Unique Penn State Football Experience

The weather did not exactly hold off for homecoming weekend in Happy Valley. The earliest snow fall in State College history blanketed the entire region starting on Thursday. Things then became more interesting as a text message was issued out from the university announcing that Penn State's vast grass tailgating areas were closed for this game due to the unfrozen ground and snow that caused some serious muddy conditions.

Lucky the university had a plan B for the situation. Local business and shuttle buses offered their services to make the game day happen, after all it was homecoming. And despite the obstacles the tailgaters still found their way in to the fray. It was an odd sight seeing throngs of people grilling and playing drinking games in the Target parking lot.

Fortunately we were staying only a about a mile from the stadium and decided to have our tailgate indoors. Food, was in abundance. Lasagna, wedding soup, shredded roast beef and homemade peach pies where all part of the game-day line up. Beer was the main beverage of choice, cans of Miller Lite paired with bottles of Yeungling and Oktoberfest style beers.

The game started at 3:30 and was a statistical domination as Minnesota fans barely had much to cheer for. In the end Penn State prevailed 20-0. Despite the challenging conditions there still was around 100,000 people at the game.

Homecoming weekend welcomes back fans of all ages all of whom seemed to have descended upon State College bar scene. There plently lines and the bars where packed, but we still managed to have a great time at both Bill Pickles Tap Room ($5 pitchers) and the Dark Horse. By 2:00 AM it was time to grab a slice of pizza and let everyone else fight over the taxi's. By 2:45 cabs were looking for customers and we made our way home.

It was not a typical football weekend at Penn State however the snow and the situation seemed to have made the memories that much more vivid. Leaving town on Sunday the sun reemerged behind a the gray sky. As October returned the crowds along with the snow left town.