Rules for tailgating at penn state?
I have tried to read up on tailgating rules in Happy Valley, and am trying to be a good guest by following them. All the while trying to prove my family wrong with the thought that me and my friends will get arrested sometime during our visit. We are taking a RV and getting there friday night and I've been told they are a bit more lienent with the RV folks. We are also bringing a keg as it would be a cheaper and easier way to keep beer around. But I am still left with a few questions that I cannot find the answers to online...
1. Do they allow propane fire pits?
2. Do they allow kegs if you are in the RV area?
If you have any extra advice you can fill me in with it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
October 17th, 2010 at 7:56 PM ^
1) Propane grills are OK, charcoal are not; Have not heard anything specific on firepits, but would imagine they may be OK.
2) Kegs are a no-no. I suppose if you kept it in the RV, it may not be an issue, but you'd do so at your own peril.
If you go away from the keg, note that bottles are not permitted in grass parking areas (which the RV lot was, as long as I can remember). If you want to play it safe - cans.
Have fun!
October 17th, 2010 at 7:58 PM ^
No keg in the tailgate area? If we kept it in the RV I don't know how they would or could bust us...
October 17th, 2010 at 9:24 PM ^
would probably give it away. Worth trying, if you want.
October 18th, 2010 at 10:21 AM ^
I see a bar stool...No Keg here.
October 17th, 2010 at 8:02 PM ^
You are awesome for asking this. We are going to the game as well and I'm trying to make sure we make the most of this. I do not even know where a good area to park is, looking for something equivalent to the golf course. Where your seats at?
P.S. My friends think I'm going to end up arrested as well at this game. I've told them my goal is to be banned from Happy Valley, of course while not embarssing the maize and blue.
October 17th, 2010 at 9:36 PM ^
Agreed. Will be there.
Where is everyone going to be?
October 17th, 2010 at 10:08 PM ^
Can't wait! I wish we were leaving tomorrow...
October 17th, 2010 at 8:09 PM ^
either way here is the parking map... http://www.gopsusports.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/psu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/stadium-parking-2010-052410
Post if u have any questions...
we have 8 seats together only 6 going so I have to unload 2 tickets... But we are in section NK 4 tix in row 40 and 4 tix directly behind in rown 41
October 17th, 2010 at 9:46 PM ^
if you have not unloaded them yet. Post right beneath this message if you are interested.
Thanks
October 17th, 2010 at 10:10 PM ^
email me at [email protected] and we can discuss details
October 17th, 2010 at 8:11 PM ^
I imagine you want to have fun and all, but Michigan and Penn State are two very respectable programs. The PSU fans have always been the nicest in the Big Ten (in my opinion, and remember I said fans not frat boys attending the game)
but seriously stay classy for the Maize and Blue.
October 17th, 2010 at 9:53 PM ^
to every M-PSU game in State College since the series started in 1993. Fans were respectable until 2006. We have been verbally abused pretty good both in 2006 & 2008. Some PSU students have even verbally taunted my kids. We have something special planned for them this year if that happens.
October 17th, 2010 at 11:59 PM ^
I hope that special thing you're planning won't potentially get you in jail.
Seriously though, I have a hunch that PSU's poor season will damper their fans' enthusiasm.
October 17th, 2010 at 8:12 PM ^
ASS. You can never have to much ASS
October 17th, 2010 at 8:12 PM ^
Two of us are making the trip as well. We've neglected to make hotel reservations, so this may end up with us making the six hour trip back starting at midnight or sleeping on a park bench in Happy Valley.
October 17th, 2010 at 9:44 PM ^
about 40 minutes away to the south. They have a Ramada there and a Comfort Inn as well.
October 17th, 2010 at 8:21 PM ^
my post... I was asking RV specific questions... I have read all of those sites already and they don't answer my questions... Nice way to try to be smart
October 17th, 2010 at 8:25 PM ^
Oh yeah, finding a hotel will be tough. We had to get one in Lamar, which is 30 minutes away from State College, and we looked back in August. Our seats are in section NKU, row 91, but I got them thru Mgoblue so we only paid face value.
I don't plan on getting in any fights or being obvnoxious with any PSU fans, I have no hatred towards them. They can just see me getting drunk and falling down the stairs and then getting arrested for passing out on the steps of an academic building. I will be curtious and respectful.
October 17th, 2010 at 9:25 PM ^
Just rent a utility/molester van from the local Uhaul, throw an air mattress in the back, and park on a neighborhood street. Then you can get shithoused and stumble back to the van at 3 a.m. Keep in mind it's Halloween weekend, so you will indeed be shithoused.
Return the van the next day, good to go. $30 beats $130 for a hotel 30 miles away
October 17th, 2010 at 9:29 PM ^
ooooh, too late, and it was 180 a night for a comfort inn, they know whats going on that weekend.
October 17th, 2010 at 9:38 PM ^
I might need to try this plan farfetched as it may sound, and bring an ungodly number of blankets. Probably should reserve the van soon before other Mgobloggers see this idea. Have you actually done this before?
October 17th, 2010 at 10:09 PM ^
After striking out with all the local hotels I reserved a van, but then a friend of a friend came through with a place to stay so I cancelled my reservation. I was all prepared to do it, though - if you rent locally and don't drive much it's pretty cheap for the rental.
October 17th, 2010 at 8:36 PM ^
Leave early, very very very early. Then after you've set the time you feel like you should leave, give yourself at least 2 more hours.
In fact since you have an RV, look into arriving Friday night.
October 17th, 2010 at 11:32 PM ^
This is very good advice. There aren't any major highways going into State College. Trying to drive after the game is almost impossible.
Also, there is no "open container" law, so if you don't have a beer in your hand, they will make fun of you.
