There are 7 days annually which i totally love. Those are the 7 home games which Penn State plays football in State College, Pennsylvania. I have been going to these games since I was attending college, and its just been the program for me and my family for many years. I do not miss a game if possible.
Going to a game in Happy Valley is actually special. The environment is as good as it will get in college football. State College, Pa is actually in the actual center of the state of Pennsylvania, and because you descend into the city, it feels like everybody in the state is arriving there with you. You feel that way whenever you appear in the parking lots and see the RVs and tailgaters as far as the eye can see.
My routine gets going early in the morning as I get myself and my loved ones dressed in Penn State apparel. For me, I never go to PSU football games without wearing my good fortune Penn State jersey. Because I like to sit down in or close to the college student area, and they have a custom of putting on white for the Penn State “White Out” effect, I have a white Penn State football jersey. My wife has a Penn State ladies jersey and my kids have Penn State youth jerseys.
However the equipment doesn't stop with jerseys, as there is a lot more. If it's chilly, we might layer up with a Penn State sweatshirt too. A fleece one is ideal in the event that it is a cold late in the season game. White, blue, or gray Penn State sweatshirts tend to be good too, I have got them all in my wardrobe. My family and I also have PSU caps, t-shirts, and overcoats, therefore what ever Penn State gear is required for that day’s situation, we now have.
Next, we load up the car with tailgating gear. The most important items would be the fundamental: chairs, barbeque grill, coolers, food, and beverages. I have a Penn State Chair which I’ve had forever which i bring to every game, and I personally use it extensive prior to and after games. We now have about a two hour drive to State College, therefore all of us generally depart about 6-7 hours prior to kick-off.
We’ve experienced the same car parking spot within State College for several years, and it is where all of us tail gate with our other Penn State fans. All of us prefer to get there early to set up the actual grill, tables, chairs, and some games (we love to play corn hole). Fortunately, we now have other tailgaters with a portable satellite television dish and Tvs to ensure that we can watch all of the morning college football action (particularly Big 10 games) whilst preparing for that big game.
The most important part of tailgating is actually mingling with close friends, however food preparation and consumption is important too. All of us fire up the barbeque grill early and ensure that it stays going all day long. Generally several kinds of meats get tossed on, personally I love any type of steak to go with my adult beverage during tailgating. Don’t forget to have plenty of ice and mixers.
Tailgating is actually fun, however I always help remind everybody that the key reason we're there is for the game. I like to be in Beaver Stadium twenty minutes before kick-off. This enables me to soak in all the pre-game festivities, like the teams running out on the field, Joe Paterno’s entrance, and the incredible sound of 100,000 fans screaming “Let’s Go….Penn State”.
These are my personal favorite 7 days of the year.
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