vine Soulfood – smoked ribs, sausage on a stick, turkey legs, baked beans and potato salad
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 17 – nachos and cheese with jalapenos, drinks and forget me nots
• F & J Iced Tea – iced tea
• First Baptist Church of Gautier – barbeque chicken, mullet and catfish, potato salad and baked beans
• Fudds Seafood & Catering – fried shrimp, fries and crawfish etouffee
• Gautier Dugout Baseball Club – drinks and t-shirts
• Gautier High School Choir – candy and Madrigal Feast tickets
• Gautier Men's Club – fried mullet, baked beans, fries and hushpuppies
• Greater St. Luke Missionary – gumbo, sweet potato pie and polish sausage
• Mac on a stick and hot wings
• Mann Kettle Corn – old fashioned sugar corn and water
• Nana and Poppy’s Roasted Corn – roasted corn, boiled peanuts, soda and water
• New York Pizza – pizza by the slice and drinks
• Pork Chops – pork chops
• Swan Dogs – philly sheese steak subs, polish sausage, cajun sausage
• Sweet Streets Ice Cream and Snow Cones – Blue Bunny Ice Cream and snow cones
• Teresa’s Cuisine – ham fried rice, chicken fried noodles, pork kabob, chicken kabob, sausage kabob, shrimp tempura, pork, beef, veg and egg rolls
• The Lemon Tree – Lemon Shake-Up
• The Gautier Quarterback Club – hot dogs, soda and water
• The Shed – pulled pork and beef sandwiches with sides
• Tom’s Extreme Pizzaria – mini calzone
• Tooties – frozen fruit drinks, tea, frozen coffee, smoothies, chips, chili Frito pie and drinks
• S&T Cuisine – shrimp, catfish, ham & cheese, roast beef and chicken po-boys and french fries
• Salads – fresh green salads
• Swan Dogs – philly cheese steak subs, polish sausage, cajun sausage

 

 

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CIRCA 2008

 

Arts and Crafts Booths for 2008 Gautier Mullet & Music Fest

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CIRCA 2007

 

A Message From The Chairman of the Gautier Mullet Festival

The 17th Gautier Mullet Festival

Hi y’all!

My name is Anna Simpson. I am very committed to our local community, am an active member and current Secretary of the Gautier Rotary Club and am the Chairman of the Gautier Mullet Festival. We are holding our 17th annual Gautier Mullet Festival from 10am – 6pm on Saturday October 20, 2007 under the Oaks on the grounds of the historic estate La Maison Gautier (www.theoldplace.net) in Gautier, Mississippi. Our festival’s theme is “Celebrating Our Coastal Heritage.” The Gautier Mullet Festival has become a regional festival with a focus on Gautier. We promote our festival regionally and expect to draw families from along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and from along the I-10 corridors through Alabama and Louisiana. Over 20,000 folks attended last year’s festival.

The 2007 Gautier Mullet Festival includes a Major Entertainment Stage featuring live bands all day long. The traditional Community Entertainment Stage will feature local bands, school and community groups. The Heritage & Educational Area will highlight a variety of Historical, Wildlife, Ecological and Fisheries Exhibits, as well as Community Goodwill and Health & Safety Exhibits. The Heritage & Educational Area will also showcase local craftsmen giving live demonstrations of their craft for our community’s students and families. The Gautier Mullet Festival will host an Antique Car Show, Mullet Toss Contest, Cast Net Contest, an Arts and Crafts Show and a variety of other entertaining activities. This year we will continue our festival's new tradition of hosting a FREE Kid's Area sponsored by Northrop Grumman. This year’s Northrop Grumman FREE Kid's Area will feature a giant "Pirates of the Caribbean" Blow up multi-activity ride, a giant double slide, a Velcro wall, a blow-up boxing ring, several blow-up jump centers, FREE Train rides around the festival grounds and more!

We appreciate your community support and very timely response. We can make this a successful regional festival with your help! For more information, please call or send an email to Scott Mitchell at 228-249-6841 or [email protected] , fax to 228-522-2448 or look for updates on our website www.gautiermulletfest.com . To apply to become part of our festival, email, fax or mail your completed application and include a sample of your music or a link to a sample of your music to The Gautier Mullet Festival P.O. Box 852 Gautier, MS 39553.

