As the sun went down west of Starkville Friday evening, the streets of the Cotton District quickly filled with revelers, balconies overlooking University Drive crowded with spectators and the sounds of drums, electric guitars and turntables echoed off nearby buildings.
It was the 2010 Bulldog Bash and, for one night, the Cotton District was transformed into a scene more reminiscent of Bourbon Street than a neighborhood on the edge of the Mississippi State campus.
The lights of the Clark Beverage Group Main Stage, located in front of Bulldog Deli, were visible from blocks away as Mississippi State students and other visitors strolled down the middle of University Drive, coolers and plastic cups in hand. Vendors sold food and beverages on the side of the road and music sounded from house parties throughout the area.
George McConnell and The Nonchalants opened on the main stage at 7:30 p.m. McConnell, a Vicksburg native, played guitar for Widespread Panic from 2002 to 2006 and brought his rock and jam band sound to the streets of Starkville.
Luc and the Lovingtons took the stage next as the crowd on University Drive continued to grow and the patios at Ptolemy”s Taproom, Tabs and a handful of other bars overflowed with festival-goers.
By the time headliner Jason Mraz took the stage at 10 p.m., University Drive, Maxwell Street and Page Avenue were clogged with shoulder-to-shoulder foot traffic, all anxious to get a closer look at the Grammy-winning artist. Event staff and Starkville police patrolled the area.
Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman commended the Mississippi State University Student Association for organizing the event.
“It was a great night,” Wiseman said. “The Student Association is to be commended for putting together a first-class event. They were able to attract a Grammy Award-winning artist to our community to play what I believe is the only free concert of his current tour. It made for a fantastic atmosphere on the streets of Starkville and a night we won”t soon forget.”
Another stage, dubbed the Rick”s Cafe District Stage, was located on Maxwell Street, next to Cotton District Cafe, where musicians SMAASH, B.O.M.B. Squad and Space Capone entertained spectators and nearby residents throughout the night.
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