Bulldog Bash is an annual event featuring live entertainment and shopping in Starkville’s Cotton District. Bulldog Bash began in 1999 and has featured artists including Jason Mraz, The Eli Young Band, The Avett Brothers and Third Eye Blind.
Bulldog Bash crowds have swelled over the years from around 2,000 people for the early Bulldog Bashes to over 30,000 people for more recent Bashes with a crowd of 35,000 expected for Bulldog Bash 2016. The recent growth in crowd sizes has caused some difficulties in relation to the Bulldog Bash’s traditional Cotton District location with relocation being announced but then retracted. The Bash will remain in its normal location.
Bulldog Bash kicks off on Friday at 2 p.m. with the Maroon Market on University Drive and throughout the Cotton District. The Maroon Market features a collection of local artists, companies and restaurants showcasing their products.
A pep rally known as the Dawg Rally was originally advertised and scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in anticipation of Mississippi State University’s football team’s home game the following day against the Auburn University Tigers. However, the Dawg Rally will not be taking place at this year’s Bulldog Bash.
Alex Coats, MSU’s Student Association’s Bulldog Bash 2016 director said he is disappointed that the rally will not happen this year.
“We are disappointed that the Dawg Rally will not be taking place at the Bulldog Bash this year,” Coats said, “but we are excited by the opportunities that have become available by making the Dawg Rally its own event separate from the Bulldog Bash.”
Music will begin at the main stage at 7 p.m. with Jake Slinkard and his band, who earned the opportunity by winning the Battle of the Bands in September.
Bulldog Bash 2016 will be headlined by Flo Rida, with Rock Eupora and Pell also playing the main stage. Other local bands including some from the Battle of the Bands competition will be playing on a day stage beginning at 3 p.m. Local bands playing the day stage will include Dylan Davis, Nic Berry, Hood Baby and the Barnacles and Jarrett Adams.
Jake Slinkard and his band are very excited by the opportunity to participate in the Bulldog Bash.
“Playing for an anticipated crowd of 35,000 people is simply unbelievable, and we are so excited to have the opportunity to share our original music with so many new people because that’s what music is all about, us coming together, relating to others and enjoying yourself,” Slinkard said. “It’s also nerve racking because it’s such a large jump in venue for us, easily the largest crowd we’ve played for.”
University Drive will close at 2 a.m. Friday morning while the remaining roads in the Cotton District will remain open until noon. Those planning on attending Bulldog Bash should expect to walk as there will be no parking available in the Cotton District itself, and parking near the Cotton District is limited. Attendants can expect Bulldog Bash to end by midnight.
