What you need to know about this weekend’s Peter Anderson Festival & Veterans Parade
This weekend may mark the end of Daylight Savings time, yet the first weekend in November in South Mississippi is celebrated for the return of the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival in Ocean Springs.
Paintings, ceramics, photographs, candles, jewelry and digital art are some of the arts and crafts that vendors from across the U.S. will be selling — and in some cases demonstrating — at the Peter Anderson Fest.
The streets of downtown Ocean Springs will be closed for two days for the largest fine arts festival in Mississippi, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 6-7. Admission is free, although a $2 donation is requested.
Besides browsing the booths, those who attend the festival will find food vendors and downtown restaurants offering a variety of food. Music will be at the main stage off Cash Alley and DeSoto Street, next to the food court.
The children’s art market on the grounds of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art is where art created by kids age 8-18 will be sold from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
A marine education area lead by staff from Gulf Coast Research Laboratory of University of Southern Mississippi will provide displays, artifacts and hands-on activities with marine education.
Honoring Coast veterans
The annual Veterans Day Parade also is this weekend in Biloxi, along with the 50th annual celebration of Our Lady Academy in Bay St. Louis and the Picayune Fall street Festival.
Dr. Inez Kelleher will lead the Gulf Coast Veterans Parade at 11 a.m. Saturday in downtown Biloxi.
The grand marshal is an orthopedic surgeon who has served on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 1996. She is a U.S. Air Force veteran, Gold Star family member and has deployed to Afghanistan and Diego Garcia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
This year’s parade honors the mission of military and veteran medical first-responders. The Department of Veterans Affairs named the parade a regional site for the observance of Veterans Day this year.
The Veterans Day program in Jackson County will be at 11 a.m. at the Moss Point Riverfront Memorial. Refreshments will be provided.
Other upcoming events
Nov. 6 — 50th Anniversary Celebration of Our Lady Academy, 2-6 p.m. at Our Lady of the Gulf Crab Fest grounds, Bay St. Louis. Bring chairs or blankets. Picnic with food trucks available.
Nov. 6-7 — Peter Anderson Festival in downtown Ocean Springs. Fine art, crafts, food, entertainment.
Nov. 6-7 — Picayune Fall Street Festival in downtown Picayune. Saturday 9-5, Sunday 9-4.
Nov. 12 — Chee-Weez Concert at Centennial Plaza, U.S. 90, Gulfport, from 7-10 p.m., with a pre-show by local band Cut Bait, featuring Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes, at 5 p.m.
Nov. 12-14 — Ron Meyers Christmas City Gift Show at Coast Coliseum & Convention Center, Biloxi. Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Shopper’s Paradise adults only shopping from 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $10, or $15 for Shopper’s Paradise.
Nov. 13 — Diamondhead Festival & BBQ Competition at 3410 Yacht Club Drive, with free admission. Prayer service for veterans at 10 a.m. and food, music, vendors and a kids’ zone from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Professional BBQ competition brings teams from multiple states,, who cook ribs, chicken, pork and brisket trying to win the Grand Champion trophy. Also amateur category.
Nov. 13-14 — Mississippi Railfest at MS Coast Model Railroad Museum, 615 Pass Road, Gulfport. Indoor displays and outdoor trains from several states. Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Adults $10, Military $7, under 12 free
Nov. 19-21 and 26-28 — Circus Kirkus at Centennial Plaza, 200 East Beach Blvd., Gulfport. 12 shows with tickets starting at $25.99. It’s a comedy-driven theatrical show, created by former Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus performer Kirk Marsh friends from around the world. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
