Our first Vol game HELP PLEASE!

#1
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charpies627

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#1
Hello Tennessee Faithful! I am in need of some help! I know that some of these topics have been addressed in other threads, but I'm looking for a little more detail.

I am SURPRISING my husband with a weekend getaway to Knoxville + awesome tickets to our first vols game ever against Vandy next weekend. He has no clue that any of this is happening, and planning this trip on my own is intimidating, (Im trying to think of everything!)

We are coming from Michigan and neither of*us*have any idea how to navigate the Knoxville area. I would like to ask a few questions about tailgating. Is it proper tailgate etiquette to join in on other people's tailgate parties? If so, how do you know which parties have an open invitation? Are there any tailgaiting venues known for letting all fans alike join their party? I've*never been to a*football game of this magnitude before (just*U of Toledo games, and I know for sure that they are*no where near the*level of the Tennessee tailgating atmosphere).*We are more than happy to bring our own drinks, not looking to mooch, but we really want to get a great "Vols Fan" experience and meet some new people and have some great food. And since it is just going to be my husband and I, i'm not really interested in setting up our own tailgate area just for the two of us. We aren't huge into partying and getting wasted -- a few drinks, some snacks, and chatting with fellow vols fans would be perfect. We just want to have a great pregame experience and not go into game day without a plan.

If anyone has some helpful tips about timing, parking, tailgating etiquette, or other things to do over the weekend.. I'd appreciate anything I can get! Sorry if I've asked redundant questions, but I'm new to this!

Thanks!
 
#2
#2
A lot of different ways to go about gameday. Personally, I've gotten to where I hardly ever worry about a tailgate anymore. It's park in the Market Square garage. Mill around the shops and restaurants in the Market Square/Old City area (tons of fans down there). Then ride the trolley down to the stadium area and maybe hang out in Volunteer Village until it's time for the Vol Walk.
 
#3
#3
GAVol said:
A lot of different ways to go about gameday. Personally, I've gotten to where I hardly ever worry about a tailgate anymore. It's park in the Market Square garage. Mill around the shops and restaurants in the Market Square/Old City area (tons of fans down there). Then ride the trolley down to the stadium area and maybe hang out in Volunteer Village until it's time for the Vol Walk.
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Thank you for your suggestion! I have heard a lot of good things about Market Square. So for a 7:00 game, should we get to the Market Sq. garage early in the morning? Before 8? Any place you can suggest for breakfast?
 
#4
#4
Come to the "strip" area (Cumberland Ave) through campus. Just off of Cumberland (and along the strip) there are lots for parking/tailgating for the public. Set yourself up and join in those around you as if you've known 'em for years. It is a festive party atmosphere and there are no outsiders ... even those in black and gold (Vandy) will be welcomed. The UT fans are fans but are not pricks about it. Hospitality is an east TN virtue celebrated each weekend at football games.
 
#5
#5
thanks a lot orangebybirth! that is exactly what i was hoping for! Just meeting up with some fellow fans and experiencing that UT hospitality! :)

we are planning on getting there early and having breakfast, strolling the streets, and soaking it all in! can't wait!!!! thanks again!
 
#6
#6
Hold on...there's more.

1) Pay these prices and pay no more.
2) Sit....never stand.
 
#8
#8
We usually end up at Cool Beans on the strip. Decent priced beer, good prices on food.
 
#10
#10
tri_vol said:
1) Its something the announcer says.
2) something the old people do
Posted via VolNation Mobile
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Oh! haha, Thanks for keeping me in the loop!

Can anyone tell me what time is early enough to get there in order to park in the market square garage for a 7:00 game?
 
#11
#11
For the UGA game, which was a 7:00 kick, we arrived around 1:00 and got into the deck, but it was filling up with the lunch crowd.
 
#12
#12
Okay thanks a lot. We are planning on coming over to the market square area in the morning anyways for breakfast, so we should be fine on finding a spot in the garage. It's looking like we are going to just leave the car there and walk around all day.

Any breakfast/brunch suggestions? In the Market Square area, I've heard Cafe 4 and LaCosta are really good.
 
#13
#13
Ideal day for first timers IMO.

1pm Lunch at Calhoun's BBQ

230pm Then walk thru Vol Navy along Neyland drive very close to Calhoun's

3pm Find a tailgate around the G10 parking area/gate 21 for a few drinks and conversation

430pm Vol walk(not far from G10)

530pm Salute to the Hill

630pm make sure you get to your seat early for pregame as its senior night
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#14
#14
BruinVol said:
Ideal day for first timers IMO.

