What is successful tourism? Merriam-Webster defines tourism as the practice of traveling for recreation. However, to Paige Hunt, the Director of Tourism in Starkville, Mississippi, tourism means more than just a definition.
This weekend, the Party Animals will face the Texas Tailgaters for an exciting game of the viral “Banana Ball” at Mississippi State University’s own Dudy Noble Field.
When asked about her position concerning the exciting weekend ahead, Hunt said, “I like to explain to people that I sell fun for a living. My job is to promote Starkville to people who do not live here.”
Hunt further explained that since students are not here long enough to place their kids in our schools, be on our roads or use our infrastructure, tourism is important for the growth of the city. According to Hunt, visitors are a great way to form advocates for our town.
Hunt said she views tourism similarly to Maura Gast, executive director at Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau. According to Gast, by building a place that people want to visit, it will become a place they want to live, work and do business. What’s good for visitors is good for residents.
“I think that the Party Animals vs. Texas Tailgaters weekend is a perfect example of how an event that’s going to be wonderful for the residents of Starkville and the students of Mississippi State University is also going to attract a large visitor contingent to our town,” Hunt said.
Hunt said that visitors will spend money, dine in our restaurants, stay in our hotels, shop in our stores and leave knowing that Starkville, Mississippi, is somewhere that they want to come back to.
Tom Greene, the Deputy Athletics Director for External Engagement, worked closely with Paige Hunt. He outlined the extensive steps behind organizing the weekend and explained the planning process stretched over a year.
Conversations from Mississippi State University’s administration started back in early 2023 with Jesse Cole, the founder of Banana Ball. Cole and the remainder of the involved administration originally planned for this event to take place in 2024. Ultimately, things did not follow through for various reasons, but dialogue remained open between both parties.
Interest from Mississippi State came back up a year ago, seeking for the team to come to Davis Wade Stadium. In this short period, their organization grew significantly, explained Greene.
Their main team, the Savannah Bananas, initially planned to play in Davis Wade, but outgrew Mississippi State. The team started in smaller arenas, including the initial date they were supposed to play in Davis Wade, to performing in arenas as large as NFL Stadiums only a year later.
To clear confusion, Banana Ball is composed of four teams: the Savannah Bananas, the Party Animals, the Fire Fighters and the new team this year, the Texas Tailgaters.
As a part of the Banana Ball World Tour, they responded to MSU’s administration with a new idea. They knew that they wanted to get the Party Animals on their own headlining tour, allowing them to have weekends in which they play in two different places. This was a new concept implemented for the team this year.
They also knew they wanted to partner with select college baseball programs. This led to locations such as the University of Arkansas, Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University being chosen to host.
“It’s really important for myself, Zac Selmon and our administration to be a great community partner,” Greene said.
Some of the motivators for bringing the game to MSU were economic development, student admissions and recruitment, entertainment for families and the student body, building partnerships with Student Affairs and Student Association, along with the betterment of the Starkville community.
It is no secret that this special game will bring quite a spark to Starkville. After tickets, originally only $35, sold out within two hours, they are now being resold at upwards of $500 a ticket. Greene said that this year, the waitlist for the raffle to purchase a ticket was close to 5 million people. He estimates that only one-third of those attending will be from Starkville.
Hunt described how exciting it is to be included in such a successful project as well. She further explained that, although she is excited for the uproar that comes with this, dealing with large crowds is not always easy for Starkville.
She believes one reason tourism can be difficult for locals — and in her case, what she refers to as temporary locals and soon-to-be visitors (students) — is that this is our home.
Hunt emphasized that while Starkville’s appeal is sometimes overlooked by those who live there, the upcoming event offers a rare opportunity to showcase the community on a regional and national stage, drawing visitors well beyond Mississippi State fans and even beyond the state itself.
It will be a different atmosphere in Dudy Noble. Greene explained that local fans all know what the environment is like when the Bulldogs take Dudy Noble Field, and they know what they are cheering for. It will be neat for Bulldog fans to experience the stadium in a new light, and for people who may have never had the chance to experience a baseball game the Bulldog way.
To ensure all outside visitors get the full Mississippi State experience and hospitality they deserve, Greene said an arrangement was made, only allowing Bulldog fans to use the outfield lounges.
Hunt said she is excited to welcome everyone, residents and visitors, to the party. Nearby restaurants and shops will have ongoing specials for the weekend. To find them, visit starkville.org along with their social media pages. Photos and videos will be posted of the game here as well.
