Gameday Countdown

It is official. We are only 24 DAYS away from kick-off in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Luckily, we only have 18 DAYS until the Tigers are back in action. If you are like me, you can feel your blood pumping. You are starting to get anxious and maybe even a little impatient for those Saturdays on the Plains. Well, while I can't speed up time, I can help you get ready for the big day! Throughout the next few weeks, I am going to give you the run down on everything gameday. From hotels to events, you will be ready to head down to the Plains in no time!

Hotels

Despite the rumor, hotels are NOT sold out. As of last week, the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau is reporting 29 hotels that still have availability for the first game against Jacksonville State. Auburn and Opelika have no shortage of rooms. Auburn currently has 18 hotels, with two of those being brand new with the Courtyard by Marriott on Exit 51 and Candlewood Suites on Exit 57. Opelika has 16 hotels, including the Marriott at Grand National on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Don't let staying in Opelika scare you, in a few minutes, you will discover that the Tiger Transit system makes it easy for you to travel between the two cities on gameday. The Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau works hard all season long to ensure that availability is up to date. We provide a listing for you to view each week at www.aotourism.com/football with the most current rates and openings at each hotel in Auburn and Opelika, although these should be used as a guideline due to availability constantly changing. If you have any questions, you can always call us and we will be happy to help you find room. Below is an example of our Football Hotel Availability listing:

Parking

Parking can be overwhelming on gameday, but have no fear, we are here to break it down for you. Below are parking instructions straight from the Fan Guide. If you would like a copy of the Auburn Fan Guide, please email us at info@aotourism.com.

Rule & Regulations
No parking is allowed on the roadway, bike paths and sidewalks.

For pedestrian safety the Mell Street corridor, bound by the intersections of Thach and College, Mell and Samford, and Miller and College will close to all vehicular traffic approximately two to four hours prior to kickoff. To improve safety, parking and post game exiting, game day guests will ONLY be allowed to access parking in the Mell Street corridor from College Street via Roosevelt Drive. Guests parking south of Roosevelt Drive will be required to park facing south and guests parking north of Roosevelt Drive will be required to park facing north.

Vehicles are not allowed inside areas enclosed by bollards, posts, chains or fences. Cars in these areas or those found blocking roadways, sidewalks, emergency lanes, fire hydrants, driveways or other vehicles are subject to being towed at the owner's expense.

Non-university golf carts and all-terrain vehicles are not allowed on campus.

All streets must remain open to traffic and emergency vehicles, except those that are blocked by law-enforcement barricades surrounding Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Accessible Parking
To utilize the AU Accessible parking lot, two items must be present at time of entry:

1. The state-issued handicapped license plate or hang tag;
2. The individual holder of the handicapped registration form must be present in the vehicle with photo ID.
3. Fans parking in ADA lot are not permitted to rope-off or hold spaces for any reason.

RV Parking Information
RVs arriving prior to their designated time may park in the large grass parking areas located at the corner of Donahue Drive and Lem Morrison Drive, beginning at 2 p.m. on Thursday (2 p.m. Wednesday for Alabama Game). RVs must leave campus by 4 p.m. on Sundays.

No-RV zones remain in effect in the core area of campus and other sites. Please refer to the Game Day Map in this guide to determine which areas are designated No-RV zones.

In order to minimize dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning casued by engine exhausts from RVs, trailers or portable generators, owners should ensure that engines are properly vented. Always park in a manner that ensures adequate space between vehicles. Install carbon monoxide detectors if possible.

That was overwhelming and wordy, but to sum it all up, check out the gameday parking map below.

Shuttles

Don't want to bother with parking? Auburn University Tiger Transit system offers a free service on gamedays that takes the worry and hassle out of gameday. The Tiger Transit buses run four hours prior to kickoff, continuously during the game and for two hours post-game to return fans to their stops. What more could you ask for? Tiger Transit pickups are located at various locations around the Auburn-Opelika area, so no matter what direction you are coming from, you can enjoy this luxury on gameday. Below are the transit pickups:

OFF-CAMPUS STOPS

Duck Samford Park (Airport Road, Auburn)
The transit bus pick-up point is located approximately 100 yards on the left after entering Duck Samford Park.

