OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) — The 48th annual Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival returns to downtown Ocean Springs this weekend, bringing more than 400 artists, crafters, and food vendors from across the country.
The two-day festival draws an estimated 100,000 visitors each year, making it the largest arts festival in Mississippi. It began as a gathering of local artists and art enthusiasts to honor master potter Peter Anderson and to celebrate the area’s arts community.
“We have not only the 400-plus vendors from all over the United States, but we also have some great partners and great activities that are going to be part of the festival this year. And then live music is spread out everywhere,” said Cynthia Sutton, president and CEO of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce.
With large crowds expected, organizers are offering several transportation and parking options to help visitors get around.
For the first time, Amtrak will make a temporary stop in downtown Ocean Springs for festivalgoers.
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“It’s festival week, and we are just excited to even hear that they will even just do a temporary stop for us for this festival,” said Sutton.
Several trains will run each day, arriving in the morning and again near the end of the festival.
Amtrak schedule
From Mobile to Ocean Springs
- 6:25 a.m. departure from Mobile, arriving in Ocean Springs at 7:28 a.m.
- 4:25 p.m. departure from Mobile, arriving in Ocean Springs at 5:28 p.m.
From New Orleans to Ocean Springs
- 7:35 a.m. departure from New Orleans, arriving in Ocean Springs at 9:54 a.m.
- 5:31 p.m. departure from New Orleans, arriving in Ocean Springs at 7:52 p.m.
Returning from Ocean Springs
Traveling to New Orleans:
- Depart Ocean Springs at 7:28 a.m., arriving in New Orleans at 10:13 a.m.
- Depart Ocean Springs at 5:28 p.m., arriving in New Orleans at 8:13 p.m.
Traveling to Mobile:
- Depart Ocean Springs at 9:54 a.m., arriving in Mobile at 11:23 a.m.
- Depart Ocean Springs at 7:52 p.m., arriving in Mobile at 9:19 p.m.
Sutton said a limited number of Amtrak tickets remain.
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“It’s starting to get a little tight, but we’re excited to say that on Saturday and Sunday there still are a few tickets available,” she said.
Tickets can be purchased online, on the Amtrak app, or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).
For visitors driving to the festival, the Coast Transit Authority and YMCA will provide park-and-ride services.
“When you go to those park-and-rides, you get on the bus, they’ll tell you which entrance you’re going to, and it just makes it so convenient because there’s so much traffic, so many people coming in and out. And those buses also drop you right at the entrance,” said Sutton.
The Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival runs Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 and 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day in downtown Ocean Springs.
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