GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - Over 9,500 registered cruisers took to South Mississippi on Tuesday, and plenty of them gathered at the Island View Casino in Gulfport, where one event brings the heat with an iconic tradition.
It’s loud, it’s bright, and it’s hot — the 13th annual Flame Throwing Contest brought out a big crowd and big rigs.
“We do it for the kids, man,” explained 2024 contest winner Kendal Bordeaux. “The kids getting entertainment, that’s what we do it for. We do it for the people a lot, you know. They have fun. They enjoy it.
“We started off with little two-foot flames, and it just graduated more and more,” explained flame thrower James Bevins. “Over seven years, we’re pushing some pretty good stuff. I’m not going to reveal how high we’re going yet, but let’s just say tonight, those folks up there at the top, they’re going to get a surprise.”
It’s an event that pushes limits. Onlookers can get an up-close experience with the extreme in a controlled setting.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This truck right here, we’ve done it seven years,” added Bevins. “Never had any issues... I do safety. I’m in the safety industry. Everybody’s like, ‘Wow, you’re a safety guy and you play with flames.’ Well, I’m doing the best I can to stay safe.”
After 13 years, this event is still a roaring success.
See a spelling or grammar error in this story? Report it to our team HERE.
Copyright 2025 WLOX. All rights reserved.