Details surrounding one of the favorite get-togethers among Delta State football fans have been announced.
The 40th annual Pig Pickin’ is scheduled for Sept. 5-6 with most events taking place at Statesman Park on campus at the university in Cleveland. It will include a Mississippi Barbecue Network-sanctioned cooking competition, live entertainment from the Delta Music Institute, food vendors, a pep rally, and then Delta State’s first home game of the season on Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. against North Greenville University.
A cherished tradition that was started by Hugh Ellis Walker and the university’s alumni foundation in 1985, Pig Pickin’ has grown from a simple alumni gathering into a weekend-long extravaganza that sees thousands of students, faculty, alumni, and Statesmen fans get together to celebrate the place they all love.
“For 40 years now, the Alumni Association has been hosting Pig Pickin’ to kick off the football season. This year is no exception. In addition to the Delta BBQ Brawl competition hosted by MBN, there will be lots of things happening out at Statesmen Park,” DSU Director of Alumni Affairs Corley Mullins said in a news release. “I can’t wait to see Statemen Park full of alumni, students, and friends.”
BBQ tickets will be available for $15 each and include a Yo Eddie BBQ plate with a pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, coleslaw, and a drink. There will also be plenty of Pig Pickin’ merchandise for purchase, including t-shirts and hats.
For those who want to tailgate at Pig Pickin’, setting up tents will be on a first-come, first-serve basis with no registration required for general attendees. Campus and student organizations planning to host an official tailgate must reserve spots through the DSU Office of the Vice President and Student Affairs.
The full schedule of events is as follows:
Friday, Sept. 5
- 2 p.m. – Statesmen Park opens
- 4 p.m. – Meet the Dean at Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni House
- 5:30 p.m. – Order of the Okra Bash at the President’s House
- 6 p.m. – Delta BBQ Brawl begins at Statesmen Park
- 7 p.m. – Tailgating opens to student-approved groups
- 12 a.m. – Statesmen Park closes
Saturday, Sept. 6
- 8 a.m. – Coach Bill Marchant Golf Tournament at Cleveland Country Club
- 9 a.m. – DSU Cheer Mini Cheer Camp at Walter Sillers Coliseum
- 9 a.m. – Pig Pickin’ Pilates at Grammy Museum Mississippi
- 9:45 a.m. – Delta BBQ Brawl begins at Statesmen Park
- 10 a.m. – Phi Mu Kappa Epsilon’s Annual Bunco at First United Methodist Church
- 12 p.m. – Foo vendors open at Statesmen Park
- 12 p.m. – Tailgating opens at Statesmen Park
- 12 p.m. – Office of Admissions Tailgate for potential students opens at Statesmen Park
- 1 p.m. – Delta BBQ Brawl finals at Statesmen Park
- 2 p.m. – Cornhole tournament at Statesmen Park
- 2 p.m. – Pep rally at Statesmen Park
- 2:30 p.m. – Live entertainment with Delta Music Institute at Statesmen Park
- 4 p.m. – Gates at Parker Field-McCool Stadium open
- 5 p.m. – Presentation of Delta BBQ Brawl winners at Statesmen Park
- 6 p.m. – Delta State vs. North Greenville football game at Parker Field-McCool Stadium
Grill-masters who want to compete in the Delta BBQ Brawl must register here. More information on the 40th annual Pig Pickin’ at Delta State can be found here.
