Vivian Marlowe
The Grove is a tailgating area located at the center of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) campus. It is approximately 10 acres in size and is known for its oak, elm, and magnolia trees. The area is particularly popular during football season, with fans often arriving the day before a game to secure their spot. While there is no official dress code, Ole Miss fans are known for dressing up for tailgating, with men typically wearing slacks, button-up shirts, and bow ties, and women in cocktail dresses or sundresses. The food options include traditional Southern dishes, finger foods, and hors d'oeuvres, and the atmosphere is festive, with televisions broadcasting college football action from around the country. When it comes to alcohol, there are conflicting reports. While some sources suggest that open consumption of alcohol is illegal in the city limits of the University, others indicate that beer and wine are allowed, and it is common to bring alcohol to The Grove.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol allowed | No, open consumption of alcohol is illegal. Beer and wine are banned by city ordinance. |
| Tent setup | Tents can be set up by professional tailgate vendors, students, or families. Tent setup begins on Friday nights. |
| Dress code | Ole Miss students generally dress up in their "Sunday best". Men wear slacks, button-up shirts, bow ties, Sperry Top Siders, and coats. Women wear cocktail dresses or brightly colored sundresses and high heels. |
| Food | Food fare includes hors d'oeuvres, barbecue, and traditional Southern food like fried chicken, pork, homemade dressings, mashed potatoes, and stuffed eggs. |
| Location | The Grove is located at the center of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) campus, spanning approximately 10 acres. |
| Traditions | Traditions include the Walk of Champions, where fans line the path that the football team walks to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol consumption laws
The Grove is a tailgating area located at the centre of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) campus. It is approximately 10 acres in size and is known for its oak, elm, and magnolia trees. The Grove is a popular spot for fans during Ole Miss Rebels football home games, with over 100,000 fans typically in attendance.
While The Grove is a lively and social place, there are rules and regulations in place, particularly surrounding alcohol consumption. According to a comment on a Reddit post, "open" consumption of any alcohol is illegal within the city limits of the University, which includes most of the campus. "Open" consumption refers to keeping alcohol in a non-clear cup. Beer and fortified wines are banned by city ordinance, but many people still bring and drink beer. It is recommended to keep alcohol in a flask if you want to drink inside the game, and to avoid the student entrance as searches are said to be more thorough there.
In addition to alcohol regulations, there are other rules to be aware of when visiting The Grove. The campus is technically smoke-free, including vaping. While some people do smoke on campus, it is advised to be discreet and mindful of where the smoke goes. Open flames and propane grills are not allowed in The Grove, so food cannot be cooked on-site.
It is also important to note that tents cannot be set up before 7:30 pm the day before a game, and this rule is strictly enforced by campus police. The night before a game, hundreds of people line up around the perimeter of The Grove, waiting for the clock to strike seven, at which point they rush to claim their spots. Tents are typically set up by professional tailgate vendors rather than students or families themselves.
While there are rules and regulations in place, The Grove is known for its lively atmosphere and unique traditions, such as the "'Walk of Champions', where fans line the path that the football team walks to the stadium. The Grove is a popular destination for fans from across the country, and its tailgating traditions are renowned.
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Dress code
Although there is no official dress code for The Grove at Ole Miss, most people tend to dress up for the occasion. Men typically wear slacks, button-up shirts, bow ties, Sperry Top Siders, and coats, while women wear cocktail dresses, skirts, brightly coloured sundresses, cute tops, and high heels or boots. Some people refer to this as their ""Sunday best".
One source observed that all the female students at Ole Miss seem to wear the same thing to the first game of the year, which one year was a black sundress with black sandals, and another year was a skirt with horizontal stripes. The same source also noted that the male students all wear ties.
Another source noted that the dress code is less conservative than the "Sunday best" worn by older fans, with men wearing khakis or nice jeans, polos, button-downs, loafers, or cowboy boots, and women wearing dresses, skirts, cute tops, and sometimes heels, although the source herself preferred boots.
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Food
Fans are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks to share with others. It is considered good etiquette to contribute something to the tent group you are joining, whether it be food or drinks. Small coolers with beverages and snacks like dips or cookies are recommended. However, coolers are not allowed in the stadium, so they must be returned to your car or stored under a table with the tent host's permission.
The Grove also has a reputation for its "fine dining" atmosphere, with chandeliers and fine kitchenware adorning the tents. Silver or silver-plated utensils, candelabras, and fine china are often used to serve the food. This creates a unique and elegant dining experience within the tailgating environment.
In addition to the food brought by fans, there are also professional tailgate vendors who set up tents and provide food options for purchase. These vendors contribute to the variety of food available at The Grove, ensuring that visitors have access to a range of culinary delights during their time there.
