Contact: Maridith Geuder
Now in its fourth year, Mississippi State's "Bulldog Bash" on Sept. 26 is expected to again include an enthusiastic mix of university students, employees, alumni, and friends, along with visitors from throughout the state and region.
Developed and coordinated by the university's Student Association, the 2003 community get-together will be highlighted by the entertainment of eight musical acts.
"'Bulldog Bash' begins at 5 p.m. on the east end of downtown Starkville with such family activities as inflatable games, photographs with (MSU mascot) 'Bully,' visits with hall of fame athletes, face-painting, a dunking booth, and other such activities," said SA President Josh Blades.
Blades said organizers believe the 2003 "Bash" will match or exceed last year's attendance, which was estimated at more than 15,000.
Like last year, the downtown opening includes an array of sample menu foods provided by various Starkville-area establishments. The Cedar Creek Ramblers, a local acoustic band whose selections range from Hank Williams to AC/DC to Bob Dylan to gospel, will help launch the evening's activities.
Also downtown, a 7:30 p.m. pep rally will boost the MSU Bulldogs as they prepare to take on the Louisiana State University Tigers the following day in the season's first Southeastern Conference game at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.
Blades said "Bash" events following the pep rally shift to the historic Cotton District near campus, where a three-stage format will showcase musical performances from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m.
The main-stage line-up includes:
--Mile 8, a Nashville-based progressive rock band known for their unique soulful sound;
--Will Hoge, a recent Atlantic Records addition who has spent the past three years spreading his modern collegiate sound across the Southeast; and
--Edwin McCain, a South Carolina acoustic guitarist and platinum recording artist whose hits include "I'll Be," "Solitude" and "I Could Not Ask for More."
On the Starkville Convention and Visitor's Bureau-sponsored stage will be local rock band Audiodrive and Breakfast Club, whose repertoire of 1980s tunes have entertained audiences from New Orleans to New Jersey.
Local band Falter, along with the hip-hop and groove sounds of South Payaz, will anchor the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Stage.
Joining the SA as event co-sponsors are the Starkville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Sonic, Bancorp South, WCBI-TV in Columbus, Starkville's WLZA-FM Radio, City of Starkville, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Inc. of Greenwich, Conn., University Management of Columbus, and the MSU Alumni Association.
For more information about "Bulldog Bash 2003," telephone Andrea Slocum or Travis Wolfe at (662) 325-3917 or visit http://www.sa.msstate.edu.