An estimated crowd of 25,000 flooded the streets of the Cotton District Friday night for the fifth annual Bulldog Bash.
For the past five years, the event has drawn people to the District to enjoy performances by various musical artists. This year’s lineup included performers Howie Day, Calvin Richardson and others.
Chrissie Prichard and Cliff Jones, co-directors of external events for the SA, along with the assistant co-director Kristin Clemmer, organized the event this year.
Clemmer said one thing she and her co-workers tried to focus on this year was providing more diversity for the event.
“We really wanted to provide the crowd with good variety this year,” she said. “There really was something for everyone, not just MSU students but people in the community and their children also.”
Crowds increased by about 5,000 people from last year, Clemmer said. She credited much of this year’s larger crowd with good weather and MSU’s football game with Auburn Saturday.
“The weather was perfect and everyone seemed to be having a great time. I really think it could not have gone better,” Clemmer said. “Because of the pep rally before the Bash and the game the next morning, everyone seemed to be excited to be there.”
Like previous years, a majority of the crowd on hand at the event consisted of Mississippi State students.
Sophomore political science major Lauren Springer said her experience at this year’s event surpassed her expectations from the previous year.
“What could be better than getting to see everyone you know and getting to hear great music all at the same time?” Springer said.
Lane McPherson, a junior chemistry major and resident of the Cotton District, echoed similar feelings about the Bash. A newcomer to the District, she said she enjoyed being so close to the festivities this year.
“I’ve been to Bulldog Bash for three years, but this year was different,” McPherson said. “It was really fun just to be able to walk right out of my front door and be in the middle of the party. We could listen to the bands while we sat on our front steps.”
While MSU students and Bash patrons enjoyed the evening, businesses on University Drive benefited greatly from the event. The manager of Roxie’s Square Table Spoon, Raymond Jackson, said his restaurant and bar, located at the heart of the Bash, drew record sales Friday night.
“We had around 3,000 people come in and out during the night and recorded about $7,000 in beer sales,” Jackson said. “We were happy to be right in the middle of it, and we look forward to doing it again next year. It’s a lot of hard work, but a lot of fun.”
Jones summed up the night by recognizing all of the people who became an integral part of making Bulldog Bash happen. He said next year he wants bigger sponsors and bands.
“The night was an overall success, but it would not have been possible without the community, the university, the sponsors and everyone on SA,” Jones said. “Thank you to everyone who was involved. With their help, Bulldog Bash will keep getting bigger and bigger each year.”