(WKYT) – Hundreds of University of Kentucky football fans gathered around Kroger Field on Saturday for the program’s annual tailgate setup day, claiming spots ahead of the upcoming season.
Each year, UK designates a day for fans to set up tents and mark their tailgate locations around the stadium. While the official start time is 8 a.m., some fans arrived the night before.
“I drove in last night, drove by the stadium, there were people camping out here,” said Kevin Grether, a Columbus, Ohio native whose family are UK alumni. His daughter is currently a member of the UK swim team.
Familiar faces, new locations
Some fans were forced to adjust their usual setups this year. Andrew Berry said the expansion of UK Chandler Hospital displaced him and his family from their regular lot.
“There’s definitely a lot more people down here for sure, definitely a lot more people,” Berry said. “I think it’ll be nice to get to know everybody that goes down here.”
One fan arriving at 8 a.m. said roughly a thousand people were already set up by that point.
The tailgate formula
Father-son duo Ben and Mason Lay offered their take on what makes a successful tailgate.
“Food and beer,” Ben Lay said.
“Playing football with my friends and stuff, just hanging out with everybody while we’re waiting for the games,” Mason Lay said.
Grether said the atmosphere itself is a key ingredient, regardless of what’s on the field.
“A very good football team helps as well, but having a lot of people here, regardless of what you have, just that vibe of people getting together and getting ready for the game,” Grether said.
He also had a message for fellow fans heading into the season.
“We’re all in here to have fun and to enjoy the Wildcats, everybody just take it down a notch, just get along, okay?” Grether said.
Several fans said they are also looking forward to seeing what head coach Will Stein brings to the program this season.