| There are 7 days a year that I absolutely love. | | | | most important items are the basic: chairs, grill, |
| Those are the seven home games that Penn | | | | coolers, food, and beverages. I have a PSU Chair |
| State plays football in State College, PA. I've been | | | | that I've had forever that I bring to everygame, |
| going to these games since I was in college, and | | | | and I use it extensive before and after games. |
| its just been a routine for me and my family for | | | | We have about a 2 hour drive to State College, |
| many years. I try not to miss a game if possible. | | | | so we usually leave about 6-7 hours before |
| Going to a game in Happy Valley is special. The | | | | kick-off. |
| atmosphere is as good as it gets in college | | | | We've had the same parking spot in State College |
| football. State College, PA is right in the center of | | | | for many years, and it's where we tailgate with |
| the state of Pennsylvania, and as you descend | | | | our fellow PSU fans. We like to get there early |
| into town, it feels like everyone in the state is | | | | set up the grill, tables, chairs, and some games |
| arriving there with you. You certainly feel that | | | | (we love to play corn hole). Luckily, we have |
| way when you arrive in the parking lots and see | | | | fellow tailgaters with a portable satellite dish and |
| the RVs and tailgaters as far as the eye can see. | | | | TVs so that we can watch all the afternoon |
| My routine starts early in the morning as I get | | | | college football action (especially Big 10 games) |
| myself and my family dressed in PSU apparel. For | | | | while preparing for the big game. |
| me, I never attend PSU football games without | | | | The most important part of tailgating is socializing |
| wearing my luck Penn State jersey. Since I like to | | | | with friends, but food preparation and |
| sit in or near the student section, and they have | | | | consumption is important as well. We fire up the |
| a tradition of wearing white for the Penn State | | | | grill early and keep it going all day. Usually multiple |
| "White Out" effect, I have a white Penn State | | | | types of meat get thrown on, personally I like |
| football jersey. My wife has a Penn State ladies | | | | any type of red meat to go with my adult |
| jersey and my kids have Penn State youth | | | | beverage during tailgating. Don't forget to have |
| jerseys. | | | | plenty of ice and mixers. |
| However the gear doesn't stop with jerseys, as | | | | Tailgating is fun, but I always remind everyone |
| there is plenty more. If it's cold, we may layer up | | | | that the main reason we are there is for the |
| with a Penn State sweatshirt as well. A fleece | | | | game. I like to be in Beaver Stadium 20 minutes |
| one is perfect if it's a cold late in the season | | | | before kick-off. This allows me to soak in all the |
| game. White, blue, or gray Penn State sweatshirts | | | | pre-game festivities, like the teams running out on |
| are fine too, I have all of them in my wardrobe. | | | | the field, Joe Paterno's entrance, and the incredible |
| My family and I also have PSU hats, t-shirts, and | | | | sound of 100,000 fans screaming "Let's Go....Penn |
| jackets, so whatever PSU gear is needed for that | | | | State". |
| day's condition, we have. | | | | These are my favorite 7 days of the year. |
| Next, we load up the car with tailgating gear. The | | | | |
