Holiday Events

With nine days left until Christmas, you are probably running around finishing up last minute Christmas shopping and trying to figure out where the time has gone. You might also be thinking of all the festive activities you had in mind that you haven’t even gotten to do yet. Well ladies and gentlemen, I have good news for you; there is still plenty of time AND plenty of fun holiday activities to experience before (and after) Santa comes to town! I have provided a list of the remaining holiday activities in the area so that you might find that perfect little something to do. Take a look and see which festive activity you’re interested in!

S'more's and More

Dates: December 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 2015 
Time: 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM
Location: The Hotel at Auburn University 

Come gather around the fire pit on the Ariccia patio for s’mores and hot chocolate with friends and family. S'more's and More will take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in December from 5 - 6 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Ariccia at (334) 844-5140. It is $10 per person and complimentary for hotel guests. 

Holly Jolly Mixology Class

Date: December 16, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM until 6:30 PM
Location: The Hotel at Auburn University

Enjoy Christmas cocktails and holiday hors d’ oeuvres while learning how to master holiday classics with our in-house mixologists. Guests will be guided through the proper methods of mixing cocktails and have the opportunity to prepare classic holiday cocktails. Guests receive a special gift to take home at the end of the night. Limited spots available. For reservations, please contact Adam Keeshan at (334) 321-3165 or by email. It will cost $55 per person. 

Children's Gingerbread Class

Date: December 19, 2015
Time: 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM
Location: The Hotel at Auburn University

Experience the magic of the holiday season by creating a gingerbread house.  Executive Sous Chef, Brandon Burleson, will assist your child in assembling and decorating a gingerbread house. The class includes all materials, refreshments and the gingerbread house. Immediately following the class, children are invited to gather round the hotel’s Gingerbread Village to listen to holiday stories told by Santa. For reservations, contact Anna Kent at (334) 321-3175. It is $35 per child.

Christmas Dinner

Date: December 24 - December 25, 2015
Time: 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM
Location: The Hotel at Auburn University

Let The Hotel at Auburn University's culinary team do the cooking for you and enjoy a delicious four course holiday meal in Ariccia. Reservations highly recommended and can be made by contacting Ariccia at (334) 844-5140. It will cost $39 for adults and $19 for children. The Hotel at Auburn University is located at 241 South College Street.

New Year's Eve Celebration

Date: December 31, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM until 1:00 AM
Location: The Hotel at Auburn University

Ring in 2016 with a five course sharing menu in Ariccia, a champagne toast at midnight and live jazz in piccolo. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting Ariccia at (334) 844.5140. Dinner seating will take place between 5:30 - 11 p.m. Live jazz will begin at 9 p.m. It will cost $60 per person to attend. 

If you have any questions about the activities listed, be sure to call (334) 887-8747 or email info@aotourism.com. I hope you are able to enjoy these fun activities and spend quality time with your loved ones. 

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! 

Military Appreciation Day

To honor the men and women who serve and have served this great nation in military service, Auburn University has scheduled numerous military-themed events as part of Military Appreciation Day on November 21 when Auburn hosts Idaho at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 3:00 p.m.

 Friday, November 20:

·         At 2 p.m., Auburn Veterans and Servicemen and Women are invited to a reception in the J. “Pat” Galloway Atrium at the Auburn Alumni Center.

·         At 3 p.m., Congressional Medal of Honor winner, Command Sergeant Major Bennie Adkins, will lead the All-Star Lecture Series at the Alumni Center to discuss his story. The event is free and open to the general public.

Saturday, November 21:

·         Auburn Military Appreciation buttons and mini American flags which will be distributed at the Coca-Cola FanFest on Nichols Lawn, Alumni Association tent on Wallace Center lawn, and all historic military vehicle displays around campus.

·         Active and retired military with ID will receive free admission and food at the Auburn Hospitality Tailgate located at the Alumni Center, and their guests are offered free admission and $5 per person for food. The hospitality tailgate opens four hours before kickoff.