Yours Truly,

Anna Fontaine Simpson, Gautier Mullet Festival Chairman

Festival Date: Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Under the Oaks at the historic estate La Maison Gautier
(www.theoldplace.net)- Gautier, Mississippi

Take exit #61 South from I-10, turn left at Hwy 90 (go East 2.4 miles). 
Turn right on Oak St. just before the Pascagoula Bay Bridge

 

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More Background On GautierMulletFest.com

 

GautierMulletFest.com functioned for nearly a decade as the official digital home of one of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s most distinctive and community-driven annual events: the Gautier Mullet & Music Festival. More than a simple event website, it served as a civic archive, promotional platform, volunteer hub, and cultural record for a festival that blended coastal heritage, local arts, live music, and family-friendly traditions into a uniquely Gulf Coast experience. During its active years—roughly the mid-2000s through the early 2010s—the site documented the evolution of a festival that had already become a regional institution.

The festival itself is rooted in the coastal identity of Gautier, a city whose history, economy, and culture are closely tied to fishing, waterways, and Gulf Coast traditions. GautierMulletFest.com captured this identity in digital form, reflecting not only the logistics of an annual event but also the values of a community intent on celebrating its heritage in an inclusive, accessible way.

Ownership, Organization, and Festival Governance

GautierMulletFest.com was administered by the Gautier Mullet Festival Committee, a locally organized, volunteer-driven body composed of civic leaders, educators, artists, and longtime residents. The committee operated in close coordination with the City of Gautier, local schools, churches, service organizations, and business sponsors. Rather than being run by a commercial events company, the festival was governed as a nonprofit, community-first initiative.

Leadership roles rotated over the years, with festival chairpersons publicly addressing the community through letters and announcements published on the website. These messages emphasized transparency, volunteer participation, and gratitude toward sponsors and residents. The site routinely highlighted committee members, judges, and coordinators, reinforcing the idea that the festival belonged to the people of Gautier rather than to a single organization or promoter.

Geographic Context and Strategic Location

The festival’s location shifted over time, and GautierMulletFest.com played a crucial role in communicating those changes. Early iterations of the event were hosted on the grounds of historic properties, including the La Maison Gautier estate, emphasizing heritage and scenic charm. Later years saw the festival move to downtown Gautier, particularly along Dolphin Drive, strategically positioned between major retail centers and near Singing River Mall.

This downtown relocation was significant. It allowed for increased attendance, improved accessibility, and expanded infrastructure such as free parking, larger performance stages, and enhanced vendor layouts. The website provided detailed directions from Interstate 10 and Highway 90, recognizing that many attendees traveled from across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Alabama, and Louisiana.

Historical Development of the Festival

The Gautier Mullet & Music Festival predates its website by many years, having begun in the late 1980s or early 1990s. By the time GautierMulletFest.com emerged, the festival was already well established. The site chronicled milestone anniversaries—most notably the 20th and 25th editions—using archival pages to reflect on growth, attendance figures, and program expansions.

Throughout the years documented on the site, the festival evolved from a modest local gathering into a regional draw attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually. Despite this growth, it retained its original mission: to remain free, family-friendly, and deeply rooted in local culture. GautierMulletFest.com preserved this narrative by consistently emphasizing accessibility, volunteerism, and community pride.

Signature Events and Festival Programming

The Mullet Toss Contest

The festival’s most iconic event, the Mullet Toss Contest, became a defining feature both in person and online. GautierMulletFest.com provided schedules, rules, and enthusiastic descriptions of the contest, framing it as a lighthearted celebration of fishing culture rather than a novelty gimmick. Participants of all ages were encouraged to take part, and spectators often cited the contest as a highlight of the weekend.

Live Music and Entertainment Stages

Music programming was another core pillar. The site detailed multiple stages, typically including a major entertainment stage for popular regional acts and a community stage for school groups, local bands, and civic performers. Genres ranged from jazz and blues to rock, country, and coastal folk, reflecting the diverse musical traditions of the Gulf Coast.

