Double Decker Arts Festival saw record crowds

Published 11:13 am Thursday, May 2, 2024

The small college town of Oxford came to life this past weekend as it hosted the 27^th annual Double Decker Arts Festival.

Presented by the University of Mississippi Museum gifted by Ole Miss Athletics, the free music and arts festival welcomed 100,300 guests on Friday through Sunday with renowned headliners such as Flatland Cavalry and Brittany Howard, along with art vendors, food vendors and a dedicated kids’ area for both visitors and residents to enjoy.

“This year’s Double Decker Arts Festival has truly exemplified the essence of Oxford’s rich culture,” said Kinney Ferris, executive director of Visit Oxford. “We are thrilled to witness the festival’s unwavering spirit and the joy it brings to both residents and visitors.”

The festival kicked off on Friday night as musicians played for a crowd of an estimated 34,500 on the festival grounds. Grace Bowers, Conner Smith and Flatland Cavalry filled the streets of Oxford with music as the crowd gathered and started the festival with a bang.

Continuing Saturday, the festival took over the entirety of the Square with more than 140 art vendors, over 20 food vendors and stages for musical acts throughout the day. People came from across the country to experience the highly anticipated Double Decker Arts Festival, representing 35 states and totaling 50,300 attendees for Saturday alone. From early morning races to a musical lineup that included Kenny Brown, Billey Allen and the Pollies, Jaime Wyatt, Bass Drum of Death, Charlie Mars, Neal Francis, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Brittany Howard, the festival was full of life.

“Our heartfelt gratitude goes to all attendees, sponsors, artists and organizers whose dedication and passion have made this year’s Double Decker Festival an unforgettable experience,” said Lee Ann Stubbs, Double Decker coordinator. “We look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence and fostering even greater connections within our community in the years to come.”

Every year, Double Decker Arts Festival draws in record-making crowds as it celebrates food, music and the arts. Originally inspired by the Double Decker bus that Oxford imported from England in 1994, the festival began on the bed of an old pickup truck that served as a stage for music and only a handful of art and food vendors. Today, the event is centered around the historic Square and boasts a crowd of more than 60,000 people annually.