Everyone dreams of going to New Orleans during Mardi Gras season, but for Mississippi State students and fans, the excitement and thrill of Mardi Gras will be in Starkville this year in the form of Dudy Gras. Named for State’s renowned coach and athletic director C.R. “Dudy” Noble and the fact that it falls in the season of Mardi Gras, Dudy Gras is the official, unofficial kickoff to baseball season.
Dudy Gras founders Hobie Hobart, Chip Carley, Eric Halburg and Sumner Davis began this tradition in 2005.
“It basically started off with me not wanting to get in trouble driving my trailer through town, so I thought I would get the police to help escort me,” Hobart said.
The trailer to which Hobart refers is one that makes up the famous “Left Field Lounge” in the outfield of Dudy Noble Stadium.
This year, Dudy Gras is partnering with the Main Street Association and having the Eight Days of Dudy Gras Culinary Tour. The first event is a parade today at 3:30 starting at Rick’s Cafe. The parade of decorated trailers and trucks will travel downtown, through the Cotton District and finish behind the outfield of Dudy Noble Field where baseball coach John Cohen may make an appearance.
A new addition to the tradition this year is the Red Beans and Rice Cook-Off which will take place today before the parade. Amateur teams will be competing with the best red beans and rice recipe to win one of three awards. After the parade to Dudy Noble, there will be a post-parade party at Rick’s where the winner of the Cook-Off will be announced.
However, the Dudy Gras festivities do not end after tonight. There are eight days of Dudy Gras due to the eight trips to Omaha, home of the College World Series, that the Bulldogs have taken. A different restaurant is host each day and will have special Cajun themed menu items and drink specials, as well as Mardi Gras decorations. The lineup is:
Several events will be taking place on campus at State. The “Do It For Duffy” 5K run will begin at 8 a.m. Feb. 12. Ryan Duffy, a senior on the 2010 MSU baseball team, sustained a broken neck during a swimming accident this summer. He is undergoing rehabilitation as the baseball team has been raising money to assist his family with medical expenses through the “Do It For Duffy” fund-raising campaign.
At 4 p.m., Mississippi State’s 14th annual “First Pitch/Meet the Team” celebration will take place. Mitch Moreland, former MSU standout and current Texas Rangers first baseman, will be the featured speaker this year. Then the evening will conclude with the Dudy Gras masquerade.
With all of the exciting events taking place during Dudy Gras, the founders of Dudy Gras have not forgotten where they started and have also been able to raise money for different organizations during this fun time.
“This started out with four guys wanting to have a good time while they pulled their trailer into Dudy Noble, and we now raise money to help organizations,” Hobart said. “It’s really worked out well and is a lot of fun.”
Last year, over $25,000 was raised for the American Red Cross, and this year the money is going to the “Do It For Duffy” campaign as well as the Main Street Association.
So who all is invited to attend these exciting events?
“Anyone that loves Mississippi State baseball and who would love to have a good time is welcome to come,” Hobart said.
The lineup:
Saturday, Feb. 5: Ptolemy’s Taproom
Sunday, Feb. 6: Sunday Jazz Brunch at Restaurant Tyler
Monday, Feb. 7: The Little Dooey
Tuesday, Feb. 8: Old Venice Pizza Company
Wednesday, Feb. 9: City Bagel Cafe
Thursday, Feb. 10: Mugshots
Friday, Feb. 11: Central Station Grill
Dudy Gras will conclude on Saturday, Feb. 12 with a masquerade at the Veranda at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. Punch cards are available for the Eight Days of Dudy Gras Culinary Tour at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership before and during the tour.
Anyone who partakes in the specials of five of the eight restaurants on the tour will receive free admission to the masquerade.