Regardless if you've lived in Oxford your whole life, have been a student here for four years, or if you are in town for the first time ever, you know we do not mess around when it comes to football. Okay, so our team may not always kick ass on the field, but we sure do pride ourselves on being the best tailgate in the nation. There's really no place like Oxford, Mississippi the weekend of a home game. Let me remind you of the best things about gameday, hands down (like you could ever forget.)
1. Trash Can Friday
I'm pretty positive no one on the planet gets excited to see trash cans like Ole Miss students do. There is no better feeling than driving by or walking through campus on a Friday in the fall and seeing the Grove covered in huge red and blue trash cans. It truly kicks off all the hype of the weekend to come.
2. Beat ____ banners on every sorority house
It never ceases to amaze me how funny and just absolutely beautiful game day banners on the sorority houses can be. We may only get these on really big weekends, but they're always so amazing (let's not forget Kappa's Hugh Freeze banner.)
3. The occasional opposing team hate sign around Oxford
Maybe even better than the sorority banners are the twin sheets spray-painted with mean remarks about the other team. Drive through the Retreat or any other big neighborhood, and you're sure to see a "SABAN GOT DENIED AT THE LEVEE" at least once a year. Nothing says school spirit like ganging up on the other team.
4. The Grove packed with people
Compared to walking through the Grove on the way to class, it's crazy to see it packed with people on a Saturday. Somehow, the Grove feels like it's doubled in size because there's no way it should be able to fit that many people and tents.
5. The Walk of Champions
This one is truly a crowd favorite and something my parents couldn't wait to see the first time they came to visit. Seeing the team and the coach walk down through the Grove to the stadium is the ultimate sign that it's time to get into the Vaught to cheer on the Rebs!!
6. Game day stickers... EVERYWHERE
Not only does every single girl (and guy) wear some kind of sticker in the grove, from sororities love our rebs to fly our state flag, if you look on the ground at any point of gameday weekend, you're bound to see some variation of a sticker smashed into the ground. At this point, it's become part of the decorations in the grove.
7. Hotty Toddy Potties
Some schools actually have to go to the bathroom in porta-potties during tailgates? Can't relate. You don't know luxury until you use one of these on game day.
8. The most extra tents you will ever experience
Tents in the grove just don't play around. Period. I'm talking mimosa fountains, full catered meals from appetizers to desserts, HD Televisions and sometimes even hired bartenders. Talk about people who never lose a party.
9. Locking the Vaught
Locking the Vaught is hands down my favorite part of any Ole Miss gameday. Linking arms with strangers in the stadium and rocking to the music is just one of those weird experiences that can't be explained.
Gameday isn't just an event in Oxford; it's really an experience. It's chaotic and magical, and when you experience it once, you'll never be able to go back to your old ways of tailgating in the back of your truck with a grill ever again. Hotty Toddy.