·         The 4^th Marine Aircraft Wing will conduct a pre-game flyover featuring Marine Corps Attack Helicopters. (Disclaimer: event could be suspended at any time due to flight restrictions)

·         Auburn ROTC Cadets and Midshipman will lead the Auburn football team through Tiger Walk at approximately 1:00 p.m.

·         Two Auburn University student veterans will join the team captains during the coin toss.

·         The Auburn Football coaching staff will adorn a Military Appreciation patch on the sleeve of their game day shirts.

·         To honor Auburn University veterans and ROTC cadets, there will be multiple in-game recognitions throughout the game.

·         Military branch and POW flags will fly around Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Other features of Military Appreciation Day:  

·         Auburn has partnered with the Dixie Division Military Vehicle Club to bring in historic military display vehicles. The displays will be presented at multiple locations on campus including the Nichols Center, Dawson Building Lawn, and the east side of Jordan-Hare Stadium.

·         Auburn and Under Armour partnered to provide a military appreciation t-shirt available online or in person at the Auburn Team Shop located inside Auburn Arena.

·         The Athletics Department and the Auburn Alumni Association will distribute commemorative Military Appreciation Day coins and for active and retired military personnel with military ID. While supplies last.

Stripe the Stadium

ATTENTION AUBURN FAMILY! The Athletic Department is asking fans to help “Stripe the Stadium” for this weekend’s game against Ole Miss! If you’re a true (orange and) blue fan like I know you are, you were ready to stripe the stadium yesterday ... you just didn’t know how to do it. Well, the wait is over and you are in luck! Here is how it is going to happen THIS Saturday in Jordan-Hare. 

Game Plan: Sections 1-2, 5-6, 9-10, 14-16, 29-30, 33-36, 39-40, 43-44, 47-49, 53-56, 60-62, 99-101, 105-108, and 112-114 will be asked to wear orange. Sections 3-4, 7-8, 11-13, 17-28, 31-32, 37-38, 41-42, 45-46, 50-52, 57-59, 102-104, and 109-111 will be asked to wear blue. A diagram is also available for assistance in planning which color to wear to the Stadium.

Cool right? So cool, in fact, that shirts have been made to commemorate the occasion. Click here to purchase the official “Stripe the Stadium” shirt in orange or blue.

The entire student section has been designated a blue section. Students can purchase the official blue shirt at the AU Team Shop on Wednesday and Thursday for a discounted price of $14.99.

As for documenting the occasion, it only seems appropriate to have an ultra-high resolution 360-degree fan photo taken before the start of the game. So in the case you'd be interested in joining 87,000 of your tiger striped friends for ulta-high resolution photo, then I'd suggest getting to your seat a little bit early. 

The interactive photo - powered by Blakeway Worldwide Panoramas - will allow everyone to find and tag themselves, share the views with friends, enter to win prizes, and celebrate the game in incredible detail. Sign up now to be notified when the Auburn Tigers Gigapixel is ready to view at http://pano.ly/auburn.

The game is set for 11 a.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN. For more information on "Stripe the Stadium," log on to TigerStripeAU.com.

Get ready to show your STRIPES this Saturday in Jordan-Hare! War Eagle! 

With Halloween right around the corner, you might be thinking that is is too late to pick a fresh pumpkin for your home or to visit a haunted house for a good scare. I am here to tell you that it is definitely not too late! You have plenty of time and several options for getting into the Halloween spirit! Visiting the local pumpkin patch or attending Auburn University's 27th Annual Pumpkin Carve is the perfect way bring in the Fall and celebrate the upcoming holiday. Below, I've include some great attractions for you to check out with your friend and family. If you have any questions about the following events, please call (334) 887-8747 or email info@aotourism.com. Happy fall to all! 

Trick or Treating 

Downtown Trick or Treat and neighborhood trick or treating will both be held the night of Thursday, October 29, due to the Auburn High School home football game on Friday, October 30, and the Auburn University home football game on Saturday, October 31. This change allows Auburn Police Division to focus on the safety of trick or treaters as well as football fans. Downtown Trick or Treat and trick or treating in neighborhoods will be held from 6 - 8 p.m. For more information, call (334) 501-7266 or visit http://bit.ly/1NRaj47.  

