<p>WHAT, FauxNom, you are a Fall admit? When did this happen? Congratulations!</p>
<p>my d is an adult so that's why I can't take a risk of getting just one bed.</p>
<p>Thanks Bmom! I'm glad to be joining you guys!</p>
<p>does anyone know how Holiday Inn or Millenium Biltmore are? Will they be okay to stay at for the weekend?</p>
<p>To bmom: I have not stayed in any of the downtown hotels. Do you have a special rate for the Holiday Inn or Millenium Biltmore? Did you check Tripadvisor.com?</p>
<p>Tojan Parents Weekend
Online registration is now open. You can register for the weekend and buy football tickets.</p>
<p>Do we need to buy a tailgate ticket for our student?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do we need to buy a tailgate ticket for our student?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>And is the tailgate party worth it? Why or why not?</p>
<p>Here is the quote from the Football/Tailgate FAQ:</p>
<p>"IF YOUR STUDENT IS ATTENDING THE TAILGATE PICNIC,
YOU MUST PURCHASE A TICKET FOR HIM/HER."</p>
<p>I also had the same question about the football game and found this:</p>
<p>"Do I have to buy a football ticket for my student?
If you want your USC student to sit with you in the reserved parent seating, you must purchase a football ticket for him/her. Students may enter the game if they have pre-purchased a student season ticket, but they will be seated in the student section."</p>
<p>I did the tailgate party with my mom my freshman year, and while it was nice, it was rather overpriced for me. We prefer bringing our own food to tailgate, which is much cheaper and somewhat easier.</p>
<p>Golly, this is turning out to be expensive. I had no idea it would be $500 (BEFORE transportation and hotel!) to attend the parent weekend with my husband and two younger kids. I don't know if we can do it.</p>
<p>Nikara - Sorry to get so micro, but can you expand a bit on the tailgate options? If you buy the ticket, is it a fabulous spread + drinks for the 21+ crowd, or is it your basic burger and salad? If you bring your own picnic, are you exiled to a different area, or can you mingle with the paying guests? I noticed there are group tailgate sites for the Greeks, plus the Pres/Trustee scholars. Have you had any experience tailgating with the scholars, and would you recommend that? </p>
<p>Alamemom - have you thought about registering just one parent but not the rest of the family? That would save you a bit, along with bringing your own tailgate picnic. Looking at the schedule, it doesn't seem like there are so many events that are strict about the RSVP/registering thing, and it sounds like there will be lots to do outside those events.</p>
<p>We're not buying our S a football ticket; he is quite clear that he will want to sit in the student section, no matter how much he's missed us ;)</p>
<p>I truthfully don't remember much about the food options, although I seem to remember that there were both breakfast and dinner options. I know we weren't particularly impressed by the food, but that was three years ago. Maybe someone on here has been more recently. </p>
<p>If you bring your own food, you eat elsewhere on campus, but you certainly won't be alone. There will be many, many people everywhere tailgating with their own Barbecues etc. I was with the scholars, but there weren't all that many that I knew there. The tailgate definitely felt like it was ruled by the greeks. It can be a nice experience, and again, I don't know how it has changed over the last few years.</p>
<p>Well, I guess I'm in a "When you're in Troy..." sort of mood. I have heard great stories of how much fun the whole tailgating/pregame partying is at SC and so I'm jumping in with both feet. Bought tickets to everything. Will encourage my 2 sons to indulge their dear Ma in a big embrace of all things Trojan. It certainly does add up to a lot of $$ but, especially after the warm welcome at Orientation, I find it hard to resist.</p>
<p>And perhaps we can plan a CC USC Family meeting that weekend?</p>
<p>FauxNom, what do you mean by registering just one parent but not the rest of the family? Then only one parent can attend the events, right? </p>
<p>Can someone comment what are the must dos? </p>
<p>Do you need a car for the tailgate party?</p>
<p>Thanks Nikara - you always have helpful info.</p>
<p>madbean - When in Troy - lol!!! I think a CC gathering is definitely in order. We were all laughing today about how funny it will be for our family to actually go to a tailgate party. That's very big around here, but we've never even come close to sharing that experience with the die-hard Husky fans. This is our chance to take on a whole new persona!</p>
<p>bmom - I don't think you need a car if you're attending the Trojan parent version of a tailgate. But here, the serious tailgaters take RV's, not mere cars! As for registering just one person (out of 4), I was just thinking there aren't that many events that look like must-do things. We won't arrive until noon Friday, though, so it might be different if you made it a point to get there in time to attend the breakfast and lunch on Friday, plus the various lectures. For me, it's all about the football (and seeing my DS, of course!).</p>
<p>Fight on :)</p>
<p>Tailgating at USC- you do not need a car. Most people picnic around the campus where ever they can find space. The Tailgate Party advertised for Parents Weekend is burger (or sandwich?- can't remember for sure), chips, cookie, and drink. It is good for those who don't want to bring their own food. </p>
<p>On the other end of the spectrum, you have some incredible parties going on. Some people bring their entire kitchen and living room: satellite TVs, stereo systems, full gas BBQs, gourmet food, USC decorations, etc.</p>
<p>On the low-key end, we get there as early as possible, set up a picnic area with a canopy and chairs and bring an ice-chest food and drinks. Our kids come by and eat with us but they usually like to roam around and say hi to other friends as well. </p>
<p>One easy way to do it is eat at the Parents Weekend Tailgate then wander around campus and look at all the other parties- it's quite an experience.</p>
<p>Last year at Parents Weekend, I got to meet Nikara and her mother!</p>
<p>You know, at the risk of coming across as completely ignorant (though I have an excuse of not being originally American lol), I don't have a clue what a Tailgate party is. Is this a football tradition of some sort?</p>
<p>Also I'm all for the CC gathering, since you guys obviously need to educate me, and since I'll be coming to the Parent weekend alone.</p>
<p>The term "tailgate" originated from when people used to show up early to games, open the back of their tailgate on their truck or van for seating (the kind of door that flips down), and have a party before the game started. Some people actually have BBQ's that attach to the tailgate on a truck. </p>
<p>It has become a tradition at many school games and professional sports games. It can take on many different forms from a traditional tailgate in the parking lot, to a picnic on the grass, to a large BBQ.</p>
<p>Sequoia, for a start on your research into this cultural phenomenon, might I suggest checking out Wikipedia Tailgate</a> party - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p>
<p>Basically, it's sports fans + beer + grills = team spirit. The fun is how outrageous some groups get in elevating their parking lot picnic into an all-out event. Think a Martha Stewart gala on a patch of asphalt. At USC I believe they use greens and quads on campus and certain clubs, fraternities and alumni groups have their own tents and elegant menus and traditions before every home game.</p>
<p>Like FauxNom, our family has never been involved in tailgating or even going to football games, but we, too, are inspired to jump in.</p>
<p>Oh, thanks cc411 and madbean! Now I also understand why bmom asked whether a car was necessary, and your RV comment, madbean. And to think I actually do have a tailgate to sit on, but I don't think USC would be too happy with my driving up on the lawns.
Sounds like a ton of fun!</p>