1pm Lunch at Calhoun's BBQ

230pm Then walk thru Vol Navy along Neyland drive very close to Calhoun's

3pm Find a tailgate around the G10 parking area/gate 21 for a few drinks and conversation

430pm Vol walk(not far from G10)

530pm Salute to the Hill

630pm make sure you get to your seat early for pregame as its senior night
Posted via VolNation Mobile
Click to expand...


thanks for the breakdown! i think we will be doing almost everything you mentioned!
you guys have all been a great help! 7 days left before I surprise him with the big news!!!! :)

how have the evenings been weather wise in knoxville? i was originally thinking it would be an afternoon game before they announced the 7:00 game time a few days ago. Now I'm trying to plan for a little chillier weather.
 
#15
#15
charpies627 said:
thanks for the breakdown! i think we will be doing almost everything you mentioned!
you guys have all been a great help! 7 days left before I surprise him with the big news!!!! :)

how have the evenings been weather wise in knoxville? i was originally thinking it would be an afternoon game before they announced the 7:00 game time a few days ago. Now I'm trying to plan for a little chillier weather.
Click to expand...

Last Saturday was great. Short sleeve shirt in day with pullover/sweatshirt at night. Bad news is everyday is very different here. Follow weather.com is best advice
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#16
#16
:cool:
charpies627 said:
thanks for the breakdown! i think we will be doing almost everything you mentioned!
you guys have all been a great help! 7 days left before I surprise him with the big news!!!! :)

how have the evenings been weather wise in knoxville? i was originally thinking it would be an afternoon game before they announced the 7:00 game time a few days ago. Now I'm trying to plan for a little chillier weather.
Click to expand...

It was cold for the USCjr game. Being from Michigan though u should b just fine.. definitely a sweatshirt though.. Congrats on keeping the secret from him.. I couldn't do it, and welcome to the VOL family.. GBO:huggy:
 
#17
#17
forecast for Knoxville as of now...partly cloudy, highs in the 60's, lows in the 40's...subject to change...short sleeves by day and hooded pull-over by night as someone else said...go Vols!
 
#19
#19
For a good southern breakfast it's hard to beat Pete's Coffee Shop at the corner of Union and Locust (2 blocks from Market Square).
 
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#22
#22
charpies627 said:
chads tennesee football surprise.wmv - YouTube

Here is the video of me giving my husband his "surprise gift." He had NO IDEA we were going anywhere this weekend! Sorry for the shakey video :) And thanks again for everyones help!:dance2: EXCITED!
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Brings joy to me seeing your guys excitement. Have a safe drive and enjoy ever second of your stay in the greatest place on earth. For the rest of us, shame on us for taking for granted that we have the opportunity to attend truly one of the greatest sporting venues in the world! Go Vols!
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#23
#23
charpies627 said:
Okay thanks a lot. We are planning on coming over to the market square area in the morning anyways for breakfast, so we should be fine on finding a spot in the garage. It's looking like we are going to just leave the car there and walk around all day.

Any breakfast/brunch suggestions? In the Market Square area, I've heard Cafe 4 and LaCosta are really good.
Click to expand...

Cafe 4 can be sort of bipolar, but they have a shrimp and grits that can't be beat. Along with the obvious, it includes a fried egg and goat cheese, gently sauteed onions and red peppers, tiny tomatoes, andouille sausage, mmm mmm mmm... Slightly Cajun flavored, but it won't make your nose run.

If you've never had shrimp and grits, it probably sounds absolutely disgusting, but I had it for the first time ever at Cafe 4 a few years ago, and I dream about it now. (I love my new home in northern California, but they don't do shrimp and grits worth crap.) I'm still trying to duplicate the recipe. Try it for brunch.
 
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#24
#24
That's awesome. Hope you enjoy your trip to a great venue for college football. However, I don't think the stadium will be sold out for this game as we have alot of "fair-weather" fans that won't show up to a 7 PM game when the temp is below 70 degrees and the team is not winning. I talked to several today and chastised all of them. I will be there with my orange on. I hope you all have fun! Calhoun's on the River before the game is pretty good. THe Downtown Brewery on Gay street is a fun place too.
 
#25
#25
He doesn't seem real excited about the driving part. :)

What section are your tickets in?
 
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