27^th Annual Pumpkin Carve

On October 30, The Auburn University Chapter of The American Institute of Architecture Students is hosting its 27th Annual Pumpkin Carve on Friday, October 30, in the newly renovated and re-designed Dudley Courtyard. Pumpkin Carve began as a studio project twenty-seven years ago and has now turned into one of the most celebrated events within the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture at Auburn University. Architecture students invite all students, as well as community members of all ages, to gather in the courtyard of Dudley Hall to carve pumpkins. Carving will begins at 9 a.m. The pumpkins will be illuminated and judging will begin at 6:00 p.m. In regards to parking, after 5 p.m., visitors can park in the South Quad Parking Deck on Lem Morrison Drive. and Duncan Drive. Click here for more information about this event.

Schedule

9 a.m. - Carving Begins

11:30 a.m. - Lunch

6 p.m. - Pumpkins Lit + Judging Begins

7 p.m. - Pumpkin Carving, Silent Auction, Costume Contest and Raffle Winners Announced

8 p.m. - Auction of Pumpkins

All Day Events

*Costume Contest: College students, kids, faculty, and visitors are encouraged to come carve a pumpkin in their Halloween costumes. Upon arrival, costume contest participants can take a picture in front of a designated wall. All the photos will be judged and winners will be announced at 7 p.m. Winners must be present to receive a prize.

*Aubie: Aubie will be in attendance at various times throughout the day

*Refreshments: Though hot dogs and hamburgers will be served at lunch, CADC Organizations will be selling snacks, treats, and beverages all day long. 

Pumpkin Patch

If you’re looking for a fun time out with friends or family, Farmer in The Dell Pumpkin Patch is the place for you! At Farmer in the Dell, you can pick your pumpkins right off the vine, enjoy the hay bale play area, pick sunflowers, ride the hay ride, dig in the corn trough, and purchase farm grown mums and raw honey. In addition, there will be cute farm animals to see. To view the hours of 

operation, click here.

Haunted Farms/Hayrides

Sleepy Hallow Haunted Farm

Sleepy Hollow Haunted Farm will be on October 24, 30 and 31st from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. As of this year, Sleepy Hallow is offering two new attractions: The Haunted Hayride and Haunted Maze. These two, coupled with the Haunted House, will definitely make for one scary night! Those who dare to be scared will also enjoy free hot chocolate and a free petting zoo. Tickets can be purchased online at or at the door. Chick-Fil-A in TigerTown and Chick-Fil-A on Magnolia Avenue will be supplying $5 coupons for the farm, so be sure to pick one up before you come out. Coupons are available every Friday and Saturday in October. Sleepy Hallow Haunted Farm is located at 929 County Road 14, Auburn, AL 36830. For more information, call 334.750.2591 or visit http://www.sleepyhollowauburn.com/.

Fields of Fear

Grab your friends and loved ones, and come take a ride on a dark and creepy trail in the heart of the Eagle Creek community in Dadeville…if you dare!  What really lurks in the deep hollows of the woods in Central Alabama? Are you brave enough to meet face-to-face with some of the scariest legends in flesh and blood? On your tour, you’ll encounter horrible things that will make your skin crawl and you’ll see things that will be etched in your memory for years to come. Bring someone you can hold tight because when you dare to venture down the Fields of Fear Hayride, the last thing you want is to be alone. Fields of Fear is located at 503 Freeman Road, Dadeville, AL 36853. Click here to learn more about this horror of a hayride.

Pope’s Haunted Farm

This haunted attraction is one of the largest in the southeast! Events include a haunted hayride, haunted barn, haunted forest, and new Zombie Paintball Safari. Over 40 live actors for each event is sure to scare you this year! Open every Friday and Saturday through October 31, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. EST, and on Thursday, October 29, from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST. Ticket costs vary according to which attractions you want to participate in. One attraction costs $13 and a combination of three attractions costs $30. The Zombie Paintball Safari is $20. Directions and additional information about Pope’s Haunted Farm can be found by calling (706) 566-7766 or visiting http://bit.ly/1GkdvD6.  

