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Fall marks the start of football season, which means it's time to head to the nearest tailgate, where fans come together to eat, drink, and socialize before the game begins.
Having graduated Wake Forest University in North Carolina last May, I went back to college to tailgate with my friends and cheer on the Demon Deacons.
Being a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), consistently one of the best football conferences in the US, we take football and our tailgates very seriously.
Keep scrolling to see what it's like to tailgate at an ACC school.
It's three hours before kick-off and getting ready for a tailgate is almost as important as the tailgate itself at WFU. It is more common for girls to wear dresses than jerseys.
Getting ready for the game.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
Once ready, a shuttle bus brings students from campus to the stadium, which is located 1.5 miles off campus. The tailgate starts at 1pm.
Students line up for a shuttle bus.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
The shuttles tend to be super crowded.
Students crowd in for the short ride.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
The tailgate is located at the WFU tennis stadium, which is right outside the football stadium, BB&T Field.
The view walking up to the tailgate.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
As you walk up the the tailgate, fraternity tents begin to appear with food and kegs of beer.
The entrance to the tailgate.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
The food is often BBQ (this is North Carolina after all).
Pulled pork.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
Hot dogs are common too.
Students waiting for a hot dog.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
However, the main event is beer. And lots of it.
Students waiting to get beer from a keg under the table.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
Some tents have music.
Students dancing.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
Getting to the tents can be tough though, since it's so crowded
A scene from the WFU tailgate.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
Everyone is drinking (if they are 21, of course) and having a good time.
It gets crowded.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
Despite the crowds, you'll run into a lot of friends and classmates.
You'll always bump into someone you know.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
Though sometimes climbing up on things will help you spot friends.
Students standing on a stadium light pole.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
Or take a cute pic at least.
A picture of me at the tailgate.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
After two hours of food, beer, and fun, it's finally time to head to the game...
Students begin to leave the tailgate.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
Soon the tailgate grounds are completely empty...
Everyone left for the game.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
...and students flood the football stadium instead.
Students arriving at the stadium.
Ciara Appelbaum / INSIDER
Go Demon Deacons! It was another tailgate for the books.
