Auburn is full of time-honored traditions on game day. The eagle flies around the stadium before kick-off while fans yell "Waaaaaaar EAGLE, HEY!" After a win, everyone walks to Toomer's Corner so they can roll the oak tree. The tradition a lot of people enjoy most, however, is tailgating before the game.

Tailgating has been a popular activity for decades. People park their trucks in a sports stadium's parking lot before the game. They drink, eat and enjoy time with friends while hanging around their open tailgates. Tailgating has grown tremendously in recent years though. For one thing, trucks aren't the majority vehicles anymore.

Cars without tailgates and people without cars joined the tailgate community. There's no need for a truck anymore. There are tents and tables that mark the tailgating spot. People bring speakers to blast music, also.

Tailgating games are a favorite activity among tailgaters. Attendees play games like corn hole or ladder golf. The object of corn hole is to toss a beanbag and land it through a hole in the other team's wood platform. The point-award system changes depending on individual games, but usually there's a reward for how close the bag comes. Ladder golf involves throwing a tethered ball toward horizontal bars of different heights. Points are awarded based on which bar is hit.

Some cater their tailgates with fancier food than the usual hot dogs and hamburgers. The purpose of all this is for groups to bond together and show their spirit before an event be it for a sports team or a musical group.

Auburn University tailgating is no different. Freshman share a tent with 60-year-old alums, parents of students are decked out in orange and blue. Everyone is full of school spirit and ready for the game.

Alpha Kappa Psi, the College of Business' professional fraternity, has a tailgate each year. Recent graduate and member of the fraternity Allison Martin says the club has a tailgate each year. Food is always provided for members, and Chick-Fil-A has catered in the past. Their tailgate is also used to fundraise for the fraternity. Funds are raised through bake sales or, when it's hot outside, popsicles.

The Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Club (PTOTC) hosted a tailgate in past seasons. Jodi Reynolds, former president of PTOTC, organized other events but the tailgate was her favorite.

"Sometimes it was just the officers that showed up," said Reynolds. "But it was a fun thing to do and it showed outsiders that we would be a good club to join."

Reynolds knows it is something they are going to continue.

The Office of Student Affairs, Career Development Services and Ralph Brown Draughton Library also host tailgates. They include the usual food, games and fun, but also offer attendees the opportunity to network or learn about other organizations.

Tailgating is a tradition that most would not think of when considering all the traditions of importance at Auburn University. It is definitely a gameday staple that's not going anywhere, though. Anything with games, food, music and good times must be something great, just ask anyone hanging around Jordan-Hare on a football Saturday.