The Washington County Alumni Association for Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) is getting in gear to host the fourth annual Delta Tailgating Festival.
The free event, which will feature live music and vendors, is set to run from 3-10 p.m. Oct. 12 in Stein Mart Square in downtown Greenville.
The event initially started as a scholarship fundraiser for MVSU in 2011 at the Washington County Convention Center. After the first few years, the organization decided to postpone the festival date due to constantly clashing with the highly-attended Delta Hot Tamale Festival, said Willie Sullivan, co-coordinator for the event.
“With the ever-growing success of the tamale festival, we decided to wait to hold off on it,” Sullivan said.
The tailgating festival returned in 2014 at the same location, only to leave again until 2018.
“With the major return in 2018 solely as a festival, not a fundraiser, we ended up working out a schedule that wouldn’t clash with other events and festivals. We plan on doing this festival every year without ceasing again,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan went before the Washington County Board of Supervisors and the Greenville City Council in August requesting their partnership and advertisement with no cost to the county or city, and everyone agreed to help. Sullivan noted Vice Mayor Lurann Thomas also agreed to be a coordinator for the event.
“With the help of the county and city, more people will be in attendance. They can’t write us a check, but the in-kind is better than money,” Sullivan said.
There will be no admission fee for tailgaters, vendors, RV owners or anyone coming to the festival. There is no registration fee for vendors.
Attendees are welcome to bring their own food and drinks for the event.
There will also be live blues performances from The Big Time Rhythm and Blues Band, Nathaniel Kimble and other artists.
Divine Nine organizations, social groups, local high schools, Greenville Park and Recreation and local veterans will also have booths set up.
Carlos Brothers, co-coordinator for this event, said he encourages everyone to bring their grills and lawn chairs.
“We want everyone to know that they are more than welcome to bring their grill and lawn chairs and make sure they have a good time at the festival,” Brothers said.
Both Sullivan and Brothers said they want everyone to come out and enjoy themselves.
“This event is designed for family and friends to be together and not spend one dime. Listen to music, eat and have fun with each other. It is a way for the city-elected officials to give back,” Sullivan said. “We want all university alumni to participate, not just Mississippi Valley State University.”
For more information, Sullivan can be reached at 662-822-4099.
