Grange Grove & Tailgating

#26      

CARPET

C
CARPET
JDHalfrack said:
Pennsylvania ave has a bunch of lots that are free. Depending on how early you get there, depends on how close you can park.
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Excellent information.

My son and I are planning to drive down from Chicago for the Western Michigan game.

This would be my sons first Illinois football game he is 30. Been to Notre Dame games a bunch. Champaign is a mystery to us.

Thank You for your keen insight. :illinois:
 
#27      

jrichisamazing

J
jrichisamazing
IlliniBubba said:
I can confirm there's going to be a beer garden this year in Grange Grove that will have beer for purchase. It'll be run by the same company that does concessions inside the stadium, and it'll be 21+ to get in. Last call will be about 30 minutes before kickoff.
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Any idea how much a beer will be? If it's reasonably priced then Grange Grove will be the place to be on gameday.
 
#28      

illveteran1

I
illveteran1
I don't think the beer will be anything outrageous at all, at least in terms of comparison to beer at other sport venues.
 
#30      

IlliniBubba

I
IlliniBubba
HuskerIllini said:
If they keep it at 5 dollars for a draw that should be pretty popular. Hopefully they don't price gouge.
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I don't know for sure, but I would expect $5-6 for a beer. Don't think this is necessarily a huge revenue driver - just another option to draw people to Grange Grove. Especially those who don't bring their own tailgate stuff, but just want to come and hang out before the game.
 
#31      

UI2009

UI2009
UI2009
jrichisamazing said:
Any idea how much a beer will be? If it's reasonably priced then Grange Grove will be the place to be on gameday.
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I heard a rumor they are $5. That's from someone with semi-insider info. 48 hours til we find out for certain though! Definitely plan on hitting that up.
 
#32      

blackdog

blackdog
Champaign
blackdog
HuskerIllini said:
If they keep it at 5 dollars for a draw that should be pretty popular. Hopefully they don't price gouge.
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Its not the only place you can get beer at Grange Grove so price gouging shouldn't even be an issue. If its too expensive people will just bring their own and forget the beer garden. Not the same as being inside the stadium.
 
#33      

DrewD007

DrewD007
Woodridge, IL
DrewD007
Exciting Additions to Grange Grove

A new feature of Grange Grove this year will be a covered beer garden. Illini fans can purchase $5 Coors Light inside the tent, so there will be no need to bring your own cooler!

All drinks purchased in the beer garden must remain inside the tent, and no outside drinks will be permitted inside the tent. The tent is open to Illini fans of all ages, but wristbands and ID checks will be required in order to purchase a beverage.

The beer garden will open three hours prior to kickoff and last call is 30 minutes before kickoff. The tent will close at kickoff.
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#34      

Glaze72

G
Woodridge, IL
Glaze72
Hello All:

This will be my first game down since the AZ State game in 2011. My brother and his daughter are coming over from the Springfield area. Quick question. Can you tell me what lots allow tailgating? He is going to bring a small grill and table so we can fix some brats before the game. I don't to waste his effort by parking in the wrong area.
 
#35      

Dan

Dan
Admin
Dan
Glaze72 said:
Hello All:

This will be my first game down since the AZ State game in 2011. My brother and his daughter are coming over from the Springfield area. Quick question. Can you tell me what lots allow tailgating? He is going to bring a small grill and table so we can fix some brats before the game. I don't to waste his effort by parking in the wrong area.
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Research Park should work Parking Map (pdf)
 
#36      

Second and Chalmers

S
Second and Chalmers
You guys, for real, Grange Grove is incredible.

Take advantage of this while you can. People are going to figure this out and swamp this thing sooner rather than later. A packed house that probably fills up the night before would be great for those people and for the football program, and I hope we reach that point soon, but for the time being there is simply nothing even close in Power Five football to being able to roll up at 10:30 AM on gameday to the corner of Kirby and First, unload your stuff from the car, walk into a massive lot immediately beside the stadium, easily find a nice shady spot under a tree, and tailgate to your heart's content all day FOR FREE.

Go take advantage of this folks. It's really fantastic. There's even a ton of food vendors around, so you could even just bring a case of beer and some folding chairs and hang out.
 
#37      

HuskerIllini

H
HuskerIllini
Second and Chalmers said:
You guys, for real, Grange Grove is incredible.

Take advantage of this while you can. People are going to figure this out and swamp this thing sooner rather than later. A packed house that probably fills up the night before would be great for those people and for the football program, and I hope we reach that point soon, but for the time being there is simply nothing even close in Power Five football to being able to roll up at 10:30 AM on gameday to the corner of Kirby and First, unload your stuff from the car, walk into a massive lot immediately beside the stadium, easily find a nice shady spot under a tree, and tailgate to your heart's content all day FOR FREE.

Go take advantage of this folks. It's really fantastic. There's even a ton of food vendors around, so you could even just bring a case of beer and some folding chairs and hang out.
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I think you are 100% correct. I have a feeling the GG will start to just blow up soon. If Nebraska had something like this it would be a waiting line a mile long.
 
#38      

Cubby Blue

C
Cubby Blue
Second and Chalmers said:
You guys, for real, Grange Grove is incredible.

Take advantage of this while you can. People are going to figure this out and swamp this thing sooner rather than later. A packed house that probably fills up the night before would be great for those people and for the football program, and I hope we reach that point soon, but for the time being there is simply nothing even close in Power Five football to being able to roll up at 10:30 AM on gameday to the corner of Kirby and First, unload your stuff from the car, walk into a massive lot immediately beside the stadium, easily find a nice shady spot under a tree, and tailgate to your heart's content all day FOR FREE.

Go take advantage of this folks. It's really fantastic. There's even a ton of food vendors around, so you could even just bring a case of beer and some folding chairs and hang out.
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Hey, Kirby here, and I like my corner too!:thumb:
 
#39      

Cubby Blue

C
Cubby Blue
chief2007 said:
Once you enter into the stadium you are not allowed to go into Grange Grove. If you want to have a beer and listen to the band go into Grange Grove before getting your ticket scanned at a different entrance.
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No innies, only outies huh?:D
 
#42      

Illinisteve25

Illinisteve25
Champaign
Illinisteve25
I would think Grange Grove will be packed by around 2pm this week due to the concert. So if you would like a spot make sure and come early!
 
#43      

t7nich

t7nich
Central IL
t7nich
Illinigirl said:
We walked over from our tailgating spot to watch the Illini walk at noon. I didn't see anyone in the beer tent then. When we came back at 1:45, there was a pretty decent crowd in there.
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That was about the time they ran out of beer.. With roughly 20 or 30 people in line. To their credit though, it didn't take long to bring in reinforcements.
 
#45      

HoopCity

HoopCity
Huntsville, AL
HoopCity

The beer garden at Grange Grove was an excellent idea. What doesn't make sense is the rule of having to stay in a designated area in the beer garden when all around this area people with byob is allowed. Why not allow people to leave the area ??

Dan, do you know who the band is that is scheduled to play Saturday in Grange Grove ?
 
#46      

Illinisteve25

Illinisteve25
Champaign
Illinisteve25
HoopCity said:
The beer garden at Grange Grove was an excellent idea. What doesn't make sense is the rule of having to stay in a designated area in the beer garden when all around this area people with byob is allowed. Why not allow people to leave the area ??

Dan, do you know who the band is that is scheduled to play Saturday in Grange Grove ?
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Jerrod Niemann, A popular country singer