City of Auburn Softball Complex (2560 South College Street, Auburn)
Conveniently located off I-85 (exit 51), the transit bus pick up point is located next to Surfside Water Park.

Village Mall (1627-53 Opelika Road, Auburn)
The transit bus pick-up point is located off Mall Blvd in close proximity to Belk's parking lot.

TigerTown (2199 TigerTown Pkwy, Opelika)
Located off exit 58, the transit bus pick-up point is located in close proximity to the Kohl's parking lot.

ON-CAMPUS STOPS

War Eagle Way (serves as main campus pick up and drop off point)
All game day Tiger Transit shuttles will drop-off and pick-up on campus on War Eagle Way, immediately north of the Nichols Center.

Facilities Division (Samford Avenue)

Lem Morrison and Donahue

West Parking Lot (W. Thach Avenue)

Community Garden (Samford Avenue across from facilities)

We hope that you are well equipped with where you are going to stay and how you are going to get to the action, but as always, if you have questions, please give us a call at (334) 887-8747. Stay tuned for all about tailgating! For more information on gameday, please visit www.aotourism.com or www.auburntigers.com.

This week in Auburn-Opelika:

August 13-22: Auburn University Welcome Week
August 18: Bartender of the Year Competition at the Hotel at Auburn University.
August 18: Opelika Mainstreet Farmers Market from 3-6 p.m.
August 20: The Market at Ag Heritage Park from 3-6 p.m.
August 20: Jazz! Food! Art! at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
August 21-23: Thunder Road Classic
August 21: Young Frankenstein at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center
August 21: Come Home to the Corner in Downtown Auburn.
August 21: Comedy Night featuring James Gregory and Jody Fuller at the Bottling Plant Event Center
August 21: Act of Congress in concert at Sundilla
August 22: Tails & Trails 5K Run and One Mile Walk at Town Creek Park

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

Helpful Hints for Gameday

It’s less than 40 days until football season (not like we’re counting!) and we absolutely can’t wait to open against Arkansas on August 30, 2014, and see Auburn fans from all over the country back in the loveliest village! Whether you’re tailgating, going to the game or even visiting Auburn for the first time, here are some great ways to get the most out of your game day experience.

  

Somewhere to Stay

It’s a common misconception that there’s nowhere to stay in Auburn when it comes close to football season! While certain game weekends fill up quickly, the hotels are never 100% full. However, if you go online to check a certain hotel, sometimes it will say there’s no availability – not true! The staff at the tourism bureau calls all of the hotels every week leading up to football season to check rooms and rates, and there are always rooms available! Go to the aotourism.com homepage and click on the spinning football – you can view the football availability, week by week, including minimum rates for every hotel. 

Here's what the football availability looks like!
If you’re still having trouble, give us a call at 334-887-8747. We can help you find a room!

 Packing the Essentials

It’s easy to remember to pack your orange and blue and your famous chip dip for your tailgate – but here are some items commonly forgotten that can make or break your gameday.

1. Sunglasses and sunscreen: Absolutely essential for games on the plains! Depending on the time of the game, you might be sitting in the sun and/or squinting to see the eagle fly. Don’t get sunburned or miss the iconic tradition – remember to pack sun protection to keep your skin and eyes healthy!

2. Shakers: How many times have you walked into the stadium and realized you didn’t have a shaker? Shakers are essential for cheering, so unless you want to buy one when you get in town, pack your lucky shaker first (next to your Auburn shirt!)

3. Portable phone charger: This is a new addition to the must-have list. Phone batteries die quickly on gameday (between the Instagram photos, checking the scores of other games and even trying to send a text in the stadium.) Pick up a portable one and charge it up before you leave – that way you won’t be hunting around for an outlet when you should be having fun! You can pick them up almost anywhere, including grocery stores and gas stations.

4. Toilet Paper: Do we even have to explain this one?

 

  

Enjoying the Events

The main event on a football weekend is, of course, the football game. But there’s always more to do before and after the game! Check out the calendar here – some of our favorites are Football, Fansand Feathers and AUsome Amphibians and Reptiles!

