<p>I know this was briefly discussed several months ago, but seeing as we are less than 2 weeks from Parents' Weekend, I thought it would be a good idea to bring it up again.</p>
<p>My mom and I will be wandering around during the football tailgate, and she'll be going to a class with me and some sessions of Friday. We won't be tailgating at a specific location, but would love to meet up with our other CC friends at some point in time during the day. Anyone else willing to meet, or with any ideas of when and where?</p>
<p>Starting early Saturday morning before the game, October 11, I'm going to be with family and friends at a tailgate in McCarthy Quad right next to Parking Structure X (near the New/North dorm.) I have a USC canopy. I'll hang up a sign that says, "College Confidential."</p>
<p>If anyone is by that area, please stop and say hi. Hope to see you and your mom again, Nikara!</p>
<p>Can you experienced Parents' Weekenders give us an idea of the schedule for Saturday? What time do parents start to arrive? Is parking available and where? What time does the official game start this year--it is not printed on the tickets. I've read the official tailgate parties start 3 hours prior, is that correct? Do people come earlier and/or later? Any tricks or tips to help us navigate the day?</p>
<p>In addition, does everyone wear USC-wear?? LOL! Quick--I'll need to go shopping.</p>
<p>I'll look for you cc411--that is if I can find my way around! Would love to meet Nikara and mom also.</p>
<p>Kick off for the game is 12:30PM. Some arrive as early as 6AM to set up (wait till you see what some people bring to their tailgates!) But don't arrive after about 11AM. It's hit and miss what will be open depending on when you arrive. I get there early (probably close to 7AM) so I hope to get a spot in Parking X which fills very early. Other lots close as they get full. Print a map of the area so you will know where the parking lots are. It really doesn't matter which lot you find because you will be doing lots of walking regardless. You can also park at Staples Center and take a shuttle.</p>
<p>Yes, wear a USC shirt- most wear cardinal. If you don't want to buy one, just wear red. Jeans are usually the norm- very casual. Right now it is very hot (80's) but the temp is expected to drop by next week- (70's?) You probably won't need a jacket unless we get some extreme weather- maybe just a sweatshirt or light cover for early morning or evening.</p>
<p>Since most parents' tickets are way up in the nose-bleed section, if you like to watch the sights other than the game, bring binoculars. </p>
<p>For your first time, just arrive as early as you can so you have lots of time to walk around and see how others tailgate. This is the one day of the year I get to see my son's apartment so hopefully he's starting to clean up now! (Are you reading this, S?)</p>
<p>Thanks for the details - I couldn't find the game time anywhere. For those of us planning to attend the USC-provided tailgate party, do you have any idea what time that would start if kickoff is at 12:30? (maybe it's a breakfast, not a barbeque??) When do people tend to leave campus to walk over to the game? Also, does anyone know how to get details of the shuttles from downtown (near the Westin, ideally)? </p>
<p>Great idea to have your CC sign, CC411! I'll definitely wander by at some point. </p>
<p>So what's everyone doing Friday night? Is the play the thing?</p>
<p>I'd like to make another recommendation for Parents Weekend. If you are arriving early on game day anyway, go to the marching band rehearsal at Cromwell track stadium, which is next to Heritage Hall and behind the PE building. That's the only time you will get to see the pregame and halftime shows up close and without crowd noise. Just wander into to the stadium and take a seat. There will be lots of other spectators. Bring a newspaper to sit on as the stands are always wet with dew in the morning.</p>
<p>Just announced this week: the October 11, 2008 USC vs. Arizona State kickoff time is 12:30 pm.
The Tailgate picnic will begin at 9:30 am and is located in Alumni Park. Please enter the picnic through the entrance on Trousdale Parkway. Before entering the picnic, you will exchange your tickets for wristbands that will be placed on each ticket holder. Once you have a wristband, you may enter the picnic. The tailgate picnic will close at 12:15pm.</p>
<p>Looking forward to seeing you again, Nikara- and anyone else who can stop by. I just packed my car with chairs, table, bbq, ice chest, canopy.... Staying the night downtown Friday and driving to campus EARLY Saturday. Can't wait!</p>
<p>I hope some of you got to meet up. I looked for your tent, CC411, but it was like the needle in the haystack :) The pre-game scene was just amazing for a first-timer; I'm so glad we went. And cynicalowl, the Trojan Band was a highlight! You guys are terrific, and I loved the parade over to the Coliseum. The only bad thing was that parents were seated right next to the ASU band, so we got to hear more of them than the Trojans during the game.</p>
<p>I thought it was impossible to look for anything. I have to admit, I love the USC vs Ohio State game more than the USC vs ASU. It was much more exciting. It was good to see one real game in person though.</p>
<p>FauxNom- I'm so sorry you couldn't find me! I had a "College Confidential" sign in front and I was along-side Parking Structure X in McCarthy Quad. But you are right, it was like a needle in a haystack- there were probably 20 canopies squished in my same area! I really enjoy looking out at the sea of Cardinal everywhere. There were some ASU fans right next to us and a nearby party kept playing the USC fight song. When the part came where we yelled "Beat the Sun Devils!", they would yell "Beat The Spread!" (Football fans will understand that.)</p>
<p>Nikara and her mom stopped by. She is one REALLY bright student- we are VERY lucky to have her here on these boards. </p>
<p>It WAS pretty crazy- now you can say you survived a Parents Weekend Football Tailgater and Game!</p>
<p>Oh, cc411, I must confess I have no sense of direction whatsoever. Once we hit campus I'm afraid I didn't even try to find you. So sorry! I was overwhelmed with the great vibe of the huge crowd of Trojans and dizzy in the sea of cardinal and gold. I'm lucky I had my son to lead me to Alumni Park for the official parents tailgate picnic, or I'd still be wandering around campus.</p>
<p>Sorry I didn't meet Nikara so I could thank her in person for all her terrific and informative posts We are so fortunate to have cc411 and Nikara here to guide us.</p>
<p>I did get to see FauxNom and her family at the picnic before the game, which was extremely cool. It was only 9 months ago that she and I were strangers from different states posting to this forum on cc, wondering if our boys might be accepted to USC Film School. To see them both on Parents Weekend, now friends, and having such a great time at college, made both these moms' hearts pretty darn happy.</p>
<p>I'm glad to hear that people had a good time at parents weekend! Thanks for all of your kind words, everyone! I enjoyed getting to see CC411 again. Sorry that I missed out in seeing everyone else. Game days are truly overwhelming on campus. Even though this was my Mom's fourth year, she was still amazed at how crazy our campus was.</p>