Weekend Events: October 9-11

Ready for the weekend? Looking for something fun to do? Well, it's Thursday which means I have practically been thinking about the next weekend since, well, Sunday at 8:00 p.m. And since I've been thinking about the weekend, I've been thinking about all of the great events that will be going on over the weekend. It's so nice that Auburn and Opelika have plenty to keep us busy even when our Tigers aren't going to be on the field! Below, I have broken down this weekend's events in different categories: Community, Auburn University Athletics, SpoOky and Arts. If you're interested in something particular just follow the heading that leads to an event you'd be interested in. I hope this helps in your search of something fun to do. Have a great weekend!

Community

An Indian SummerNight

Due to the Toomer’s Corner Revitalization Project the SummerNight Downtown Art Walk will now be held this fall. The City of Auburn, Auburn Arts Association, Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center and Downtown Auburn Merchants will host an Indian SummerNight Friday, October 9 from 6 – 9:30 p.m. in downtown Auburn.  In the event of rain, an Indian SummerNight will be held on Saturday, October 10. This annual event is for local artists and musicians to display their talents, while offering the community a chance to enjoy an evening in the downtown area. Downtown merchants and restaurants will remain open after regular business hours. Citizens are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to shop, dine and enjoy the downtown atmosphere. This event will be free and include children’s activities earlier in the evening. If you have questions about the event, please call 334.501.2963. The event will take place downtown Auburn at 100 N. College Street. 

Country Nation College Tour featuring Brad Paisley

Auburn is the second stop on Paisley’s "Country Nation College Tour" presented by Zaxby’s. Breakout country artist, Eric Paslay, will join him and kick off the concert at 7:30 p.m., with Paisley headlining at 8:30. Auburn’s Heisman Drive will be closed to the public, but the Stadium Deck will be open beginning at 3 p.m. for pass holders. Public parking lots at the Coliseum, Auburn Arena, Magnolia Avenue and Donahue Drive the Library Deck, the Intramural Fields, South Quad Parking Deck, the Hayfield and the CDV Extension will open at 4 p.m. Tents, coolers, glass bottles, chairs and “saving space” is prohibited. Though all campus alcohol policies will be in effect, food trucks and concessions will be available around the Student Center Green Space, inside the Auburn University Student Center until 8p.m. and at the concession stands located in the Southeast Concourse of Jordan-Hare Stadium. The show will take place rain or shine. In the event of a needed evacuation, Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Auburn University Student Center and Haley Center will be open for assistance. 

Additional Information:

Beat Bama Food Drive: Please bring canned food donations for the Beat Bama Food Drive. Drop-off locations will be placed around the Green Space. 

Restrooms: Restrooms will be in the Southeast Concourse of Jordan-Hare Stadium and Student Center.

Emergency and/or First Aid: EMTs will be located on the East Concourse of Jordan-Hare Stadium and ambulances stationed on-site will be available.

Auburn University's Green Space is located at 255 Heisman Drive.

Oktoberfest

2015 marks the sixth year of The Hotel at Auburn University's Oktoberfest. For the first three years, the event was held in the intimate setting of our Terrace room and around our pool, allowing for about 150 attendees. Two years ago, the event expanded to its current location in the north parking lot of The Hotel at Auburn University to allow for attendance growth and a larger variety of breweries. This year's event will take place on Saturday, October 10, from 4 - 9 p.m. at The Hotel at Auburn University. 

Each local, regional and national brewery in attendance will showcase a small selection of beers, giving attendees an opportunity to sample a variety of great brews. Select breweries will also present one-off beers, which are brewed specifically to be served at AUktoberfest.

Returning this year is Homebrew Alley where local homebrewers are given the opportunity to showcase their craft to festival goers. Click here to register for the Homebrew Alley now!

Tickets will be available online starting August 7, at 8 a.m. General admission tickets will be available for $50 at the event. Food tickets can also be purchased for $5 and pre-Sale tickets will be $40.

