Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce prepares to host Mississippi’s largest fine arts festival

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) – In just two days, thousands will flock to Ocean Springs to enjoy the largest fine arts festival in the state.

Until then, the Chamber of Commerce and businesses alike will be checking off last-minute preparations, like marking the streets with booth numbers.

“There’s a lot that goes into the week of planning, and this is one of those things,” says President and CEO of the chamber Cynthia Sutton.

Spray-painted lines will decorate Government Street and Washington Avenue letting vendors know where they can set up shop prior to the festival opening.

“What I like to say is we stretch the street to fit everybody in. We have about 400 plus vendors this year,” says Sutton.

The Peter Anderson arts and crafts festival is expected to bring 100,000 visitors and 30 million dollars to the coast.

200 volunteers will support the organization of the event.

Like the chamber, business owners are also ready.

“It’s employment to the max. But then also, its mom, its wife, its friends, you have to have all hands on deck for it to be a successful weekend,” says Will Taylor.

Taylor is the brain behind popular downtown restaurants Glory Bound Gyro Company and The Lady May. This upcoming festival weekend marks the first for his newest concept, The Garage at Cash Alley.

Glory Bound Gyro Company opened in 2018, making this Taylor’s 6th year operating his restaurants during the busy festival season.

“We got quickly introduced to festival season,” he says. “We learned a lot the first year and from there you just adjust. There are so many people in such a short amount of time that you really have to have everything in line to be able to successfully have a good weekend.”

And, when the two-day festival is all said and done, planning begins almost immediately for next year’s Peter Anderson Festival.

November 2-3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. is when you can enjoy all things arts and crafts in Downtown Ocean Springs. For a list of road closures during the festival, see below:

For more information on the festival, visit www.peterandersonfestival.com.

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