By Ella McIlvain
Saturdays in the South are notable for great football traditions. Among the best is the Grove at the University of Mississippi. It is packed in a sea of navy blue and red on gameday. Gameday weekend is kicked off with the iconic trash can Friday, where the Grove is dotted with hundreds of red and blue trash cans as the campus gets ready for the game.
Photo Credits: Ella McIlvain
At seven in the evening, eager fans line up with chairs and tents in tow in the hopes of claiming the best spot for their tailgate. Once the Grove is open and the tents go up, fans wait for that early alarm clock ring to get them up. Women and men deck themselves out and make their way to the Grove. Things start up early so they can enjoy the Grove to its fullest capacity.
There are many types of tents and tailgaters you will come across in the Grove. Let’s first start with the simple and sometimes dirty fraternity tents where beer cans spill on the ground and girls linger around. Next, there are the local Mississippi city tents like Tupelo and Jackson. These are mega tents where all can go to mingle and eat with the locals who love to entertain.
My favorite thing to do in the Grove is to take a “Grove lap” to catch a glimpse at all the setups for the game, and most are over the top. The Grove is probably one of the only tailgates where you will find chandeliers and fine dining for a football game. The gameday luxuries are all on display with lights, TV, food and decor.
Another aspect of the Grove is the many names tents have for themselves that are displayed on fun signs with unique titles that give you some insight about who the tent belongs to. College football is king, especially in the south, and along with that title comes great fans. The Ole Miss fans and people of the Grove are welcoming to all who pass by. Most of the time, if you don’t have a tent to go to, you will quickly be adopted into one. Whether you’re a Grove pro or new to it, it is sure to be an experience you will never forget.
Photo Credit: Ella McIlvain