The Hotel at Auburn University is offering a special Oktoberfest Package which includes: tickets to the event, food tickets to use at the event, Oktoberfest T-Shirts, a Saturday night stay and breakfast for two on Sunday morning. To book, please go to www.auhcc.com.

AU Athletics

Auburn Soccer vs Texas A&M

Auburn Soccer will host Texas A&M on October 11, from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Auburn Soccer Complex. The game will be televised on the SEC Network. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.auburntigers.com. Auburn's Soccer Complex is located at 392 South Donahue Drive.

Auburn Softball vs North Georgia

The Auburn Softball team will host North Georgia on October 11, at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Jane B. Moore Field. Admission is free to all fall Auburn softball games. For more information on Auburn Softball, visit www.auburntigers.com, follow the team on Twitter @Auburn_Softball or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuburnSoftball. Auburn University's softball field is located at 795 West Samford Avenue. 

Auburn Women's Soccer vs Texas A&M

Auburn looks to finish the season strong against SEC West opponent Texas A&M on October 11, from 2 - 4 p.m. Auburn University's Soccer Complex is located at 392 South Donahue Drive.

SpoOky 

3rd Annual Haunted Auburn Walking Tour

Descendants of the famous gothic writers Bram Stoker and Edgar Allen Poe are not only great storytellers, they're also Auburn's premiere Paranormal Investigators. Brandon Stoker and John Poe are the founders of Alabama Spectral Investigators. They'll lead you past some of Auburn's most famous haunted locations. You'll learn interesting histories and haunted facts about what has been named the 'Loveliest Village on the Plains'. Donations are appreciated but not required. Tours last approximately 45 minutes. A great pair of walking shoes will soothe your feet as you dress according to predicted weather. Two tours will occur, the first will begin at 7 p.m. and the second at 9 p.m. Plan to meet your tour guides between Auburn's stone eagles located diagonally from Toomer's Corner. Join them for the city's 3rd Annual thrilling October Treat.

This event will take place on October 9, 10, 23 and 24. For more information, please contact John Poe at 334.444.1422. 

Sleepy Hollow Haunted Farm 

Sleepy Hollow Haunted Farm will be open this year on October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31st from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. Sleepy Hollow farms is excited to announce the addition of two new attractions: The Haunted Hayride and Haunted Maze. These two, coupled with the Haunted House, will definitely make for one scary night! Those who dare to be scared will also enjoy free hot chocolate and a free petting zoo when attending the farm. Tickets can be purchased online at or at the door. Chick-Fil-A in TigerTown and Chick-Fil-A on Magnolia Avenue will be supplying $5 coupons for the farm, so be sure to pick one up before you come out. Coupons are available every Friday and Saturday in October.

Sleepy Hollow Haunted Farm is located at 929 County Road 14, Auburn, AL 36830. For more information, please visit our website!

Fields of Fear Haunted Hayride

Grab your friends and come take a ride on a dark and creepy trail in the heart of the Eagle Creek community in Dadeville…if you dare! What really lurks in the deep hollows of the woods in Central Alabama? Are you brave enough to meet face-to-face with some of the scariest legends in flesh and blood?

On your tour, you’ll encounter horrible things that will make your skin crawl and you’ll see things that will be etched in your memory for years to come. Bring someone you can hold tight because when you dare to venture down the Fields of Fear Hayride, the last thing you want is to be alone.

Fields of Fear is located at 503 Freeman Road in Dadeville, which is just a couple miles from Horseshoe Bend Park. It will be open from 7:30 - 11 p.m. on every Saturday leading up to Halloween. For more information, please visit our website. 

Arts

"Along the Eastern Road: Hiroshige's Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido"

"Along the Eastern Road: Hiroshige’s Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido" features fifty-five revolutionary, color wood-block prints by Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797–1858) depicting the scenic views along the famous “Eastern Road” that linked Edo (now Tokyo) with Kyoto, the ancient imperial capital of Japan. This popular series, known as the "Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Road," established Hiroshige’s reputation as the foremost artist of the topographical landscape in nineteenth-century Japan. Organized by the Reading Public Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania, this stunning exhibition presents the complete first edition of the Fifty-Three Stations, issued in 1833–34, alongside selected comparative examples from later editions. Click here for more information on programs related to the exhibition or to register tickets.

