College football season has officially begun, and tailgating is a huge part of the festivities. Fans gather hours before the game in parking lots to grill, eat, play games, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Wes and Lisa Welborn of Anderson are fifth-generation Tiger football fans at Clemson.
In recent years, their group has grown to 20 people so the family purchased a used school bus to accommodate the new additions. The bus seats 13 people, including the driver, and has room for a car seat.
"We got to a point where we needed something larger to transport everything," Wes Welborn said.
The Welborn family bus is wrapped in a Clemson Tiger design and painted orange, white, and purple. The inside is decked out with a flat-screen television and generator for electricity. "It's worked out perfectly," Welborn said.
"All the stuff fits perfectly in the back," added Lisa Welborn.
"We started tailgating once we had our own family," Wes said. "We were blessed with a perfect parking spot we have held for around 20 years. (Grandfather) passed them down to my father, who passed it down to me.
"We enjoy going every time," he said. "It's our big family gathering. We're blessed with a perfect parking spot. It's a lot of work, but it's teamwork."
The Welborns said they try to change up what they bring for tailgating every week. The food menu can include hamburgers and hotdogs, or even breakfast options like burritos, variations of chicken fingers or chicken nuggets, chili and soups in a crockpot, pasta, homemade snacks like Chex Mix, and a cookie cake for dessert with Clemson logos.
There are also drinks to stay hydrated, two 10x20 tents, tables for display items, cornhole games for the grandkids, and string lights for night games.
The couple plans a week ahead for their tailgate, determining who will be there and who's bringing what.
"My favorite is breakfast," Wes said. "She makes a killer burrito," referring to his wife.
So what time do they get to the game? It depends on the start time.
"If it's a 12 o'clock game, we try to get there by 7:30," Wes said. "If it's a 3:30 game, we try to get there by 10:30 or 11. If it's a night game, we don't get there until about 1 p.m."
Lisa recommends getting to the tailgate early. "Get there before Tiger Walk starts, or you'll be stopped in traffic," she said.
When does tailgating and the Tiger Walk start?
Tailgating at Memorial Stadium begins at 6 a.m. The traditional Tiger Walk starts two hours before game time in the P-3 parking lot. The Tiger Band also plays a brief concert before kickoff, according to Jason Wilson, associate director of the "I Pay Ten Dollars A Year" program at Clemson University .
"I have been tailgating all my life," said Anderson native Dr. Vicki Tatum, 60, owner of Tatum Dental in Charleston. She mentioned how she still remembers participating in cardboard box races on the green grass hills along Memorial Stadium. "It's not just about the game," she said.
More: Planning on tailgating with friends, family this weekend? Tips for a safe, fun experience
The pre-game festivities are "about the community and traditions like cooking, socializing, and attending the Tiger Walk," said Tim Bourret, Clemson's former sports information director.
"Head Coach Dabo Swinney, who became Clemson's interim head coach in October 2008, came up with the idea of the Tiger Walk," he said, getting the idea "from when he was a football student-athlete at Alabama between 1989 and 1992. The Crimson Tide arrived on Bryant Drive at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and thousands of Alabama fans were there to greet the team."
Swinney recreated the idea at Clemson, with the Tiger Walk quickly becoming a cherished tradition. Fans gather along the path to Memorial Stadium to cheer on the football team before the game.
As a Clemson fan, Vicki Tatum, her husband Rob, and their friends always make it a point to watch the Tiger Walk and the band. "The Tiger Walk adds excitement for fans, family, and friends by allowing them to connect with football players," she said. "It's also a great opportunity to see familiar faces, enjoy good food, tailgate, and watch the Tigers play."
Tatum also has advice for newcomers to Clemson tailgating. "Come early and know where you will park," she said. "Walk around and enjoy the fun once you know where to park."
Tatum suggested mingling with fellow fans, playing games, and trying different foods to soak in the camaraderie and spirit of the event.
Guidelines for Clemson University tailgating
"When tailgating, guests are required to adhere to specific rules and regulations," Wilson said. "However, at Clemson University, we aim to keep rules relatively lenient to ensure people can have a good time."
Here are driving and tailgating guidelines set by Clemson University Athletics .
- Follow the instructions of all parking attendants. Park as directed to ensure efficient space use. Saving parking spaces is not permitted.
- Trailers, cookers, and overall vehicle sizes cannot exceed spaces wider than nine feet and longer than 23 feet. Any vehicle or tailgating items beyond these spaces will be prohibited without an additional parking pass for that same lot.
- Golf carts, mopeds, motorcycles, and scooters are discouraged inside the interiors of Clemson’s parking areas.
- Tailgating tents are allowed. However, they must be confined to your designated parking space. Please ensure your tent is secure and will not damage vehicles or injure pedestrians in inclement weather.
- Large tailgating groups that prevent the normal flow of pedestrians or vehicles are prohibited. Bands, large speakers, or public address equipment are not allowed. Personal portable restrooms are not allowed. Please use all restroom facilities (permanent or otherwise) that Clemson Athletics provides.
