Tailgaters flock to Auburn to prepare for annual Iron Bowl showdown between the Tigers and the Tide
Tailgaters have arrived at Auburn University to camp out in preparation for Saturday night’s Iron Bowl between the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Tailgaters representing both teams say they believe they have the best tailgating in the Southeast and preparation for the big event is they say is proof of it here. Some say they’ve been coming to the game each year for more than a decade.
Blake Norrell from Auburn says his group is called The Tiger Prowler, and they’ve got 10 or 12 core members that have been tailgating together since 2011 right across the street from the entrance to Jordan-Hare Stadium. He says they invite other people, including Alabama fans, and they’re expecting a boatload of people stopping by to say hello, getting a drink or something to eat and having fun long before kickoff.
“It’s huge,” Norrell told Action 8 News. “I think that’s what delineates the SEC from other conferences you know, we really we know how to do it. A a lot of work goes into it of course, but like I said, a great group of folks that help out you know, we’ve been blessed to be down here and really extend our friend groups making more friends as the years have gone by. It’s been fantastic.”
“Here it’s the most welcoming people, but people are just the nicest. There’s going to be a ton of games, even the games today, with Auburn, Alabama, not playing everybody is still here trying to have a great time cooking out food. There is going to be a few bands playing tonight. I know it’s very exciting,” Alabama tailgater Connor Gary said.
“There’s a lot of preparation that goes into this,” Auburn tailgater Tara Anderson said. “We’ve been here for a week and a half now to get this spot, and so all of the spots out here are covered, but it’s funny, we’ve gotten to know all of the people in the spot as well, so we are all friends and we’re always doing stuff for each other you know, you need this, you need that, somebody has got your back.”
The Iron Bowl kicks off at 6:30PM CST Saturday. You can watch the game exclusively on ABC 32.