This exhibition will be available for viewing through January 10. The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is located at 901 South College Street.

"Willie Cole: Indelible" 

Willie Cole (American, born 1955) is best known for assembling and transforming ordinary domestic and used objects such as irons, ironing boards, high-heeled shoes, hair dryers, bicycle parts and recycled plastic water bottles into imaginative and powerful works of art. Through the repetition and compounding of single objects to form his sculptures and site-specific installations, Cole imbues new and transcendent metaphorical meaning in his work, often embodying a critique of Western society’s consumer culture. "Indelible" includes a selection of Cole’s paintings, photographs, prints and other works on paper, along with recent unique and limited edition sculptures. His art is represented in numerous private and public collections and museums, including the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art. For more information on the exhibition, as well as related programs head to our website!

This exhibition will be available for viewing through January 10, 2015. The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art is located at 901 South College Street.

Weekend Events: AU vs. Mississippi State

Can you believe we are entering the fourth week of college football?! It seems like just yesterday we were anxiously awaiting the reveal of our Auburn Tiger Football team and now here we are going into week four. As we begin marking off previous games with Ws and Ls and start looking to the next game ahead there is one thing that holds true throughout the weeks. That thing is that no matter what happens we are the Auburn Family and pride for our beloved Tigers will always hold steady and true.

And since our love for the Tigers is strong, it can be quite the task to sit by and wait for the next game to roll around. The good news though is that there are plenty of AUsome events to keep us busy in the meantime. Do you know about all of the AUsome events that take place on the weekends of home football games? Well, in case you didn’t I am here to give you the scoop. Below, I’ve listed the exciting events taking place this weekend for the AU vs. Mississippi game. For more information on these upcoming events, please email info@aotourism.com or call (334) 887-8747.

 

Friday Football Luncheon

Kickoff home game weekends at the Friday Football Luncheon. Enjoy lunch with other Auburn fans and participate in a brief talk with Coach Malzahn or one of the other coaches. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at www.auburntigers.com/gamedayevents. The luncheon is held in the Letterman's Lounge inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. Guests can enter in through the East Side Scholarship Entrance. Parking is available on the 4th level of the stadium deck on Heisman Drive.

Date: 9/25/15 // Time: 11:30 a.m. // Location: Letterman's Lounge at Jordan-Hare Stadium

Auburn University Campus Walking Tours 

Join the War Eagle Girls and Plainsman on Friday afternoon before home games beginning at 4:00 p.m. from the Auburn Alumni Center for a special tour of campus. Free and open to the public. Campus walking tours available prior to each home game except the Auburn-Alabama game.

Date: 9/25/15 // Time: 4:00 p.m. 

Location: Auburn Alumni Center

Jordan-Hare Stadium Locker Room Tours 

Come experience the pre-game locker room setup for the Auburn football team at   Jordan-Hare Stadium on Fridays prior to each home game from 4-6 p.m. Free and open to the public. Please enter at Gate 10 through the Jane and Mike McCartney Brick Plaza.

Date: 9/25/15 // Time: 4 - 6 p.m.

Location: Gate 10 at Jordan-Hare Stadium

Football, Fans, and Feathers Raptor Educational Program 

Join the Southeastern Raptor Center for Football, Fans and Feathers, a raptor show and flight demonstration where hawks, falcons, eagles and other birds of prey are free-flown from towers and around the amphitheater, enabling visitors to see these raptors fly up close. Tickets are $5 per person and support the mission of the Southeastern Raptor Center, the rehabilitation of injured or orphaned raptors, to educate the public about birds of prey and conservation. Call Andrew Hopkins at (334) 844-6943 for more information about the event.