- Solicitations of any kind are prohibited. Items will be confiscated, and you will be removed from campus.
- Portable generators are allowed as long as they are rated at 70dB or lower so as not to disturb other tailgaters.
- Banners, signage, and product sampling for advertising are not permitted without prior approval from the Clemson University Athletics Department.
How do you get Clemson Tiger football tickets, parking?
The best way to obtain Clemson gameday tickets is to head over to the Clemson Athletics tickets homepage , powered by Ticketmaster. The platform allows you to browse available ticket options, purchase seats, view ticket policy, and view parking information.
In addition, you can also find special promotions and discounted rates for single games, multiple games, group packages, or season tickets. Check the website regularly for any updates or new ticket information.
According to the Clemson Athletics Department, free accessible parking for home football games is in parking lot E-6 (behind Sikes Hall), along Parkway Drive and Cherry Road. Upon entering the lot, a uniformed officer will verify that you have a valid, state-issued handicap placard or license tag that is appropriately displayed and will give you blue wristbands that will allow you to use the accessible shuttle service to access the stadium.
Single-game parking may be available for purchase based on availability before game day. Contact Clemson Athletics at 1-800-CLEMSON to inquire about single-game parking availability. Visit Clemson’s online ticket page to purchase a ticket.
What to know about parking for tailgaters with RVs
Clemson University recommends Tiger fans with an RV who don't have stadium parking access park at the Clemson RV Park at The Grove. The park is four miles from Memorial Stadium and offers accommodations for game day including electrical hookups, water, and sewer services.
Clemson University football traffic policies
"Before you go tailgating this football season, there are a few things to keep in mind," Wilson said. "The biggest problem we faced was post-game traffic. Clemson Athletics has developed policies based on a thorough traffic study conducted by the civil engineering department to improve pregame and postgame traffic."
These practices will continue during the 2024 football season.
"Before and after the game, a bus or shuttle lane will be created from Clemson Beach Parking to Perimeter Road," according to the Clemson Athletic Department. "After the game, traffic will flow in contraflow in all four lanes on Highway 93 from Perimeter Road eastbound through campus to Highway 76."
"College Avenue will also be closed to through traffic from the downtown junction near Bowman Field to Highway 123. However, cars can still leave the garage and street parking to head north on Highway 123."
Restaurants, bars near Memorial Stadium
Tailgating at a local bar can be an event of its own.
The Esso Club in Clemson, located at 129 Old Greenville Highway, is one of the oldest and most iconic sports bars in the United States, according to ESPN staff reporter David Hale.
"The Essco Club opened in 1933 as a dilapidated gas station that has evolved into a game-day headquarters in Clemson," he said. The gas station is gone today, and the menu now includes all types of traditional pub fare. Other Clemson Tiger gameday bars include Tiger Town Tavern and the Sloan Street Tap Room.
Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a place to enjoy the football game , there are plenty of restaurant options near Memorial Stadium, including TD’s of Clemson and Nick’s Tavern & Deli . Both eateries offer a variety of American food, such as salads, lunch specials, and appetizers, and drink options like craft beer and traditional wine and liquor.
Nick's Taverns Deli is one of the oldest bars in Clemson.
If you prefer a more modern eatery, the Pendleton Bojangles, located at 7610 US-76 Highway , offers a classic take on Southern fast food, such as chicken, biscuits, dirty rice, pies, and sweet tea. They're also known for their 12-piece super tailgating box, which includes 12 pieces of seasoned chicken, three picnic fixings, six made-from-scratch biscuits, and a half-gallon of iced tea.
"Tailgating is a culture and a way of life in South Carolina, especially in the Clemson area," said Patrick Sheline, vice president of operations for Bojangles in Western North Carolina. "I have never seen fans as passionate as those who love the Tigers and Bojangles. It is simply a part of their lives. Our stores in the area see great traffic and volume on game days."
"We do tailgating on game days using three different systems," Sheline said. "You can use DoorDash for delivery, stop by the store to pick up your order or call ahead, and we'll have your order ready. Additionally, we have a staff member in the dining room who brings pre-ordered tailgates to customers outside. We are well-prepared for the high volume of orders on game days."
What to know about Clemson Tigers football team
The 14th-ranked Clemson's Tigers regular season schedule includes seven home games.
According to the Clemson University Athletic Department , after suffering a 34-3 loss to the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs in week one, the Tigers will face Appalachian State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Tigers are 98-17-8 in home games, including 5-0 against Appalachian State.
Here are the Clemson Tigers 2024 home football schedule:
Clemson's University football 2024 schedule includes games against North Carolina State on September 21, Stanford on September 28, Virginia on October 19, Louisville on November 2, the Citadel on November 23, and the South Carolina Gamecocks on November 30.
Photographer Ken Ruinard contributed to this article
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Expert tailgaters share everything you need to know about pre-game fun for Clemson fans
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