Cochran and others to honor WWII vets Saturday, August 28 at MSU Union

Two events sponsored by the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum are set to take place in the coming weeks to pay tribute to World War II veterans of Oktibbeha County and to celebrate the county’s rich history in aviation research and innovations.

“Public Forum and Panel Discussion: History of Aviation in Oktibbeha County” will take place on Thursday, August 26, 2010, in the Main Gym of the Starkville Sportsplex at 10:00 a.m. and will feature such speakers as Dave Raspet, Chester McKee, Terry Camp, Ernest Russell, George Bennett, Mel Swartsberg, Estel Wilson, Stuart Vance, Tom Hardy, Greg Stewart of Aurora Flight Sciences and will be moderated by Dr. Roy Ruby.

World War II Veterans Recognition Ceremony will take place Saturday, August 28, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in the Foster Ballroom of the Colvard Student Union on Mississippi State’s campus, and will include a keynote address from Senator Thad Cochran. MSU President Mark Keenum will provide the welcome, and former Mississippi Lt. Governor Amy Tuck will serve as emcee. Veterans of World War II residing in Oktibbeha County are urged to contact the Greater Starkville Development Partnership if they have not received an invitation to the event at 662-323-3322.

The public is welcome and invited to attend both events free of charge. For details or additional information, please contact Jennifer Gregory, GSDP Vice President for Tourism Development at 662-323-3322 or at jgregory@starkville.org.

Special thanks also go to the following contributing sponsors: Greater Starkville Development Partnership, MSU Center for America’s Veterans, and Gulf States Manufacturers.

Downtown Block Party Set for Friday, Sept. 3

Downtown Block Party, the first event in a series of pre MSU home football game events entitled Viva Starkvegas, is set to take place Friday, September 3 prior to Mississippi State’s season opener football game against University of Memphis on Main Street in Downtown Starkville.

Sponsored by the Greater Starkville Development Partnership and the MSU Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, Downtown Block Party will feature a street fair atmosphere with live music, art displays and sales by Starkville Area Arts Council local artisans, Main Street restaurant vendor booths, tailgating-wear fashion show, multi-cultural dancing and demonstrations, a children’s village with inflatable jumpers and face painting, and much more.

“We saw huge success with Pumpkinpalooza last year on the premise that community events prior to MSU home football games provide a fun, free, family activity for local residents, students, and MSU fans on nights before ballgames. We decided we definitely wanted to do more of that and also want to encourage MSU fans to come up to Starkville a night early to really experience what our community has to offer in addition to MSU sports,” said Jennifer Gregory, GSDP vice president for tourism development & Starkville main street manager.

Festivities will take place from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Main Street in Downtown Starkville. Main Street will be closed to traffic for the event from 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. from Washington Street to Jackson Street. All activities are free of charge, and all are welcome and encouraged to attend. Live music performers include: Jeff & Jeff, Bill Cooke, and others.

For more information about Downtown Block Party or any of the Viva Starkvegas events, contact Gregory at jgregory@starkville.org, (662) 323-3322, or visit the Viva Starkvegas website at visit.starkville.org/vivastarkvegas.

Mississippi State Head Football Coach Dan Mullen on ESPN

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Viva Starkvegas set for this Fall

Get ready for Fall Football season in Starkville, MS! Organizations from the Starkville community and Mississippi State University have come together to coordinate a series of Friday night events to be held in the community or on campus prior to MSU home football games. Here's a run-down of what you can expect to see this Fall!

SEPTEMBER 3
(on the eve of the MSU vs Memphis game)
DOWNTOWN BLOCK PARTY
6:00 - 9:00pm in Downtown Starkville
Downtown Open House, music, arts, cultural diversity, kids activities.
Mid-night pep rally!

SEPTEMBER 24
(on the eve of the MSU vs Georgia game)
BULLDOG BASH
in the Cotton District
The biggest free concert in the free world. Pep rally!
OCTOBER 22
(on the eve of MSU Homecoming vs UAB)
BULLDOG FAMILY FRENZY
Downtown Starkville and The Junction on the MSU Campus
Parade starting downtown, ending in the Junction, followed by
pep rally & kids activities

OCTOBER 29
(on the eve of the MSU vs Kentucky game)
PUMPKINPALOOZA
Trick-or-treating, fall festival, final Starkville Community Market of the year,
MSU pep rally