Each year, thousands of families flock to Starkville for Super Bulldog Weekend.
For 33 years, fans eager to spend their weekend watching sports fill Dudy Noble Field, Nusz Park and Davis Wade. While sports are the main event of Super Bulldog Weekend, there are other activities throughout campus and Starkville.
From a pig cooking contest to a women’s basketball celebration, there is something for everyone during Super Bulldog Weekend. However, one of the activities enticing people’s return each year is the Cotton District Arts Festival and the Taste of Starkville.
This Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Cotton District will host the annual Taste of Starkville, an event supporting over 15 local food vendors. The best of Starkville’s restaurants will attend, including four new restaurants making their debut.
Taste of Starkville showcases various local businesses and gives the community the chance to connect one another in a creative environment. The Cotton District Arts Festival and the Taste of Starkville combine to create one of the top festivals in Mississippi.
The Cotton District Arts Festival offers hundreds of vendors showcasing local art, amazing food and live music, serving as a contrast to the high-paced, intense sports-based action of the weekend. People of all ages are welcome to come to the Cotton District and relax.
Thomas La Fou, co-chair of Taste of Starkville, said the sense of community created by this event was their main draw to the Taste of Starkville.
“It brings the town together,” La Fou said. “I think people from all walks of life and ages, whether they are students or just grew up here or are retiring here, all ranges of people will find something at this event. It promotes town unity, which I think is important.”
La Fou said King’s Butcher Shop and Café, Dan’s Delicious Dogs and Jo’s Café are a few of the new restaurants debuting at Taste of Starkville.
“It’s a mix of local favorites and new venues,” said La Fou. “It’s a good way to broaden your horizons and see what all Starkville has to offer.”
Christy Cater, co-chair of Taste of Starkville, said she also felt this event connected the community in a unique way, especially since all vendors are locals.
“It’s all local, it’s all Starkville restaurants and food vendors,” Cater said.
Cater said the festival is geared with the typical student budget in mind, so the food will be both delicious and reasonably priced.
“Food vendors will be serving everything from smoked wings, to shrimp, to snowballs; there’s just a huge variety,” said Cater. “You could easily get a really good variety for 10 dollars or less.”
Dave Hood of Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern, one of the returning vendors to Taste of Starkville, said he enjoys getting the opportunity to participate in Taste of Starkville.
“It’s our town’s street party,” Hood said. “Taste of Starkville is a once-a-year opportunity to bring out the whole family for an inexpensive way to sample Starkville’s best fare. Come see us, and Hail State.”