I am bringing the whole family down (7 strong!) for the opener this Saturday.
Three of my crew are young girls (12yrs, 12yrs, and 9yrs. - I know, God help me...).
I had thought of coming down a few hours early, expecting that there will be some family-style activities for the grand re-opening of Nippert / season opener, but I haven't researched to know this for sure.

Can any of you tell me if there are any activities scheduled by UC, or should I just plan on arriving closer to game time?

I don't think my kids would be that entertained by hanging out in the tailgating areas.

I have to plan correctly, because if the girls get bored before the game even starts, it will be trouble for me.

Thanks in advance for any advice / info anyone can give me.

As usual they will have the Bearcat Fan Zone that is like 2:30 hours before game time. Not exactly sure where it is located at the moment, but I would guess checking out the http://www.nippert2015.com will have the information.

Instead of bedtime prayers last night, I taught my 3yo daughter "Down the Drive". God'll understand.

Family Tailgate Zone will be next to The Grid this year. They should have a good time there. Grid will have tailgating. The Grid opens 4 hours prior to kickoff. I am not certain when the Family Zone opens, assuming same time as Grid. Cat Walk will run through this area 2 1/2 hrs prior to game time. I think they would enjoy seeing the Cat Walk.

From Nippert2015.com:

Gameday Timeline

Outside Stadium
Hours:Minutes Before Kickoff
2:20 Lindner Center Ticket Office Opens
2:20 Parking Lots Open
2:20 Bearcats Fan Zone Opens
2:20 CATWALK on Sigma Sigma Commons
1:30 Gates Open – Nippert Stadium

Inside Stadium
Minutes:Seconds Before Kickoff
20:00 Skydivers Enter Nippert Stadium
18:00 UC Marching Band On Field
5:30 Intro Video On Video Board
4:00 Bearcats Take The Field

Parking lots open 2:20 before kickoff.....lololol!!!

Parking lots better be open at 3pm. Otherwise, I am making my own spot.

Thanks for the info everyone.

Any suggestions for parking spots for this out of towner? Planning on getting down there around 4:30.

(09-04-2015 12:16 AM)Billy_Bearcat Wrote:  Any suggestions for parking spots for this out of towner? Planning on getting down there around 4:30.

I have found the Stratford garage across the street from McMicken Hall to be typically mostly empty, very conveniently located to the stadium, and very easy to enter and exit.

I almost hate telling anyone about it.

Thanks BUC. Next time maybe try code talk

(09-03-2015 09:46 AM)Jchuges7 Wrote:  From Nippert2015.com:

Gameday Timeline

Outside Stadium
Hours:Minutes Before Kickoff
2:20 Lindner Center Ticket Office Opens
2:20 Parking Lots Open
2:20 Bearcats Fan Zone Opens
2:20 CATWALK on Sigma Sigma Commons
1:30 Gates Open – Nippert Stadium

Inside Stadium
Minutes:Seconds Before Kickoff
20:00 Skydivers Enter Nippert Stadium
18:00 UC Marching Band On Field
5:30 Intro Video On Video Board
4:00 Bearcats Take The Field

Talk about a head slam on the desk way to start the day. This timeline is wrong.

Ticket office will open at noon tomorrow.
Parking lots will open 4 hours prior to kickoff every game.
Bearcats Fan Zone will open 4 hours prior every game.
Catwalk is 2:30 prior to kickoff every game.

Gates still open 90 minutes before kickoff? I want to walk around.

90 minutes is correct.

Thanks for all the info guys, but my pre-game festivities ended up being two hours of sitting in the Calhoun garage.

The kids enjoyed the hell out of that! (Sarcasm, in case you missed it).

got there at 4:30 no problems.

(09-06-2015 08:32 AM)namrag Wrote:  Thanks for all the info guys, but my pre-game festivities ended up being two hours of sitting in the Calhoun garage.

The kids enjoyed the hell out of that! (Sarcasm, in case you missed it).