Are You Ready? Take A Chandelier Tour Of The Grove

Who could resist the chance to share a little Ole Miss victory? Time to show off tailgating in all its glory.

The natural starting point is a stroll down the Walk of Champions, where fans pose for photos at the arched entrance.

Sauntering just a few steps toward Grove Center, an impassioned Rebel fan’s centerpiece came into full view: The Zebra Tent.

For Homecoming 2016, The Zebra Tent went all out in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness and raised money for Susan B Komen Fund.

Eye-catching in The Grove, this iconic tent serves as a veritable compass for those trying to find their way through the endless sea of traditional Ole Miss colors.

You can hear fans giving directions: “Go down the Walk of Champions…no, away from the Union. When you see The Zebra Tent, turn left and we’re straight ahead.” Or… “Never mind, just meet me at the Zebra tent and show me where we’re set up!”

Everyone echoed the same sentiment: If The Zebra Tent moved, people would be lost. Plain and simple.

For Homecoming 2016, The Zebra Tent went all out in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness and raised money for Susan B Komen Fund. Four hostesses sported pink Ole Miss jerseys, and the fundraiser was complete with a Pinterest-worthy buffet. Utterly delightful would be the best description, nearly too beautiful to sample. Hungry fans left a lot more than crumbs behind by donating generously to the cause.

Pink palm tree centerpiece creatively formed with stacked pink pineapples and elaborate fluffy pink and fuschia feathers.

The majority of the ladies of the Grove parade in their dresses as if in a fashion show. In coming weeks, footwear will showcase every style of boots imaginable.

“There must be a store in town that sells those shoes all the girls are wearing!” said a tourist when she noticed the very high wedge style due to warm, early fall weather.

Ole Miss Landshark Defense inspires more shark decor this season.

Since the Rebels are winning, tailgating popularity has soared. Tents squeeze into every inch of the 10-acre campus centerpiece. Traditional Harvard Crimson, Yale Blue, plus accents of new powder blue show up everywhere, from necklaces to suits. And sharks, sharks everywhere. “Fins Up!” denoting Ole Miss’ infamous Landshark defense.

Nearly every tent contained one or more of what seem to be essential tailgating elements: fresh flowers, designer-look fabric tablecloths, spectacular buffets, televisions and generators which “wow!” even the most poised tourists. But the piece de resistance — astonishing and awe-inspiring — are the chandeliers.

“Those are just over the top!” exclaimed the novice.

Precisely. That is what sets Ole Miss party tents apart from all other schools. The chandelier styles vary from simple color-coordinated elegance…

Ornately bedazzled chandeliers…

Tear-drop jewel-adorned and candle-filled chandeliers…

Even a curious conglomeration of opposing team mascots on one chandelier…

Or crowd favorite – artfully displayed, utterly whimsical, yet distinctly practical.

Chandeliers are truly symbolic of over the top tailgating, perfected at Ole Miss. And the newcomer can return home to testify it’s true… it’s better in The Grove.

Debbie Nelson is a freelance writer and photographer. She can be reached at debnelsoninfo@gmail.com.