Date: 9/25/15 // Time: 4 - 5 p.m. // Location: 1350 Pratt-Carden Dr., Auburn, AL 36830

AUsome Amphibians & Reptiles 

Join the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve & Nature Center staff for a one-hour presentation on the AUsome amphibians and reptiles found in our state and beyond. Children and adults will enjoy this entertaining hands-on program with live animals. Admission is $5/person. Children 3 and under are free. Proceeds benefit the nature center. This event is sponsored by the Auburn Opelika Tourism Bureau.

Date: 9/25/15 // Time: 4:30 p.m.

Location: Kreher Preserve & Nature Center

2222 North College Street, Auburn, AL 36830

 

Rehabilitated Raptor Release 

The release will take place immediately following the Football, Fans and Feathers education bird event that SRC conducts on Fridays before home and away football games at the Edgar B. Carter Amphitheatre. When injured raptors are brought to SRC, they are evaluated and treated with the goal of returning them to a suitable habitat in the wild. The raptors being released here are young Barred Owls, brought to the center as orphans. In the case of these orphaned owls, Chewacla State Park provides an appropriate habitat for their release. If you have questions about the event, please email Joanne Ninesling at ppbirdingtrail@gmail.com.


Date: 9/25/15 // Time: 6 -7 p.m. // Location: 124 Shell Toomer Pkwy., Auburn, AL, 36830

Friday Football Dinner 

Kick off home game weekends at the Friday Football Dinners. Enjoy dinner with Auburn fans and eat where the Tigers eat in the new Auburn Wellness Kitchen. Tickets are $40 (plus tax) each and $20 (plus tax) for children 12 years and younger. Register online today at www.aubgameday.com. Date: 9/25/15 // Time: 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. // Location: Wellness Kitchen.

AU Football vs. Mississippi State  

Come out on Saturday, September 25, as they take on Mississippi State! Two hours prior to the game, the Tiger Walk will take place and gates will open. Pre-game festivities will begin on the field 20 minutes before kickoff and then the eagle will take flight. The game will begin at 6:36 p.m. For those watching from home, the game will be available on ESPN2. Click here for a detailed gameday schedule of events.

 

 

This week in Auburn/Opelika

September 22: Introduction to Lean U Start-Ups at the Shelby Center for Engineering

September 23: Rhiannon Giddens Concert at the Opelika Center for Performing Arts
September 23: “Flora and Fauna” art exhibit at the Jule Collins Smith Museum
September 23: Tour the Auburn University Museum of Natural History from 4-6 p.m.
September 24: Jazz! Food! Art! at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art from 5-8 p.m.
September 24: Extended Museum and Cafe Hours at the Jule Collins Smith Museum

For more information on these events or upcoming events, please visit www.aotourism.com!

 

Gameday Countdown

UPDATE: We are now officially 11 DAYS away from the start of Auburn Football and 18 DAYS from the first game in Jordan-Hare Stadium. This morning when I woke up, the cooler air reminded me that it is almost that time. While it is still hot, we are starting to get glimpses of what is to come. Today we are going to dive into the world of tailgating. We receive calls all the time asking the who, what, where about tailgating on gameday, so today, we hope to help answer some of those questions! Below is information straight from the fan guide. To receive a copy of the official fan guide, email info@aotourism.com or call (334) 887-8747.

How does it work in general?

• Tailgating is not allowed on campus until 4 p.m. on Friday. Tailgating will be allowed on Friday at 6 a.m. for the Alabama game.
• Please observe and follow signs in and around all construction areas.
• Reserving tailgating spots in grass areas using stakes, ropes, ribbons, tape, chairs, tables, tents, vehicles or other items is not allowed until 4 p.m. on Friday (except Alabama game), except for specially permitted University events. Items found before then are subject to removal without notice or reimbursement.
• It is unlawful to use any university utilities.

Where can I tailgate with my RV?

The hayfields on Donahue Drive will open for free, public RV parking at 2 p.m. on Thursdays prior to home games. The hayfields close at 4 p.m. on Sundays following each home game. The hayfields will open on Wednesday at 2 p.m. for the Alabama game.

