The second iteration of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership’s Friday night farmers market will begin the organization’s New South Weekends fall event schedule Sept. 1, the Partnership announced Wednesday.
This year’s event series, which utilizes Partnership-sponsored events primarily on Fridays and Sundays as a way to keep sports tourists in town longer during Mississippi State University football weekends, revolves around seven home games, from September through Thanksgiving’s Egg Bowl against Ole Miss.
GSDP held Starkville Community Market’s first ever Friday night offering last year as a way to kickoff New South Weekends, and Partnership Interim Tourism Director Jennifer Prather said its success — an estimated 2,000 people came through Fire Station Park for the event — led her organization to schedule it again for the day before State faces Charleston Southern University in the first game of the season.
Minor changes are coming to this year’s offering, and Prather identified expanding the market’s food and beverage area down Lampkin Street as a way to allow more pop-up vendor space in the public greenspace.
“That will also allow better for better navigation through the entire area and make for a better experience for our guests,” she said. “As we did last year, the night market again will focus on promoting local and Mississippi food, beverage and crafts. It’s a great opportunity for independent vendors to showcase their wares and help promote the creative culture here in Starkville.”
Other fall staples are also scheduled for this year’s New South Weekends series.
Bulldog Bash, hosted by the MSU Student Association, will be held Sept. 15, the day before MSU plays Louisiana State University. This year’s bash is moving down the road from its traditional Cotton District location and will locate at the intersection of Jackson and Main streets.
Growth and safety issues led organizers to move the event, organizer Allie Nichols said in June, and the T-shaped intersection will allow MSUSA to utilize a larger stage.
This event’s musical lineup has not yet been announced.
Also scheduled are Pumpkinpalooza (Oct. 13), Citywide Tailgate (Oct. 20), unWine Downtown (Nov. 3) and Christmas Open House and Cookies with Santa (Nov. 12).
Black Friday Bonanza, the Partnership event that encourages local retailers to engage residents and visitors during the nation’s busiest shopping day, will be held Nov. 24, the day after the Egg Bowl.
Additionally, Bulldog Brunch and Browse will be held each Sunday following MSU football games. That event encourages local retailers to open their doors on days they traditionally would be closed to allow shopping opportunities for those getting one last meal before heading out of town.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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