October 18th, 2010 at 8:16 AM ^
The traffic is pretty bad (a remote location with 100k people does that), but ever since I-99 was finally completed, things have been quite a bit better.
October 17th, 2010 at 11:58 PM ^
I'm making my first trip to state college for this one. Considering that I only have a charcoal grill, where would you recommend eating pre-game? I'd prefer somewhere that is both delicious and not filled with d-bags.
October 18th, 2010 at 12:20 AM ^
Penn State just doesn't seem to be ok with wood burners
October 18th, 2010 at 12:57 AM ^
I've been to Penn State six times for games (Michigan: '97, '99, '01, '06, and going this year; Iowa: '07, '09). For the past three years, we've parked/tailgated at a PSU lot just west of the intersection of E. Park Avenue and Orchard Road (just north of the stadium, Bing or Google it). It's a big grassy lot, perfect for tailgating, and easy enough walk into town to spend some pre-game time at the Rathskeller (108 S. Pugh Street in S.C. http://site.theskeller.com/). The E. Park Ave./Orchard lot is good if you're coming in to State College from the north. That's where we'll be.
As for kegs - haven't seen them for years at the general tailgates, not sure about the RVs. Firepit/Charcoal - it's done but officially against the rules, we bring a propane grill.
October 18th, 2010 at 12:53 AM ^
I am looking into getting tickets for the game, but stubhub has not come down as fast as I thought with the way their season is going. I have never been to State College and we canceled our hotel reservations in Altoona as we weren't sure if we were going to go. We were planning on parking somewhere and getting a few hours sleep and taking off, but I can only hope we could find a empty street with non-party goers. Any info on tickets, parking and whatever else would be appreciated.
October 18th, 2010 at 1:03 AM ^
BYOB: Bring your own BRAINS.
October 18th, 2010 at 10:08 AM ^
There are 8 of us going to this game. We also rented an RV. We found an RV camping area about 15 min from the stadium. It has full showers and electric hookups. We are leaving Friday night and are also looking for RV parking/tailgating for the game. Obviously we would like to tailgate with as many Mich fans as possible. Since the game is a night game I am assuming/hoping if we get to the stadium early enough we shouldn’t have an issue finding a place. If people are interested in trying to group up that would be cool too. The more allies the better
October 26th, 2010 at 2:40 PM ^
I have never tailgated at Penn State before, but it seems like a fun place to do just that. I'm sure I speek for many of us when I say there's really nothing I'd prefer to do on a crisp fall day then bringing over a mini fridge filled with food and drinks and enjoying some football on the tube before a big game.
October 26th, 2010 at 8:48 PM ^
where they're tailgating? Would be cool to group up w/some more Michigan fans!
October 27th, 2010 at 12:38 PM ^
10 of us will be in the yellow lot. We have an RV.. and plan on tailgating from 9am on.
October 27th, 2010 at 12:56 PM ^
Do you know which yellow lot? I'll have a yellow lot pass myself. Not sure if I'll get there at 9am but plan to leave DC around 8 which should put me there by 11:30 or so.
October 28th, 2010 at 3:02 PM ^
It is the RV yellow lot, but it looks like they have the car lot right next to it. My email is [email protected] (Name Stu) email me i should get it on my BB and ill send you my number.
October 27th, 2010 at 10:19 AM ^
I'm driving up solo from DC Saturday morning and looking to tailgate. I know the alumni assoc has one but that doesn't start until 5. If anyone has room for 1 more Michigan alum it'd be greatly appreciated. I can chip in and provide additional food/beverage as well. Respond here or email me at [email protected]
October 27th, 2010 at 2:27 PM ^
where I'm going to be, but feel free to E-Mail me at Jaydawg210@aol. I'll be with about 6 other guys. We're all in our mid 20's. Some PSU fans, and some Michigan fans. We'll have a girll,beer, and will be playing bag toss all day. Will be a fun time.
October 30th, 2010 at 2:24 PM ^
We'll have a girll...Will be a fun time.Best or worst typo ever? Discuss.
October 27th, 2010 at 7:19 PM ^
Regarding places to stay: Check craigslist and apartment/house rentals. There are many people who rent out their houses/basements/vacation homes for the weekend exclusively for visiting football fans. Haven't seen this trend anywhere else but it's pretty popular here.
Places to eat? This ain't Ann Arbor, that's for sure. Pretty middle of the road stuff here. There is a Damon's "close" to the stadium (about as far as the Big House is to Colonial lanes on S. Industrial) the other downtown stuff is a little further. I would go somewhere on N/S Atherton to eat. One of my favorite spots that has some decent food is the Ale House at Toftree's golf course (not on Atherton). No rowdy herds of undergrads here. Up the road there is also a bus that provides shuttle service to the games. If you can find a space you can park on the side of the road for free and hop on the shuttle. Here's a link for the Ale house and Shuttle service respectively:
http://www.americanalehouse.net/
http://www.transportation.psu.edu/footballexpress/
Fans? Yeah, they can be a little "rough" but not as bad as OSU fans in Colombus. There was an incident last year of PSU fans throwing full cans of beer at OSU fans but this seemed to be an interfraternity issue. Always good to have a smartphone handy to capture things should they get out of hand. In general, you'll get verbal taunts (Ann Arbor is a w**** type stuff, that's about it though).
Other alcohol rules: No drinking during the game (including in the stadium of course) but also out in the tailgate areas. They're pretty strict on this stuff. An RV may be more difficult to regulate, however.
They're nervous here and I love it.
Enjoy your time here and of course, GO BLUE!!!
October 28th, 2010 at 3:49 PM ^
October 30th, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^
Coming up with my brother, Dad and Stepmom From VA. Got some beer and random food, Let me know if you need a place to tailgate. [email protected]
GO BLUE!!