Heritage and Educational Areas

One of the festival’s distinguishing features was its Heritage & Educational Area. GautierMulletFest.com outlined exhibits related to wildlife conservation, fisheries education, ecology, local history, and public safety. These exhibits transformed the festival into an informal learning environment, particularly for families and school-aged children.

Children’s Activities

The website consistently emphasized its FREE Kids’ Area, often sponsored by major regional employers. Attractions included inflatable rides, games, train rides, and interactive exhibits. This focus reinforced the festival’s reputation as a safe, inclusive event designed for multi-generational attendance.

Arts, Crafts, and Visual Culture

GautierMulletFest.com devoted extensive space to arts and crafts programming. Annual art contests invited regional artists to submit designs for festival posters and t-shirts, with winning entries receiving cash prizes and prominent exposure. The site archived press coverage and judge commentary, documenting how artistic excellence became a hallmark of the festival.

In addition to the contest, the festival hosted dozens of artisan booths featuring pottery, jewelry, photography, painting, woodworking, textiles, and mixed media. The website’s detailed vendor lists now serve as a historical snapshot of the Gulf Coast’s independent artisan economy during the late 2000s.

Food Vendors and Culinary Identity

Food played a central role in the festival’s appeal. GautierMulletFest.com published comprehensive vendor lists each year, highlighting both traditional Gulf Coast fare and diverse regional offerings. Fried mullet, catfish, shrimp, gumbo, and barbecue appeared alongside international dishes, desserts, and specialty beverages.

By curating vendor selections carefully and avoiding duplication, the festival ensured variety and quality. The site’s documentation of food vendors underscores how culinary traditions functioned as cultural storytelling, connecting visitors to local flavors and community organizations.

Community Recognition and the King and Queen Tradition

A unique and deeply symbolic aspect of the festival was the annual King and Queen ceremony. Introduced in the mid-2000s, this tradition honored “Hometown Heroes”—individuals recognized for civic service, volunteerism, and quiet leadership. GautierMulletFest.com provided biographies of honorees, offering insight into the social fabric of the city.

These profiles transformed the website into a community archive, preserving stories of educators, veterans, business owners, and volunteers whose contributions shaped Gautier beyond the festival itself.

Media Coverage and Regional Visibility

The festival regularly received press coverage from Gulf Coast media outlets, including GulfLive and local newspapers. GautierMulletFest.com frequently quoted articles, summarized coverage, and celebrated media recognition, reinforcing the festival’s legitimacy and reach.

This media presence helped elevate the festival from a local event to a recognized regional attraction, drawing visitors who might not otherwise travel to Gautier.

Audience and Demographics

The festival attracted a broad audience, including families, retirees, students, tourists, artists, and music enthusiasts. The website consistently emphasized inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability, positioning the event as an alternative to ticketed concerts or commercial fairs.

Attendance figures cited over the years suggest crowds exceeding 20,000 in peak years, underscoring the festival’s economic and cultural impact on the region.

Digital Legacy and Archival Value

Although GautierMulletFest.com eventually became inactive as social media platforms took precedence, its archived pages remain valuable historical records. They document not only event logistics but also evolving community priorities, artistic trends, and regional identities during a transformative period for small-town festivals.

For researchers, cultural historians, and festival organizers, the site offers insight into how grassroots events successfully scaled without losing authenticity. Its archives demonstrate how early community websites functioned as both promotional tools and living records.

Cultural and Social Significance

The enduring significance of GautierMulletFest.com lies in its ability to capture the spirit of a place. It reflects how festivals can strengthen social bonds, celebrate local heritage, and provide platforms for creativity and recognition. Long after specific dates and schedules fade, the stories preserved on the site continue to represent Gautier’s communal values.

Why GautierMulletFest.com Still Matters

GautierMulletFest.com stands as a testament to the power of community-driven festivals and early digital storytelling. More than an event listing, it functioned as an archive of civic pride, artistic expression, and coastal tradition. Its legacy endures not only through continued iterations of the festival but also through the preserved digital record of a community celebrating itself.

 

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