While The Grove is primarily known for its game-day food offerings, it is also a popular spot for students to picnic and study during the summers and school days. The serene setting, surrounded by oak, elm, and magnolia trees, provides a peaceful atmosphere for students to enjoy their meals and study outdoors. Overall, food plays a significant role in the culture and traditions of The Grove at Ole Miss, enhancing the social experience and creating lasting memories for those who attend.
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Tents
The Grove at Ole Miss is a 10-acre area in the centre of the University of Mississippi campus. It is a popular tailgating site for Ole Miss Rebels football home games, attracting over 100,000 fans. The Grove is known for its festive atmosphere, with fans dressing up and setting up tents adorned with fine kitchenware, lace, designer doilies, fine china, chandeliers, and silver candelabras.
The Grove is filled with tents of various types, including group tents, fraternity tents, and tents for specific departments like law, pharmacy, and accounting. Setting up a tent in The Grove is a tradition that began in the 1950s when automobiles and RV campers were banned from the area after a rainstorm turned it into a swamp. Today, fans arrive as early as noon the day before a game to claim their spot and set up their tents. The campus rule prohibits anyone from staking their claim before 7:30 pm, and this rule is strictly enforced by campus police.
Most of the tents in The Grove are set up by professional tailgate vendors rather than students or families themselves. These vendors offer tent setup services, and information about approved vendors can be found on the Ole Miss football website. It is also common for groups of friends to pitch in and set up tents together. Students who don't have their own tents can still enjoy The Grove by walking around, hanging out, and socialising with other groups. The student government may also have a tent that is open to all students.
The tents in The Grove are often elaborately decorated and equipped with comfortable furnishings. It is common for tents to be adorned with chandeliers, fine china, and silver candelabras. Fans also bring televisions to keep up with the college football action and serve food on nice serving trays. While there is no strict dress code for The Grove, most fans dress up, with men wearing slacks, button-up shirts, bow ties, and coats, and women wearing cocktail dresses, sundresses, and high heels.
The Grove is known for its hospitality, and it is common for tailgating groups to offer samples of their food to those who ask politely. However, open flame and propane grills are not allowed in The Grove, so food cannot be cooked on-site. Instead, fans bring finger foods, hors d'oeuvres, and traditional Southern dishes like fried chicken, pork, homemade dressings, mashed potatoes, and stuffed eggs. While alcohol consumption is not explicitly mentioned in the sources provided, it is implied that it is allowed as long as it is not in a clear cup and is not beer or wine, which are banned by city ordinance.
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Traditions
One of the most well-known traditions is the "Walk of Champions," where fans line a brick path, marked by an archway, to cheer on the Ole Miss players and coaches as they walk towards the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. This tradition was started by head coach Billy Brewer in the 1980s, and fans eagerly await the opportunity to greet the players and perhaps even shake their hands.
The Grove is also renowned for its food, with a variety of culinary options available. While barbecue holds a special place in tailgating culture, fans can also indulge in hors d'oeuvres and traditional Southern dishes such as fried chicken, pork, homemade dressings, mashed potatoes, and stuffed eggs. Deviled eggs, chicken tenders, dips, smoked meats, and replica stadiums made of cold cuts are also mentioned as food options.
Another unique aspect of The Grove is the emphasis on dressing up. Ole Miss students and fans often wear their "Sunday best," with men donning slacks, button-up shirts, bow ties, and coats, while women wear cocktail dresses or brightly coloured sundresses and high heels. This tradition of dressing up adds to the distinctive atmosphere of The Grove.
While there is no official mention of alcohol being allowed or prohibited in The Grove, sources indicate that "open" consumption of alcohol is generally not allowed on campus, and beer and wine are specifically banned by city ordinance. However, some sources suggest that this rule is not strictly followed, and individuals are advised to use non-clear cups for their drinks.
The Grove at Ole Miss is more than just a tailgating spot; it's a cultural phenomenon with a host of traditions that fans eagerly participate in, creating lasting memories and a sense of community.
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Frequently asked questions
"Open" consumption of alcohol is illegal on campus, and beer and fortified wines are banned by city ordinance. However, many people do drink alcohol in the Grove, and some suggest bringing a flask if you want to drink inside the game.
There is no written dress code, but most people dress up. Men often wear slacks, button-up shirts, bow ties, Sperry Top Siders, and coats, while women wear cocktail dresses or brightly colored sundresses and high heels.
Food in the Grove typically consists of hors d'oeuvres and finger foods, as well as traditional Southern food like fried chicken, pork, homemade dressings, mashed potatoes, and stuffed eggs.
The Grove opens on Friday nights for fans to set up their tents for the following day, and it closes three hours after the game ends on Saturday.
