Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Beer Garden, Fun Zone return to Floyd Stadium; Chocolate milk debuts
8/24/2021 10:00:00 AM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — As fans prepare to return to Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium for a full capacity season of Blue Raider football, the events staff within the Middle Tennessee Athletic Department has been hard at work preparing for the return of fan favorite game day amenities both within the stadium and across campus.
After operating with a capacity of only 7,000 fans during the 2020 season, Middle Tennessee is excited to welcome full capacity crowds to Floyd Stadium, with no mask requirements, and bring back the fan amenities that were absent in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We're extremely excited to welcome back our fans to Floyd Stadium," Director of Athletics Chris Massaro said. "Fans can enjoy the return of game day traditions both before and after kickoff, there are more reasons than ever to cheer on the Blue Raiders this fall. I know our players and coaches are ecstatic to run out on the field before a full house of loud and proud Blue Raiders."
Back in the south end zone, Middle Tennessee will once again partner with Hop Springs Beer Park and Steel Barrel Brewery for the return of the Blue Raider Beer Garden. First introduced in the 2019 season, the Blue Raider Beer Garden features Steel Barrel Brewery craft beers for purchase, as well as grilled food for fans to enjoy underneath the umbrellas and tables in the endzone alongside games like corn hole and giant jenga.
MTSU will partner once again with Hop Springs to craft unique small-batch beers, themed to each week's opponent.
The Beer Garden opens with the gates to the stadium and will serve through the end of the third quarter. Entrance is free to fans 21 and up with their admission ticket to the game.
Also returning after a successful 2019 debut is the Family Fun Zone, located behind Sections 1A-3A. Featuring inflatables, face painting, balloon animals and various carnival games throughout the season, the Family Fun Zone will also serve as the check-in for the Blue Raider Kids' Club.
New to the Family Fun Zone this season will be the inclusion of stations serving MTSU Creamery chocolate milk, a long-beloved cafeteria tradition for generations of Blue Raiders now made available inside of Floyd Stadium for the very first time.
Made available for retail sale for the first time in over 50 years in the summer of 2017, MTSU Creamery partners with the School of Agribusiness and Agriscience to produce the legendary milk and provide opportunities for the university's Experiential Learning and Research Center, based in Lascassas, where students work seven days a week in the milk's production process.
The Blue Raiders are also excited to welcome families to full tailgating in Walnut Grove and around campus, as the Raider Walk returns with the Band of Blue accompanying Rick Stockstill's team as they march toward Floyd Stadium ahead of kickoff. Tailgating was temporarily suspended due to capacity restrictions during the 2020 season.
Finally, to celebrate the return of fans to a full capacity Floyd Stadium, MT will have a post-game fireworks show following the season opener vs. Monmouth on September 4. The 6 p.m. kickoff will give Blue Raider fans the opportunity to celebrate the return of all of these MT Football traditions with a spectacular finale to open the season!
Season ticket packages as well as single game tickets are still available to those wishing to enjoy all of the game day traditions of Blue Raider football. Fans can order online at GoBlueRaiders.com/tickets or by calling the ticket office at 615-898-5261.
After operating with a capacity of only 7,000 fans during the 2020 season, Middle Tennessee is excited to welcome full capacity crowds to Floyd Stadium, with no mask requirements, and bring back the fan amenities that were absent in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We're extremely excited to welcome back our fans to Floyd Stadium," Director of Athletics Chris Massaro said. "Fans can enjoy the return of game day traditions both before and after kickoff, there are more reasons than ever to cheer on the Blue Raiders this fall. I know our players and coaches are ecstatic to run out on the field before a full house of loud and proud Blue Raiders."
Back in the south end zone, Middle Tennessee will once again partner with Hop Springs Beer Park and Steel Barrel Brewery for the return of the Blue Raider Beer Garden. First introduced in the 2019 season, the Blue Raider Beer Garden features Steel Barrel Brewery craft beers for purchase, as well as grilled food for fans to enjoy underneath the umbrellas and tables in the endzone alongside games like corn hole and giant jenga.
MTSU will partner once again with Hop Springs to craft unique small-batch beers, themed to each week's opponent.
The Beer Garden opens with the gates to the stadium and will serve through the end of the third quarter. Entrance is free to fans 21 and up with their admission ticket to the game.
Also returning after a successful 2019 debut is the Family Fun Zone, located behind Sections 1A-3A. Featuring inflatables, face painting, balloon animals and various carnival games throughout the season, the Family Fun Zone will also serve as the check-in for the Blue Raider Kids' Club.
New to the Family Fun Zone this season will be the inclusion of stations serving MTSU Creamery chocolate milk, a long-beloved cafeteria tradition for generations of Blue Raiders now made available inside of Floyd Stadium for the very first time.
Made available for retail sale for the first time in over 50 years in the summer of 2017, MTSU Creamery partners with the School of Agribusiness and Agriscience to produce the legendary milk and provide opportunities for the university's Experiential Learning and Research Center, based in Lascassas, where students work seven days a week in the milk's production process.
The Blue Raiders are also excited to welcome families to full tailgating in Walnut Grove and around campus, as the Raider Walk returns with the Band of Blue accompanying Rick Stockstill's team as they march toward Floyd Stadium ahead of kickoff. Tailgating was temporarily suspended due to capacity restrictions during the 2020 season.
Finally, to celebrate the return of fans to a full capacity Floyd Stadium, MT will have a post-game fireworks show following the season opener vs. Monmouth on September 4. The 6 p.m. kickoff will give Blue Raider fans the opportunity to celebrate the return of all of these MT Football traditions with a spectacular finale to open the season!
Season ticket packages as well as single game tickets are still available to those wishing to enjoy all of the game day traditions of Blue Raider football. Fans can order online at GoBlueRaiders.com/tickets or by calling the ticket office at 615-898-5261.
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