The Mississippi Bicentennial North Celebration concert slated for June 24 on the Ole Miss campus can now entertain a much larger crowd.

Originally slated as an indoor concert at the Ford Center on campus, organizers with the state have worked with the university to move the state’s Bicentennial North Celebration concert to a much larger venue — outdoors at the Grove stage at Ole Miss.

Now, we have a big summer picnic for Oxford and Ole Miss and couldn’t be happier.

It’s true that seating at the Ford Center is premium, providing great sound, viewing and comfort for its events so we will miss that. But only a limited number of people could see the concert indoors.

With a lineup of Mississippians including Marty Stuart, Mac McAnally, Steve Azar and Shannon McNally, at a time there’s not much else going on, attendance demand is higher than Ford Center could accommodate. Plus, the outside atmosphere in the tree-sprawling Grove has much to offer.

By encouraging guests to sit on blankets or chairs and bring picnics, organizers are creating an event that very much makes Mississippi’s Bicentennial North Celebration one that speaks well to our heritage.

We are a social state that enjoys fellowship, music and food. The Grove is Ole Miss is a perfect venue for that.