A turkey vulture at the Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center.

Finding Your Way Around

Auburn is easy to navigate, but when thousands of fans stream in to watch their Tigers play, it can get confusing! Check out www.auburntigers.com for a parking map of where you can park on campus, but there are plenty of off-campus parking options too. Many establishments will sell parking spots, but be sure not to park anywhere you will get towed (like restaurants or apartment complexes).  The tourism bureau also operates shuttles that go to the hotels and other main locations, like TigerTown and the Village Mall. All of that information can be found here! 

And, of course, you can’t forget to eat. If you’re still peckish after your tailgate, check out the Best Bites list to see where to go after the game (or for brunch the next morning!)

One of our favorite "bites" - the crab cake and avocado sandwich from Amsterdam Cafe! 

What Does Your Favorite Gameday Tradition Say About You?

A-Day is just around the corner, and that only means one thing - football season is coming! 
And with football season comes tailgating, Toomer's lemonade, seeing the eagle fly and watching your Auburn Tigers dominate the field once again. Choose your favorite gameday tradition and find out below what it says about you - you might be surprised!

1. Rolling Toomer's Corner 
You’re fun, driven and competitive (but in a good way.) Nothing feels as good to you as winning does, and if it’s your Auburn Tigers, even better. You’re most likely to be found throwing the first couple rolls at Toomer’s corner, then snapping photos with you and your friends under the hanging strands, or lining up first to get into the game to get good seats. You’re most likely to be found in a game day score shirt or national championship shirt, or painting up/holding signs with your friends. (Like these kids.) 

2. Getting a Toomer’s Lemonade 
You’re the nostalgic type. Talk of Auburn makes you wish you were back in the good old days. When you come back for game days, you try to relive as much of your time here as possible (including grabbing a sweet Toomer’s lemonade) and remarking on how much the campus and downtown have changed. You believe in Auburn and love it, but cherish the “old” Auburn you remember. (Does anyone hang out in Foy Union anymore?) That doesn’t stop you from having fun, though. You’re most likely to be found at a tailgate and then the game – you wouldn’t miss it for the world. 

3. The eagle flying before the game 
You’re a family man (or woman!) You have very close relationships with the people in your life. Nothing beats hearing your voice join in unison with thousands of other Auburn fans as you watch the eagle soar over the stadium. You’re most likely to be found at the Raptor Center before the game, or walking around campus checking out the tailgates and reveling in the feeling of being a part of Auburn family. You like football season, but the best part of it to you isn’t the game – it’s celebrating Auburn as a whole. 

4. Tiger Walk 
Your middle name is school spirit. You’re fun, dedicated to Auburn and love Auburn football more than anything – in fact, it’s likely that “Auburn” was your first word. You’re bedecked in AU face stickers, your brightest orange and deepest navy, shaker in hand, yelling WAR EAGLE at the top of your lungs. You’re most likely to be found waiting for Tiger Walk to begin (in hopes of getting close enough for a high five from the team) or seeking out Aubie for a picture. 

5. Tailgating 
You’re the life of the party. You know how to take a step back from work/school and just relax, which makes your tailgate the best place to be (no work talk allowed!) You’re more likely to be found reliving your Greek days on Old Row or engaging in a pickup game of football on the grass in between tailgates or relaxing under the shade. You’re more likely to be found in a bright orange Auburn t-shirt, unless you’re feeling fancy - then it’s an Auburn button down and khakis or a gameday dress. 

6. Singing the alma mater after the game 
You’re a traditionalist. You value your Auburn education and overall experience more than our football record, but that doesn’t mean football doesn’t get you excited. You’re more likely to be found in the Special Collections of RBD or grabbing a quiet drink at Avondale Bar and Tap Room. You’re also less likely to be found in a “Gus bus” shirt – more likely a vintage Aubie tee or an old college shirt from when you went to Auburn. 

7. Chanting "Roll Tide" 
You’re a loyal and dedicated fan, family member and friend. Your taste in teams could be better, but no worries – there’s room in the Auburn Family for you, too. (If you can stand to ditch the houndstooth.)