The red-clad revelers are brilliant against the backdrop of fall leaves and afternoon sun. It is game day in Madison and Regent Street is absolutely pulsating with the sights and sounds of tailgating. Grills produce tantalizing scents, while school songs fill Badger hearts with pride.
Tailgating in Madison is a rich tradition, which, although done in the name of football, is really about coming together with friends and family. Pre-game parties allow students, alumni and community members the opportunity to reconnect with one another and have a great time.
'The people around you make the experience,' tailgater William Mensing said.
Of course, integral to the art of tailgating is the consumption of large amounts of liquor and charred lumps of meat doused in ketchup and mustard. The venues in which to imbibe these delicacies of game day are varied. The bars, house parties and parking lots each hold their own special allure.
The first option'and least arduous'is of course the Regent Street bars. Here, one can find a ready-made party complete with all the necessities'wisconsin songs, televised pre-game coverage and unlimited beer. The beer gardens of these venerable establishments overflow with students and alumni.
'Old guys drink just as much as young guys and get up just as early, too,' said Nate Ledine, manager of Lucky's Bar and Grille, 1421 Regent St. At the Annex bar, 1206 Regent St., live music adds to festivities and the Wisconsin drum line even makes a special appearance.
For students who are less financially endowed, however, the high prices bars charge on game days can be a turn-off. Instead, these fans head for the neighborhoods surrounding the stadium. House parties here generally charge $5 for unlimited beer. Plus, beer pong, beer bongs and bean bags lend to hours of pre-game entertainment.
On the corner of Chadbourne and Lathrop, Benjamin Hansen and roommates open their house each game day to friends, family and random fans off the street.
'It's just more fun for everyone,' said UW-Madison senior and Hansen's roommate Chris Whelpley.
As far as disadvantages go, the only thing to really be wary of is the bathroom, which will undoubtedly be toilet paper-free and in high demand.
Although it requires more planning for many alumni and community members, the parking lot tailgating party is not to be missed.
'It's a time to hang out with friends and bond,' said Chris Macias of Milwaukee, who plans his annual game day trip six months in advance.
Kathy Schleighlein and Diane Riedel, both of Madison, have been tailgating before every home game for the past 12 years. Their parking lot essentials include: a tent, full-sized flagpole and Bucky beer tap.
And do not think a little rain or snow is likely to stop these rabid Badger fans.
'We're like mailmen, here rain or shine,' Macias said.
Riedel and Schelighlein pride themselves on being the first ones in the parking lot and the last ones to leave. For them, Goldschlager and bonfires are the key ingredients for dealing with bad weather.
Last year Sports Illustrated on Campus rated UW-Madison's tailgating scene a nine on a 10-point scale, noting the heavily populated beer gardens and two-story beer bongs.
Visitors from other schools agree the Madison game-day experience is not one to be missed. 'I love how the whole town gets into it,' said Josh Berns, fifth-year senior from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
Brooks Harris, a graduate student at North Carolina A & T, said he was amazed by the school spirit.
'At my school, game days are like fashion shows but here everyone's like 'I don't care what I'm wearing as long as it's red.''
Standing in the beer garden of The Big Ten Pub, UW-Madison graduate Emily Reiss summed up the prevailing attitude of the day saying, 'To be a Badger fan is to be great.'
