Tailgating has been a long-standing American tradition dating back to the 1800s when people gathered their carriages and picnic baskets to witness the first major battle of the Civil War, the First Battle of Bull Run. Since then, the practice has changed drastically over the decades, becoming a staple in pre-game rituals, especially for football. Against the backdrop of the mountains, Bloomsburg University tailgates look like the standard setup; dozens of decorated tents lining the parking spots, smoking grills tempting attendees with the smell of delicious barbeque and the sounds of laughter and conversation echoing off the walls of Redman Stadium. In a nearby field, the marching band can be heard rehearsing their pre-show performance as the cheer team chants and dances for onlooking tailgaters. Despite the smaller size of the campus, the turnout in Orange Lot still resembles a significant pre-game parking lot party. The purpose of tailgating goes beyond sports. It’s about uniting a community and creating found families through the love of sports. Bloomsburg may not bring in the crowds of Penn State “White Out” games but the people of Bloomsburg still come together every weekend for the sake of supporting our athletes in maroon and gold. Parents, students, residents of the town, alumni, cheerleaders and athletes of other sports teams attend these events, creating a school spirit spectacle of their own. Kimmy Wissinger, a junior secondary mathematics major and cheerleader, reflected back on her experiences cheering at the tailgates over the years, “the tailgate is the best time to interact with fans and families. My favorite part is getting to stop at each tent, it’s amazing to see such a community gathered in support of our team as well as the players. The culture is so unique to the football season, we all love the experience.”