Ocean Springs preparing for 47th annual Peter Anderson Festival

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WXXV) — The largest arts festival on the Coast is returning for it’s 47th year and the City of Ocean Springs is gearing up to welcome thousands of new faces to the area.

For nearly five decades the Peter Anderson Festival has welcomed tens of thousands of people to the Coast to celebrate the arts community and show off their work. Over 400 artists and vendors from across the US are expected at this year’s festival, which will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 8 and 9.

The arts festival brings in around $23 million each year, creating both immediate and lasting economic benefits for the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast.

With more than 100,000 people expected to walk the streets of downtown Ocean Springs over the weekend, new businesses in the area are looking forward to welcoming plenty of new faces.

Some business have even adjusted their hours to accommodate the extra foot traffic through their stores.

For more on what to expect at this year’s event and for a list of road closures, visit PeterAndersonFestival.com.