The long-awaited 15th annual Bulldog Bash festivities begin Friday, and students all around campus are abuzz with excitement.

Bulldog Bash is one of the largest and most iconic events of the year for Mississippi State University, and this year, it is coupled with the Texas A&M game, promising a fun and memorable weekend.

 Bulldog Bash was created in 1999 by MSU’s Student Association to increase school spirit for  football season by unifying MSU alumni, students  and the community.

 Bulldog Bash was started in a parking lot 15 years ago. Now, it has grown to become the largest free outdoor concert in the state of Mississippi.

Adam Pitts, Bulldog Bash coordinator, said he is enthusiastic about the turnout this year.

“The student morale is always high this time of year with fall football games, cooler weather and the all-around great atmosphere that Mississippi State brings,” he said. “I feel the Bulldog Bash concert brings a free entertaining night that the whole community can enjoy and be a day that is marked on people’s calendar every year.”

The event takes place in the heart of Starkville, the historic Cotton District. Though the stage is at the intersection of University Drive and Maxwell Street, the music can be heard all throughout the District.

Brett Harris, SA President, said preparations for Bulldog Bash began earlier this year.

“Our amazing directors, Margaret Bernheim, Alissa McKinnon and Adam Pitts, have done a wonderful job preparing for this event and have worked tirelessly throughout the summer,” Harris said.

Festivities before the concert  commence at 2 p.m. with “Maroon Market” and “Grill Your Bash Off.” The Dawg Rally, presented by the MSU Alumni Association, is a family-friendly pep rally which begins at 5:15 p.m. All three events will be located in the Cotton District.

 Previous years of Bulldog Bash have seen huge names such as The Avett Brothers, Third  Eye Blind, Eric Church and Gavin Degraw. This year’s lineup features popular  country singer Justin Moore, Southern rock band The Dirty Guv’nahs, folksy singer Drake White, the Big Fire and Plazapalooza winner Tanner Gray.

 Moore’s hit songs include “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,”  “Bait a Hook,”  “Small Town USA,” “Til My Last Day” and many more. Tanner Gray kicks off the concert at 7 p.m., Drake White continues at 7:45 p.m., The Dirty Guv’nahs will play at 9 p.m. and Justin Moore will begin at 10 p.m.

 LH Marshall, sophomore business major, said she plans on attending this year.

 “Last year was a blast, and I know this year can only be better,” she said.

Bulldog Bash is a fun event for everyone, and it also benefits the community. Pitt said The Palmer Home for Children, Starkville’s safe home for abused and neglected children, will receive a donation from the event.

“Bulldog Bash every year selects a charity to benefit with the event. We have a budget we like to meet, and this year we have raised enough funds to give Palmer Home a substantial donation,” he said. “Palmer Home has been great to work with, and the young lives that they touch make it all worthwhile to give back to.”

 This year’s Bulldog Bash is not one to miss.