Ocean Springs 1699 Celebration

The City of Ocean Springs was founded in 1699, now 320 years later, residents are celebrating their beginnings.

The 1699 Weekend of Discovery is one of Ocean Springs’ richest traditions and this year they expanded the event. A 5K, fun run, and pet parade were just some of the fun-filled events that took place on Saturday, all leading up to the re-enactment of D’Iberville’s landing.

The 1699 Historical Society re-enacts the landing each year, reminding residents where Ocean Springs all started. Ocean Springs Mayor Shea Dobson said, “The founding of Ocean Springs, the very beginning of this entire Coast was two cultures coming together, you know, and really blossoming into one big community. That’s what we want to celebrate here, that’s what we’re all about, and it’s just beautiful seeing everybody come and enjoy the day with us.”

D’Iberville’s arrival made Ocean Springs the first permanent French outpost in French Louisiana.