Join the Auburn Family on Nov. 1 in the Gay Street Parking Lot for the Auburn vs. Ole Miss game on the big screen. Festivities begin at 5 p.m followed by a 6 p.m kickoff. Admission is free and open to the public.
This is an event for the entire family. Kids can enjoy inflatables while hot dogs and hamburgers will be available for purchase through on-site vendors. Downtown restaurants offer take out perfect for family dinner during the game.
Guests can begin arriving at 5 p.m in order to secure a spot and are encouraged to bring tailgate chairs and blankets.
Meg Rainey, public relations specialists for parks recreation, said the Gay Street Parking Lot has been a great place to host several downtown events.
The location is perfect for traffic flow and large enough to sustain a crowd. The Auburn Vs. Kansas State screening hosted 300 people, and it is hoped this event will attract more, Rainey explained in an interview.
Auburn Downtown shops will not be extending hours, but the business impacts on local restaurants will be substantial according to Sarah Brown, owner of Wrapsody.
"It's hard being a business owner when the games are away," Brown said. "All the business leaves, but with an event like this we are able to get that back."
However, not everyone agrees that these events help increase business.
Matthew Casey is a bartender at both Halftime and The Hound Bar & Restaurant.
"If anything business decreases because there is less parking," Casey said.
When people who attend these events go to watch the game. If they want to watch the game and drink they go the bar Casey explained.
Still according to Brown the City of Auburn has worked really hard to make these events profitable for downtown businesses.
"It's been a great having the events on Gay Street," Brown said. "I attend the Kansas State showing with my family and we really enjoyed it, and the restaurants were kept busy."
Because the event is part of the downtown entertainment district, any alcoholic beverages bought at the downtown dinning locations are allowed inside the event, however, outside glass containers and alcohol are not.
Toomer's Corner is just a walk away, providing the ideal game day location according to Rainey.
"We've taken care of all the tailgating needs," Rainey said. "It's a great opportunity to come downtown with the family shop, eat, and enjoy the game."
Sponsors of the event include Satellite & Electronic Innovations, The Tailgate Guys & The Event Group and Summit Graphics.
The event is also made possible by the downtown businesses such as Tiger Rags, who is providing shakers to the first 200 guests.
Anyone interested in more information should contact Meg Rainey with Parks and Recreation at (334)-501-2930.
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