Tailgating in the Grove

vansprinkle · Thu Oct 04, 2012 11:05 am

So, we are getting ready to make our trip up to Oxford and I have some questions for y'all:

1) In College Station, when we tailgate, it isn't an issue to leave our stuff out while we are at the game (people leave generators, tv's, etc and I've never heard of items being stolen). Will there be an issue if we leave our coolers, chairs, tents, etc? Will we return to an empty spot?

2) Is there a particular place in the Grove that we should set up our tailgate? Or should we just bring portable coolers and walk around the entire time?

3) No visible alcohol, solo cups are our friends. :check:

4) Are there any "must see" things that go on around campus before/after the game? I like how y'alls players walk through the tailgates in a single file line. I'll try and watch that from a distance, as I'm sure the crowd around them will be hectic and full of people that love the players, whereas I would just like to see the walk through.

Anything I am missing? Any other do's or don'ts?

CMB · Thu Oct 04, 2012 11:23 am

I have never heard (or had an issue myself) with leaving things out. However, make sure any cooler with alcohol (particularly beer) is not in sight while you are not there and that is is locked. I am assuming this rule is still in place for the Grove - that beer is not allowed (except in solo cups) but liquor is and that coolers must be locked.....

The walk through normally takes place about 2.5 - 2 hours before kickoff......you will see people lining up the Walk Of Champions about 3 hours before kickoff (if not earlier). The team buses will pull up, the team gets off and walks through to the stadium.....that is something that you would not want to miss...even as as opposing team fan

As far as setting up in the Grove....that may or may not happen unless you are there Friday night when they open it up to set tents up. The Grove is usually tightly packed so if you get in you get in and if you dont you dont. As with everywhere else, people have their "spots" that they tailgate in (just like your church pew on Sundays!) but it is really a free for all. If you cannot get in the Grove, there are PLENTY of other areas you can setup and most are right off of the Grove so you will still be able to wander around the Grove if you wanted to.

DO walk around the Grove....I promise that you will be offered food, drinks, etc from various tents....you may encounter a little ribbing but if you are a good sport, it's all good and you will be welcomed....and can even dish some back out.

DON'T walk around with a beer can in your hand (you addressed this already, though) - keep it in a cup

DON'T act like the majority of Alabama and LSU fans and try to start fights with everybody in the Grove (joking....but seriously...)

Nothing else I can think of at the moment unless you wanted to know things about the town

fletch711 · Thu Oct 04, 2012 11:56 am

What CMB said.

vansprinkle · Thu Oct 04, 2012 12:10 pm

DON'T act like the majority of Alabama and LSU fans and try to start fights with everybody in the Grove (joking....but seriously...)

But from what I've been told and witnessed, LSU fans don't want to start a fight with you, they want you to start a fight with them.

A big question I just thought of, are grills okay? Propane? We have a small one we use when doing small tailgates and will bring in big grills for big games. Since we are traveling 10 hrs, I'll probably just pack the small one if it is allowed.

1OLEMISSREBEL · Thu Oct 04, 2012 12:11 pm

If you set up somewhere...if you do not make it to the grove...do not leave your stuff unattended!! People will take your stuff....chairs, coolers, anything not nailed down. MY family has tailgated away from the grove for years and for the last 2-3 years we have had to pack up chairs, coolers etc before going to the game, because we got tired of coming back and finding our stuff gone.

CMB · Thu Oct 04, 2012 12:18 pm

no open flames in the Grove

you wouldn't want to be known as the guy that burned down the trees in the Grove (see: Harvey Upd yke) -- joking again...but seriously.. (space in his last name due to censoring)

About the LSU fans...you hit the nail on the head. They provoke, you react.....you started the fight. Bingo

Thu Oct 04, 2012 12:18 pm

Males do not wear shirts in the Grove, but bring one for the game, or you'll look stupid.

vansprinkle · Thu Oct 04, 2012 12:58 pm

Males do not wear shirts in the Grove, but bring one for the game, or you'll look stupid.

So, just a bunch of bare chested dudes walking around bro'ing up on eachother?

And thanks for all the info. I found a pretty good write up from one of your own here: http://texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp? ... forum_id=5

Thu Oct 04, 2012 1:30 pm

vansprinkle wrote:
Males do not wear shirts in the Grove, but bring one for the game, or you'll look stupid.
So, just a bunch of bare chested dudes walking around bro'ing up on eachother?

And thanks for all the info. I found a pretty good write up from one of your own here: http://texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp? ... forum_id=5

Have a great and safe visit. I dont think you will regret this trip. Hotty Toddy. Oh yeah. Temp will drop into the 40's by end of game.

CMB · Thu Oct 04, 2012 1:32 pm

one more thing....be sure to wear navy!

vansprinkle · Thu Oct 04, 2012 3:06 pm

A question my brother just brought up... What time to the bars close in Oxford? We'll get in around 11-12p tomorrow night and will want a drink when we arrive.

Titles 'R Us · Thu Oct 04, 2012 3:19 pm

CMB wrote: DON'T act like the majority of Alabama and LSU fans and try to start fights with everybody in the Grove (joking....but seriously...)

The above is important. You Aggie fans are the 2012 freshmen in a league of charter member seniors dating back to 1932, the year the SEC was formed. Be good sports, and you'll do fine in The Grove. There's truly nothing like it.

P.S. And there is a difference between The Grove and Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The games are played in VHS, the partying goes on in The Grove. Makes me cringe when I hear one of those six-figure 'sports pretty boy' announcers say things like, "Ole Miss plays A & M in The Grove this weekend and yada, yada, yada!"

AtlantaRebels · Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:24 pm

Avoid the hill people... You'll see a group of them widdling and blowing in jugs... Don't want to start trouble with them if at all possible. Here's a picture of one of them

CMB · Fri Oct 05, 2012 8:43 am

AtlantaRebels wrote:Avoid the hill people... You'll see a group of them widdling and blowing in jugs... Don't want to start trouble with them if at all possible. Here's a picture of one of them

I thought "the hill" people were at Arkansas???

Fri Oct 05, 2012 8:44 am

CMB wrote:
AtlantaRebels wrote:Avoid the hill people... You'll see a group of them widdling and blowing in jugs... Don't want to start trouble with them if at all possible. Here's a picture of one of them

I thought "the hill" people were at Arkansas???

They are curently in Oxford beggin for Nutt to come back home.