Nearly 400 vendors bringing treasures to Peter Anderson Festival in Ocean Springs
Warmer weather is expected to return for the 45th Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival this weekend in downtown Ocean Springs.
The festival is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday and will fill the downtown with art and craft booths and demonstrations, food vendors and live entertainment.
It also will celebrate the 95th anniversary of Shearwater Pottery on the Coast.
Admission is free, although a $2 donation is requested.
Vendor List
It’s the largest arts and crafts festival in Mississippi and draws nearly 400 vendors from across the Southeast and beyond selling art, pottery, jewelry, photography and much more.
“Some of these artists are festival staples and some are new to the area,” said Cynthia Sutton, executive director of Ocean Springs Chamber — Main Street — Tourism Bureau.
It’s also a good time to start Christmas shopping, with treasures like “Carl the Rooster” book, Mississippi candles and goat milk soap among the many gifts.
Refreshments
The many restaurants in downtown Ocean Springs will have festival specials and some will be selling food and drink along the street.
The Shed BBQ food truck is always there, and a variety of other food venues can be found set up together south of the Washington Avenue entrance to the festival. A big screen TV will be set up at the food court for those who want to check the score or watch the game.
Entertainment
Live entertainment will spread throughout the festival this year. Locations and performers Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. are:
▪ Grounds of Mary C. — Saint Social
▪ Washington/Government streets — Karate Kids
▪ Knuckleheads — Joe Carruba
▪ The Pink Rooster — Jessica Horton
▪ L&N Depot — Kashus Culpepper
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory will provide displays, artifacts and hands on activities with marine education.
Raising Cane’s will have an activity area with Plinko games on the lawn of the Mary C. O’Keefe Performing Arts Center on Government Street.
A children’s art market for age eight to 18 will be on the grounds of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art on Washington Avenue Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Parking and shuttles
Streets around the downtown will be closed to traffic from 3 a.m. Saturday through 7 p.m. Sunday for the street festival, and no golf carts, skateboards or bicycles will be allowed in that area. There will be plenty of kids pulled in wagons and pushed in strollers.
Those who arrive early may be able to find parking on side streets and walk several blocks to the festival.
Free shuttle service will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will run every 30 minutes from the free parking lots to the festival entrance. The Coast Transit Authority bus will pick up passengers at the Greyhound Stadium, off Government Street and Hanley Road. YMCA buses will pick up from Ocean Springs Upper Elementary and Oak Park (off Government Street and Holcomb Boulevard.
Wheelchair accessible drop off location is at the Porter Avenue entrance.
Weekend highlights
An extra hour goes on the schedule this weekend as the clocks turn back to end Daylight Savings Time. Other ideas for weekend fun are:
Disney on Ice returns to the Coast Coliseum in Biloxi Thursday through Sunday with “Mickey’s Search Party.”
The Price is Right Stage Show is Friday and Saturday at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi.
Southern Harvest Cluster Dog Show is Friday through Sunday at the Harrison County Fairgrounds, 15321 County Farm Road, Gulfport
Live Oak Cemetery Tour is Saturday and Sunday at 125 Church Ave., Pass Christian. Guided tours from 5-8 p.m.
For more events, visit the Coastal Mississippi schedule.
This story was originally published November 1, 2023 at 11:42 AM.
