Party in the Grove

Middle Tennessee State University’s Walnut Grove, the traditional pre-game gathering spot for students, alumni and fans of Blue Raider Football, will be louder and prouder this season with the addition of Party in the Grove, which will feature live music, food trucks and other fun activities.

The centerpiece of Party in the Grove will be a performance stage for bands, artists and DJs, set to start three and a half hours before kickoff of the six home football games. Two food trucks and several new sponsor tents and activities will be added to the mix as well.

Raider Walk, the traditional arrival of the team two hours before kickoff, remains in place, as does the family favorite features such as the Band of Blue, cheer and dance teams, bouncy houses and face painting. Space also remains for fraternities and sorority tents, as well as tailgating for alumni and others.

The party will wind down 45 minutes prior to kickoff with a “Follow Me to Floyd” parade, led by Student Government Association President Michai Mosby and Blue Zoo President Bretlyn Warner, who will also be the event’s emcees.

“Our goal with this, and our many other new initiatives tied to Athletics, is to build excitement and engagement on our campus during game days,” said MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee. “I appreciate the hard work and collaboration by the many offices and groups across the University to make this new event possible.”

The power behind the Party in the Grove is a partnership led by the Division of Student Affairs, the College of Media and Entertainment and Blue Raider Athletics.

“Party in the Grove is just one of many great additions in the works this season to improve the game-day experience for our fans,” said Athletics Director Chris Massaro. “We are all excited to begin this new era of Blue Raider Football.”

McPhee said the artist lineup for Party in the Grove will be announced shortly. However, the president said, “I’m looking forward to welcoming some of our music industry alums to help us get the Party in the Grove started.”

Information about each Party in the Grove will be featured on the Blue Raider Athletics website, goblueraiders.com, as part of its game day information for fans.

Walnut Grove, an open field between Peck Hall and the Cope Administration Building, has long been a focal point on the MTSU campus.

It got its name after J.H. Bayer, a custodian at then Middle Tennessee State Teachers College, visited Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home in Virginia, and filled a paper bag with nuts that had fallen from trees growing when the nation’s first president lived there. Bayer planted the walnuts in the grove and the resulting trees became a source of beauty and shade throughout the years.

Blue Raider Football’s season begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, with the home opener at Floyd Stadium against historic rival Tennessee Tech. Click here to purchase tickets to the game.

Party in the Grove Tailgating Guidelines

Middle Tennessee State University welcomes all alumni, students, fans and friends to our campus and believes that athletic events are an important component of the overall educational experience. Game day activities help build a sense of community and offer an opportunity for social interaction. Our goal is to provide a safe, enjoyable environment for all guests and assure a pleasurable experience for everyone in attendance. All game day activities should be conducted mindful of the campus surroundings and all who choose to participate in game day activities are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner at all times. To assure that we maintain a high quality, safe environment for those in attendance, we have developed the following guidelines:

• The Walnut Grove will open at 7:30 a.m. on game day. Tailgate activities may begin no sooner than four and one half (4.5) hours prior to kick off. Weeknight game activities may be adjusted due to classes.

• All music and games in tailgate area in Walnut Grove must cease 45 minutes prior to game kickoff. Two hours after game kickoff the area will close. MTSU officials will ask those failing to comply to leave the premises.

• Uniformed officers will periodically patrol through the area after the game as commenced.

• Personal vehicles, i.e.: golf carts, gators, vehicles, will not be permitted inside the Walnut Grove tailgate area. Only official use MTSU approved/registered vehicles will be allowed. The placement of RV’s in Greenland or TLC must be coordinated through the MTSU Athletic Department.

• Parking is prohibited on the east side of Old Main Circle. At no time should vehicles park on or obstruct access to sidewalks.

• Glass bottles are prohibited. All beverages must be in non-breakable cups.

• No large containers or community/common drink dispensers are permitted. Any device or activity used to increase the consumption of beverages is prohibited.

• No indoor-use furniture, i.e. couches or recliners, is permitted.

• Everyone is expected to clean their tailgate area prior to kickoff. The dumping of hot coals in the tailgate area or in trash receptacles is prohibited.

• Only portable radio/stereo units will be allowed. Volume and the language in music must be appropriate for all ages.

• Any equipment requiring external power is allowable only with a small portable generator, 1,500-2,000-watt max.; connecting to building power sources is prohibited. The use of gas-powered generators must be approved in advance by the Event Coordination Department.

• Stand-alone tents in the Walnut Grove that exceed 12’ x 12’ must be approved in advance by the MTSU SPARE office. Driving stakes or anchors into the ground is not permitted. Corporate tents are permitted in the designated tent area only as approved by the MTSU Athletic Department and SPARE.

• Only MTSU-approved platforms, stages and enclosed tents are permitted in the tailgating area(s).

• There will be no soliciting, advertising or hawking of wares unless approved in advance by MTSU SPARE and/or the Athletic Department and/or Phillips. Business solicitation and fundraising within MTSU facilities or on MTSU premises are prohibited unless specifically approved by the MTSU Athletic Department. Game day distribution of flyers or leaflets on parked vehicles is expressly prohibited. Only MTSU Athletics or their designated representatives will be allowed to sell merchandise in the tailgate area.

• Items left in the tailgate area once the area closes will be confiscated and discarded.

• The possession or use of firearms is not permitted on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.

• MTSU is a Tobacco-Free Campus, and the use of tobacco will not be permitted. This policy applies to all forms of tobacco products including, but not limited to, cigarettes, pipes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff, as well as smokeless electronic cigarettes and other similar devices.

• No pets are allowed in Walnut Grove. Documented Service Animals are permitted.

• Any violations of these guidelines may result in termination of tailgating privileges and criminal prosecution and/or action taken through the University Police, the MTSU Dean of Students or the Murfreesboro Police Department.

• Exceptions to these guidelines, other than student and student organization reservations, can be made by calling the Athletic Department at 615- 898-5563 or MTSU SPARE at 615-898-2551.