Since its inception in August 2025, the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service has made consistent stops along coastal Mississippi between Mobile and New Orleans.

Along the way, the twice-daily service stops in Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport and Bay St. Louis.

But for one weekend only, Nov. 7-8, the train will make a temporary stop in Ocean Springs, capitalizing on the 48th annual Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival that draws approximately 100,000 people each year.

The announcement came from the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Tourism Bureau on Friday, and followed months of lobbying by Ocean Springs representatives who have pushed for a stop in their city as part of the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service.

“We’re excited to offer festivalgoers another convenient way to get to the Peter Anderson Festival this year,” said Cynthia Sutton, CEO of the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street–Tourism Bureau. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to help more visitors take part in the festival and enjoy all that Ocean Springs has to offer.”

For Mobile residents, tickets to take the train to the festival cost $62 for a coach seat, $92 for a business class seat on Saturday, Nov. 7. The tickets on Sunday, Nov. 8 cost $24 for a coach seat, $47 for a businss class seat early Sunday morning. The Sunday afternoon trip costs $46 for a coach seat, $69 for business class. The tickets can be purchased on Amtrak’s website.

“There’s not better way to arrive in Ocean Springs than by train during festival season,” said Ocean Springs Mayor Bobby Cox. “We’re grateful that Amtrak sees our city as an important stop and gateway to one of the Southeast’s premier outdoor festivals. From the moment visitors step off the train, they’ll find a community ready to welcome them with open arms and Southern hospitality. We’re rolling out the red carpet and can’t wait to greet everyone who is all aboard for Ocean Springs.”

According to the news release, the temporary stop was the part of “diligent work” involving Amtrak representatives, the City of Ocean Springs, state and federal elected officials and other partners.

The train route connecting Mobile to New Orleans runs through downtown Ocean Springs, but Amtrak has never considered establishing a train stop in the city known for its arts culture, historic downtown and close proximity to the Gulf and Biloxi.

“Making this temporary festival stop possible is a great example of teamwork and what we can accomplish when we work together for Ocean Springs,” said state Mississippi state Rep. Hank Zuber, R- Ocean Springs. “I appreciate the effort that went into finding a solution that helps keep this important event moving forward. I look forward to additional stops so the rest of the world can experience what we have here in Ocean Springs.”

The Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival began in 1978, and featured just 56 booths in the Chamber of Commerce parking lot and was intended largely to give local artists a place to display and sell their work. It was named in honor of Peter Anderson, a master potter who founded Shearwater Pottery in Ocean Springs in 1928. The festival was renamed for Anderson after he died in 1984.

Last year’s festival crowd was estimated at 150,000 people with more than 400 artists, crafters and food booths.

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