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!

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!

#cornerconstruction

Big things are happening in Downtown Auburn. With new restaurants, retailers and brand new oak trees, Auburn is looking better than ever, but it doesn't stop there. Downtown Auburn is getting a makeover! Although things are going to be a little hectic for the next few months, we can't wait to show off our beautiful new downtown in the fall!

 

Today, May 11, marks the first day of the new Toomer's Corner Intersection Improvements Project. The intersection will close to allow for construction to begin. The renovation will bring several improvements to the intersection including raising the intersection to match the elevation of the sidewalks, new crosswalks and a permanent tiger paw made of paviers will be constructed. Aside from the road itself, the sidewalks of downtown will be included in the makeover with new trees, brick seat walls and overall general sidewalk improvements. New decorative traffic signal poles will be added as well to enhance lighting and overall appeal.

I know what your thinking, how in the world am I going to shop, dine and play in Downtown Auburn with all of this construction going on? Have no fear, downtown Auburn's retail stores, restaurants, and bars will remain open and fully functional throughout the whole process. Don't let gates and road closures stop you from enjoying all that Downtown Auburn has to offer. With free parking until August 17, there are no excuses. To make parking decisions easier, below is a list of all the available parking for the summer from www.auburnalabama.org/cornerconstruction!

Parking:

Downtown parking will be free during the Corner Construction project. Parking will still be limited to two hours (on-street) and four hours (parking lots) during weekday business hours (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to keep parking as available as possible for everyone who wants to visit downtown. All three floors of the municipal parking deck will be opened for free parking to offset on-street parking that will be unavailable during construction. The municipal parking deck will be available for four-hour parking during businesses hours and will remain open on evenings and weekends.

Free, on-street parking will be available on Gay Street, Tichenor Avenue, Wright Street and as follows:

South College Street Parking: Even though South College Street will be closed to through traffic from Thach Avenue to Magnolia Avenue, normal on-street parallel parking will still be available. A cut-through will be created in the median to allow drivers visiting downtown to get back to Thach Avenue. New, temporary, on-street parking will be created on the campus side of the road.

North College Street Parking: North College Street will be closed to through traffic from Glenn Avenue to Magnolia Avenue. Some parking will be available up to about the mid-block crossing. A temporary cul-de-sac will be created with on-street striping to allow traffic to park and leave. Cars will still be able to access the University Inn during construction.

East Magnolia Avenue Parking: East Magnolia Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Gay Street to College Street. Some parking will be available up to the mid-block crossing. A temporary cul-de-sac will be created with on-street striping to allow traffic to park and leave. Cars will be able to access the Compass Bank parking lot from Gay Street.

West Magnolia Avenue Parking: West Magnolia Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Wright Street to College Street, with Wright Street serving as a detour for northbound traffic during the construction.

Don't let traffic stress you out. The City of Auburn has carefully created a traffic plan with you in mind. Below are the detour routes from www.auburnalabama.org/cornerconstruction:

Traffic:

All traffic will detour around the Toomer's corner intersection.

Detour Routes:

Northbound and southbound traffic on College Street will detour to Gay Street via Thach Avenue and Glenn Avenue.

Eastbound traffic on Magnolia Avenue will detour via Wright Street, Glenn Avenue and Gay Street.

Westbound traffic on Magnolia Avenue will detour via Gay Street, Glenn Avenue and Toomer Street.

We are so excited to see how the improvements will impact our city and make shopping, dining and playing more enjoyable to residents and visitors. For updates on the Corner Construction, please visit www.auburnalabama.org/cornerconstruction and be sure to use the hashtag #cornerconstruction to easily find updates on Facebook and Twitter!

This week in Auburn-Opelika:

May 12: Discovery Hike at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center at 3:30 p.m.
May 12: Auburn Baseball vs. Morehead State at 6 p.m. at Plainsman Park
May 14: Nature Walk at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center at 8:30 a.m.
May 14: May Concert Series featuring SoulCo from 6-7:30 p.m. at Town Creek Park
May 16: Aviation Education Outreach Fly-In at the Auburn Regional Airport
May 16: 23rd Annual Fishing Rodeo from 8-11 a.m. at the Auburn Technology Park South Lake
May 17: 5K Trail Run, Tot Trot & Sunday Stroll at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center at 1 p.m.
May 17: Spring Art Show & open House at the East Lake Estates Model Home from 1-4 p.m.

For more information on these events and more, visit www.aotourism.com!