The premier tailgate experience for FIGHTING ILLINI Football, Grange Grove, will open this Saturday at 7 a.m. for the second football game day of the 2015 season.
Grange Grove has transformed what was previously Lot 36, the parking lot directly west of Memorial Stadium, into a FREE, high-energy tailgating area, which Fighting Illini fans of all ages can enjoy. Activities include inflatables, food trucks, live music, the Marching Illini and more. Fans also can welcome the team as they arrive to the stadium and take the Fighting Illini walk through Grange Grove at 8:30 a.m.
Fans can begin claiming their free space in Grange Grove beginning at 5pm today and running through 7pm tonight. Security will patrol the area overnight and will be on duty when the space opens at 7am Saturday morning.
In addition to setting up your own tailgate free of charge, fans and students can take advantage of Illinois' partnership with Tailgater Concierge to purchase individual tailgate packages that include tents, tables, chairs, and many other tailgate essentials. These packages can be delivered to Memorial Stadium, allowing fans to arrive at Grange Grove and enjoy their experience. Packages can be purchased through tailgaterconcierge.com. At this point, Tailgater Concierge is unavailable for September 12 but spots are still available for all of the remaining home football games.
For larger groups, the Fighting Illini group sales department is happy to coordinate an exceptional game day experience. For pricing and information about group hospitality tailgates, please call the Fighting Illini group sales department at 217-244-3212.
Illinois vs. WIU Links: Gameday Central | Game Notes | Fan Guide
Gameday Timeline | Illinois vs. WIU | September 12, 2015
7 am – Grange Grove Opens
8 am – @IlliniAthletics presents Pet Roxx + Mike Bray, Andy Mo along with Johnnie Mae and 90's Daughter (Galloping Ghost Main Stage in Grange Grove)
8:30 am – Marching Illini Drumline Performance in Grange Grove
8:45 am – FIGHTING ILLINI Walk in Grange Grove
9:30 am – WDWS / FIGHTING ILLINI Sports Network Pregame Show with Steve Kelly begins broadcasting live from outside Grange Grove Main Entrance (First Street)
10:26 am – FIGHTING ILLINI Starting Lineups
10:40 am – Marching Illini Pregame Show begins inside Memorial Stadium
10:53 am – Take the Field Video
10:54 am – Drumline leads FIGHTING ILLINI to the field, fireworks
10:56 am – National Anthem performed
10:58 am – Coin Toss with FIGHTING ILLINI and WIU game captains
11:00 am – Kickoff Video
11:01 am – Kickoff between FIGHTING ILLINI and Western Illinois
In-Game – On-field recognitions include crew members from the USS Illinois, FIGHTING ILLINI Women's Gymnastics, Women's Tennis, Swimming & Diving, Women's Basketball + Current and Former Men's Basketball student-athletes
Halftime – 2,000 area high school band members will perform along with more than 500 our the MARCHING ILLINI
Postgame – Grange Grove Postgame Party begins
10 pm – Grange Grove Closes