Can I buy tailgating spots?

Tailgate at the Park- This fall, bring your tailgate parties to the Tailgate at the Park, where your space is reserved all season, and your walk to the game is only a block. Tailgate packages are available for any size group-whether it's just you and your family, or if you and your friends plan to reserve space together. Fans can customize their packages to include premium parking, reserved tailgate spots, tents, tables, and chairs. RV Parking and special event packages are available too. Reserve your season of hassle-free tailgating at www.ag.auburn.edu/tailgate.

Tailgate Guys- Since 2009, Tailgate Guys has provided a superior, turn-key tailgating service for the game day fan. Offering fully customizable tailgate packages, Tailgate Guys can accommodate almost any size or type of tailgate. All tailgate packages include tents, chairs, tables, and personalize signage with the option to add TV packages, catering and other supplemental items. They operate in a premier location on the Campus Green just steps from Jordan-Hare Stadium. For more information, please visit www.tailgateguys.com or call (334) 209-1259.

Are there any special requirements for my tent?

Tents with stakes shorter than 12-inches may be set up after 4 p.m. on Fridays (6 a.m. for Alabama game). Permits are required for any tent with stakes that are 12-inches or longer. Permit requests are handled online at www.auburn.edu/tents or (334) 844-4619.

Special permits are required for outdoor entertainment events with amplified sound. Permit requests must be submitted at least 14 days in advance and must include a list of required information for the request to be approved. Requests should be made to (334) 844-4619. Special event permits are not site reservations.

Can I have a grill?

Grills are not allowed within 50 feet of campus buildings or in other designated no-grill areas. All fires must be contained within grills or other containers designed specifically for that purpose. Extinguish charcoal fires thoroughly with water before leaving them unattended. Place extinguished charcoal in designated containers or remove it from campus for disposal. Do not dump charcoal on the group or in dumpsters. Tailgating and grilling are not allowed in the parking decks.

Will there be recycling bins for me to use?

Please keep campus beautiful by placing all trash and recycling in the proper bins located throughout the university tailgate areas, RV lots, and stadium for your convenience. Litter and recycling bags will also be distributed in tailgate areas and RV lots to help keep the university litter-free. Please see the Gameday map for trash and recycling locations.

Can I drop my tailgate supplies off?

Each game day, fans will have the opportunity to unload their vehicles in one of six designated locations.

The locations are:

A. Transportation Tech Center (Magnolia Avenue)
B. Goodwin Music Hall (Samford Avenue)
C. Mell Street Station (Mell Street)
D. Thach Avenue (Mell Street)
E. Intramural Fields (Biggio Drive)
F. Facilities Division (Samford Avenue)

*At spots, A, B, E, and F, fans may utilize the drop-off point beginning at 6 a.m. until 2 hours prior to kick-off.

**At spot C and D, fans may utilize the drop-off point beginning at 6 a.m. and ending when the Mell Street corridor is closed 4 hours prior to kick-off.

Well there ya have it! We hope that this helps you plan your tailgating for the 2015 AU Football season. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call at (334) 887-8747 or visit our website, www.aotourism.com/football, for additional information! Stay tuned next week as we break down gameday weekend events!

This week in Auburn/Opelika:

August 25: Opelika Mainstreet Farmers Market from 3-6 p.m.

August 27: The Market at Ag Heritage Park from 3-6 p.m.

August 27: Jazz! Food! Art! at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art from 5-8 p.m.

August 28: Closing reception for Ceramics and Drawing Exhibition "Florishing"

August 28: Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors in Concert from 5-10 p.m.

August 28: AU Soccer vs. UAB at 7 p.m.

August 28: AU Volleyball vs. Stephen F. Austin at 7 p.m.

August 29: 12 Hours of Nite Nationals at Chewacla State Park

August 29: AU Volleyball vs. Jacksonville at noon

August 29: AU Volleyball vs. Samford at 7:30 p.m.

August 30: AU Soccer vs. Furman at 1 p.m.

For more information on these events or upcoming events, please visit www.aotourism.com!