Northeast to host third annual TigerTown Tailgate

by Michael H Miller

BOONEVILLE, Miss. -- (10/16/2023) — Northeast Mississippi Community College will help families ring in the cooler fall temperatures with a TigerTown Tailgate on Thursday, October 26, in the area around the fountain on the college's Booneville campus from 4:30-6 p.m.

Coming off the success of the previous two year's events, the TigerTown Tailgate again features exhibits and giveaways outside so that children can enjoy the game day atmosphere on campus.

Northeast's TigerTown Tailgate is a way of giving back to the community and is open to anyone free of charge and will lead into the final Northeast home football game of the 2023 regular season against the Coahoma Tigers later that night.

In previous years, approximately 20-25 organizations have come together to participate in the TigerTown Tailgate, providing a structured event for Northeast employees, their families, students and community members of all ages.

During the first year of the event, inclement weather caused it to be moved inside the Haney Union but brisk temperatures and a balmy 64 degree evening in 2022 allowed the event to go on outside on the lawn around the fountain and the Ramsey Student Services area where approximately 500 participants took part.

As part of the TigerTown Tailgate, organizations have giveaways, exhibits and other activities to keep those in attendance fully involved in the event. Northeast's golf team has set up a putting green in the past for participants to prove their putting prowess. Northeast's volleyball program has had a volleyball activity and the college's Development Foundation and Alumni Association has passed out color-changing cups and Northeast-labeled crayons.

Northeast president Dr. Ricky G. Ford's office is returning with college-labeled bags for the participants as in the past years for those participating in the TigerTown Tailgate.

In addition to the giveaways, activities and exhibits, the President's office provides vouchers for free entry to the Northeast football game versus Coahoma that night. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m., just as the TigerTown Tailgate wraps up.

Not only do participants get a chance to witness a Northeast gameday, but those involved also get a free meal provided by the Northeast President's Office as well as part of the community-wide tailgate that is provided before each Northeast home football game.

Many offices and organizations on campus have already signed up to be part of the fun.

Northeast's Division of Mathematics and Sciences is setting up two tents to have a haunted house style display as participants will be able to walk through, look and touch and interact with a mad scientist.

Other divisions include the Division of Health Sciences that will be giving away free cotton candy as a way to give the participants a sugar rush before the football game and the Northeast Development Foundation and Alumni Association will have Northeast-labeled souviner footballs and 75th anniversary bubbles to give away as well.

Northeast's Office of Enrollment Services - recruiting, admissions and records - will give away pom poms to those in attendance along with temporary tattoos while the college's Office of Planning and Research along with the Office of Instruction will be providing candy, colored pencils and stickers to those in attendance.

Other offices like the financial aid office on campus along with student activities will have games and events to help keep participants entertained as they make their way around to each tent during the TigerTown Tailgate.

Northeast's Eula Dees Memorial Library will give away bookmarks with the Library's logo on it, pencils and candy to those in attendance and the Northeast Lady Tiger volleyball program will have a "Go Fish" type game and the DECA Hospitality chapter will help raise awareness for its on-campus chapter by giving away candy to those coming to the event.

In addition to the TigerTown Tailgate, Northeast's game day experience will be full of activities.

At 12:10 p.m. the Northeast community will come together for a pep rally on the quad area around the fountain in front of the Ramsey Student Services Building.

Northeast's TigerTown Tailgate is sponsored by the Northeast President's Office and the college's public relations committee.

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