The Bulldog Bash will take over University Drive tonight from at 5 p.m to 1 a.m. Over 15,000 people are expected to attend the event, which will feature free games, local food, eight different bands and shuttles to reduce parking problems.
“Bulldog Bash started four years ago,” said Travis Wolfe, co-director of external affairs for the SA. “The Bash offers a great atmosphere for students, but we also wanted to focus our attention on alumni, families and children-a broad range of fans of the Bulldogs.”
Based on the preliminary student support he has seen, Wolfe said this year expected to be the largest event yet.
Vendors will line University Drive enticing visitors with food, T-shirts and other MSU attire. There will also be face-painting, pictures with Bully, caricatures, a dunking booth and a Moonwalk to entertain students and families.
From 5 p.m to 8 p.m is the “Fan Fair,” Wolfe said. This time is aimed at all ages, but offers more to young children and families who do not wish to listen to the concerts.
A Hall of Fame will also feature individuals prominent to the university, such as Latoya Thomas, Bailey Howell and John Bond.
The concerts will begin at 8 p.m. Eight bands will play on three stages. Wolfe said the bands would play a variety of musical styles, ranging from blue grass to hip-hop.
Bulldog Bash organizers spent the summer asking businesses for sponsorship money and flexibility, Wolfe said.
Local businesses on University will remain open until 2 p.m., although the road will be blocked off.
“We are asking a lot from some of these businesses. They’ve been very supportive with the size of the event. It couldn’t have been done without the sponsors, the city of Starkville and the Student Association all working together,” Wolfe said.
“Our main goal is to make this as big as we can this year. If you make it this big, sponsors and alumni will remember it as incredible. We tried to go out and get as much support as we could to make it the biggest event in Starkville,” Wolfe said. “We want it to be built on every year.”
“Not only have we capitalized on the success of last year, but we’ve made some fresh new changes to make the event more enjoyable. We wanted to bring together MSU alumni, students and Starkville residents and simply celebrate MSU,” said Andrea Slocum, co-director of external events for SA.
Many extra precautions have been made to prepare for the expected 15,000 attendees, including security, an ambulance and even portable restrooms.
“If you look at the money raised through sponsors, the money the SA has put up and in-kind sponsorships, it’s over $35,000 for this event,” Wolfe said.
“Because of the money the SA raised, the event is completely free to students,” Slocum said. “There’s no where else that you can have a national act like Edwin McCain for free. This is a very rare opportunity.”
Organizers also wanted to ease traffic congestion as much as possible for the event, said Clay Stamson, director of transportation and parking for SA.
Three shuttles, 12-passenger vans, will transport Bulldog Bash-goers from 4:30 p.m until the last person leaves safely-all for free.
“We want people to come to the Bulldog Bash. We want to make it easy to get there,” Stamson said.
The SA also wanted to provide students without cars access to the Bash, as well as reduce parking problems in the Cotton District, Stamson said. He added that organizers also hope the shuttle will reduce the risk of accidents related to drunken driving.
“More parking is available so that everybody won’t try to park in the Cotton District; it will ease the traffic there. It’ll be a safe alternative for driving home,” Stamson explained.
“We want the shuttle to service everyone on campus, not a select group,” Stamson said. “We want to utilize this for the Bulldog Bash. We’ll see how effective it is and also how people respond to it,” Stamson said.
Patti Reiss, senior in elementary education said four years ago a few campus organizations and local businesses set up tables around the amphitheater. There was some food and music, as well as a pep-rally at the amphitheater, Reiss said.
“It think this year is going to be bigger than anyone could have ever imagined. It’s come so far from being a table set-up at the amphitheater my freshman year,” Reiss said. “There was no draw for the students. It’s gone from a promotion activity to a monumental event.”
“It’s the biggest event that has ever happened on the streets of Starkville,” Wolfe said.