OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) – Over the next two days, art enthusiasts from across the country will visit downtown Ocean Springs with more than 400 vendors at the Peter Anderson Festival.

These vendors come from all over the country to participate in the state’s largest fine arts festival. But more than 100 existing businesses in the city center must also prepare for the crowds.

“This store is very busy, people meet each other in this store and it’s very socially stimulating,” explains Merileigh Furr.

Thirty-eight years ago, Furr’s mother and father opened a toy store.

The nostalgia store features childhood favorites, from dolls to games, that everyone stops to see.

“Everyone is outside. Families, all generations, old people, young people, everyone in between. There will be tons of people coming in and out all day for two days, it’s exciting,” Furr says.

Just across the street, another historic store is getting ready to show visitors everything it has to offer.

“Here in the store, everything is done by hand. So that means we’re starting to order the merchandise and products that we’ll have about 6 months ago, for this weekend,” says Hilyer House Manager Susannah Snyder.

Rianna Turner is an artist working with Hilyer House.

Turner’s art won Best of the Show at the festival in 2019.

“I don’t do a lot of festivals throughout the year, but I’ll always do this one,” Turner says. “As far as sales go, that’s it for me. This is the biggest sales opportunity I have. I think most of the artists who do this show would probably say the same thing.

Both Snyder and Turner agree that this weekend is an event that people look forward to all year.

Luckily for these people…it’s finally here!

The festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

If you would like to attend but don’t want the hassle of finding parking nearby, park-and-ride options are available.

The city is working with the YMCA and the Coast Transit Authority to operate shuttles from Upper Elementary, Oak Park Elementary and Greyhound Stadium.

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