The Mississippi Mud Monsters are going to party like it’s 1776 in celebrating America250 this Independence Day weekend.
“It is all in on America this weekend,” Mud Monsters Assistant GM David Kerr said. “It’s a loaded weekend. People expect to come to Trustmark Park for fireworks on the 4th of July, primarily because it’s not just fireworks. You don’t have to sit in your car on the side of the road to watch a fireworks show.”
Festivities begin on Thursday, with the Frontier League club hosting a powdered wig race called the “Declaration of Thirstpendence” — a dramatic reading of a very important document that may or may not begin with, “When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary to secure $2 drafts…” — and discounted beer as the Mud Monsters wrap up a series versus the Gateway Grizzlies.
Sprucing things up a bit, those in attendance will also have the chance to be an honorary delegate of one of the nation’s original 13 colonies and sign a large replica Declaration of Independence that will be displayed within the Pearl ballpark.
“We have a giant Declaration of Independence that everyone can sign, so you, too, can be John Hancock,” Kerr added.
Thursday’s game begins at 6:30 p.m. with gates opening at 5:30 p.m.
Then, the main attraction will follow on Friday and Saturday, as the Mud Monsters will be shooting fireworks both days to cap rounds of action on the diamond. But Kerr adds that there will be a litany of other in-game activities to keep fans engaged and entertained.
“What we know is that people are for those giant fireworks shows on Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4,” Kerr said. “But we’re trying to add that level of Mud Monsters nonsense people have come to expect.”
On top of that, Kerr said the amenities offered at Trustmark Park will only add to the baseball and fireworks watching experience.
“I think the bonus for everybody is that you get a guaranteed seat. You pay for a ticket, you get a seat, and you have a place to enjoy the game and watch fireworks,” Kerr continued. “Beyond that, you have access to clean restrooms. You have food and beverage access, all things that just better the experience.”
The Mud Monsters will play the Florence Y’alls on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday beginning at 5 p.m., with a doubleheader scheduled that day. Between the two Saturday games will be a flag football game taking place on the field. Tickets to all of this weekend’s games can be found here.
“There will be some surprises on the video board where you will really feel like you are part of a big moment,” Kerr said. “You won’t feel like it’s just another ‘America’s birthday.’ Hopefully people show up to these games and they’re telling their kids, ‘I remember where I was during America250.”
Why go to a Mississippi Mud Monsters game?
With Mississippians likely having a wide variety of Independence Day weekend events to consider, going to a Mud Monsters game might require a commitment that entails ditching another plan. But making the choice to head out to the ballpark is one Kerr says visitors will not regret.
“You can come to the Mud Monsters for baseball, and you’ll get really good baseball. You can come to the Mud Monsters for fun, because you never know what’s going to happen, and you’re going to have a ton of fun,” Kerr said. “You can come to the Mud Monsters for food. Our hotdogs are shipped in from Boston.”
As Kerr hinted at, their hotdogs come from the same distributor that supplies them to Fenway Park for Boston Red Sox games. Aside from the traditional ballpark food, the Farm Bureau Cafe located beyond the right field wall is a full service restaurant that Kerr says makes the best cheese curds in the Jackson metro area. This writer argues that the chicken wings there are among the best in the state.
As for the baseball, the Mud Monsters are a professional team. It is not an amateur club, but one that signs players with aspirations of playing in the MLB. Talent comes from all over the globe, with the team having boasted players from Venezuela, Australia, and a multitude of U.S. states. Notably, former Mississippi State outfielder Brayland Skinner has been the club’s anchor this season, with a .347 batting average and a whopping 25 stolen bases.
“These are professionals who come from around the world. Some of our best players are from Venezuela. We’ve had a 7-foot pitcher from Australia on our team. We sign guys from across the country,” Kerr said. “One of our best players is a local guy. If you’re a Mississippi State fan, you remember Brayland Skinner stealing that base to send the Bulldogs to the College World Series in 2021.”
Another neat aspect of going to a Mud Monsters game is that you can do so with your children and best-behaved four-legged friend. This season, kids can enjoy all the bounce houses within the park free of charge and dogs are welcome at every home game at Trustmark Park, meaning if you want to take Scruffy or Buster on an outdoor adventure, you can do so.
Oh yeah, and parking is entirely free.
