An influx of tourists for tonight’s Bulldog Bash, Mississippi’s largest outdoor concert, and Saturday’s football game between Mississippi State University and Texas A&M will provide a huge boon to the local economy while also adding pressure on local law enforcement agencies as they ensure safety throughout the county.
Starkville’s transition from a small college town to a tourist destination for about 100,000 visitors began Thursday as motorists inundated its roads in preparation for an extended, busy weekend. Gridlocked, on-campus traffic near MSU’s junction snaked around President’s Circle as another thoroughfare was shut down while workers constructed SEC Network’s “SEC Nation” set outside of Dorman Hall.
More visitors are expected to flood Starkville’s streets for tonight’s Bulldog Bash, which features country acts Justin Moore and Drake White and The Big Fire, and Southern rockers The Dirty Guv’nahs. Festivities begin with 2 p.m.’s Maroon Market and Grill Your Bash Off, followed by 5:15 p.m.’s Dawg Rally with Dan Mullen. Concerts begin at 7 p.m., and Moore, the event’s headliner, is scheduled to perform at 10 p.m.
Friday night also features soccer and volleyball action as MSU faces Louisiana State University and the University of South Carolina respectively at 7 p.m.
Saturday’s football schedule begins with the pre-game Dawg Walk at 9 a.m. as “SEC Nation” goes live at the Junction. Kickoff against the Aggies is set for 11 a.m. MSU will honor famed MSU radio broadcaster Jack Cristil, who died Sept. 7, and members of the 1974 Sun Bowl team with pre-game and halftime tributes.
Soccer and volleyball games, both scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, will conclude the weekend as MSU faces the University of Georgia and the University of Florida, respectively.
Economic potential
As with any football game day weekend, the potential impact for Starkville’s retailers is great, but Greater Starkville Development Partnership CEO Jennifer Gregory said this weekend could bring the year’s best chances for increased sales tax receipts because of additional Bulldog Bash visitors and the fact that MSU and TAMU are both highly ranked.
Since events are scheduled from Friday through Sunday, local hotels could see an increase in reservations as more visitors commit to spending the entire weekend in Starkville.
The Partnership estimates one home football game delivers about $13.3 million in combined direct and indirect expenditures, which roughly translates into $615,000 in local tax receipts. Besides a $500,000 surge from the state’s 7 percent general sales tax, Starkville could also earn a combined $105,000 from its own 2 percent levies on food, beverages and hotel expenditures.
Some downtown retailers will even keep their doors open during Sunday’s Bulldog Brunch and Browse, a program developed by the Partnership that helped deter Main Street storefronts from historically closing the day after football games.
“(This weekend is) definitely a great opportunity for our merchants simply because of the volume of people that will come into Starkville,” Gregory said. “It’s hard to predict how many visitors will spend their money and where, but we always tell our retailers to be ready for anything on Bulldog Bash weekends.”
Law agencies mobilizing
While tourists are enjoying this weekend’s numerous events, law enforcement agencies are urging residents and visitors alike to be safe and follow the law.
A drastic spike in the town’s population means both Starkville Police Department and Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department will mobilize more officers and deputies for weekend patrols. Both departments utilize grants that cover overtime pay during football season and special events in the spring.
“At least half of our department’s manpower will be considered active, overtime or on reserve for this weekend,” said SPD Capt. Mark Ballard, who serves as the department’s operations manager.
SPD began blocking off Cotton District roads early Friday morning in preparation for Bulldog Bash and will continue restricting vehicular traffic in the area today. Ballard also reminds tourists of the city’s zero-tolerance parking policy for areas of the Highway 12 bypass. Motorists who park their vehicles on the side of the road between the Spring Street and Highway 182 intersections will have their automobiles towed.
“But the big thing this weekend is safety. We ask that if you drink, you have a sober driver. If you also attend a large event — either Bulldog Bash, tailgating activities or the football game itself — be sure to have a sober person with you for any important decision-making,” he said. “We strongly encourage those who do drink to utilize MSU’s shuttle system or call a friend or a cab.”
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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