Ocean Springs Chamber – Main Street – Tourism Wins Top State Tourism Award Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival Named “Festival of the Year”
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. – The Ocean Springs Chamber-Main Street-Tourism has received
statewide recognition after being awarded the Festival of the Year – Large Festival Award at the
Mississippi Governor’s Conference on Tourism. The honor highlights the Chamber-Main Street’s
production of the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, the largest fine arts festival in
Mississippi.
Produced annually by the Ocean Springs Chamber-Main Street-Tourism and presented by
Blue Moon, the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival has grown into a nationally recognized
event, ranked among the Top 50 Festivals in the United States. Each November, the two-day event
brings nearly 100,000 visitors to downtown Ocean Springs and generates an estimated $24 million
economic impact for the region.
“This award is a tremendous honor for our community and for everyone who works tirelessly to
make the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival such a success,” said Cynthia Sutton, CEO and
President of the Ocean Springs Chamber-Main Street-Tourism. “It not only celebrates the
legacy of Peter Anderson but also reflects the dedication of our Chamber-Main Street, volunteers,
artists, businesses, and supporters who help make Ocean Springs one of the South’s most vibrant
cultural destinations.”
The Mississippi Governor’s Conference on Tourism recognizes outstanding achievements in the
tourism industry each year, and the Festival of the Year Award celebrates events that demonstrate
excellence in programming, community impact, marketing, and visitor experience.
The 47th Annual Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, produced by the Ocean Springs
Chamber-Main Street-Tourism and presented by Blue Moon, will take place in downtown Ocean
Springs on November 8–9, 2025, continuing its mission of celebrating the arts, honoring master
potter Peter Anderson, and welcoming visitors from across the nation.
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ABOUT OCEAN SPRINGS MAIN STREET
Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Tourism Bureau is a three-tier, non-profit organization created in 1947 that promotes tourism, preservation, community vitality and local culture. In 1989, Ocean Springs became a national main street community. Today, the Ocean Springs Chamber– Main Street – Tourism Bureau located in the heart of downtown not only serves to promote and preserve, but also informs as the official town visitors center. Ocean Springs Main Street is a recipient of the 2013 Great American Main Street Award and voted as “One of America’s Most Charming Main Streets” for 2024.