Issue date: 10/2/09 Section: The Verge

Grilled grub decorates a fold out table filling the air with meaty aromas as a family tailgates at last fall's first football game in September. Eastern will host tailgating parties for Family Weekend.(Robbie Wroblewski/The Daily Eastern News File Photo)

In preparation for Eastern's Family Weekend, the University Board in collaboration with Student Community Service and Eastern's athletic department, will be holding the Pre-Game Panther Picnic before the football game on Saturday.

The Pre-Game Panther Picnic starts at 11 a.m. in the tailgate area next to O'Brien Field. The Eastern Illinois-Eastern Kentucky football game starts at 1:30 p.m. at O'Brien Field, and there is no cost for attending the event for students.

The event is going to be located on the west side of O'Brien Field and will stretch into the grass areas, which surrounds the west side.

Keeping true with the "picnic" theme, there will be sack lunches sold by Charleston-based restaurant What's Cookin, at the Housing Tent. The Pre-Game Panther Picnic had a different name last year, but this year's event will once again try to build upon the tailgating experience that has been established in past years.

Some of the attractions at this year's event includes Billy's Backyard/Parents Club tent, President Bill Perry's Tent, Housing Tent, The Panther Nation Tent, the Gateway Tent and the Corporate Tent.

Some of the activities at the Pre-Game Panther Picnic include face-painting booths, a mechanic bull, water tattoos, three inflatable jump houses, a magic show by Dennis Watkins of Chicago and an opportunity to play a Nintendo WII and XBOX 360. Drawings are also scheduled at the tents to give attendees the chance to win prizes.

The EIU Parents Club is providing the mechanical bull, while Charleston's True Value will be sponsoring the inflatable fun houses.

Interim Director of Student Services Rachel Fisher said that one of the bigger attractions in the past has been the opportunity for students and parents alike to come and try their skill at riding a mechanical bull.

"I definitely say that students should come out and try their luck at the mechanical bull," Fisher said. "The guys that run the mechanical bull are really good about making things interesting for students that come out and think they can easily ride a mechanical bull.

If students think that they are going to come out and just handle the mechanical bull, they just might be in for a surprise."

Other activities going on at the Pre-Game Panther Picnic include a beer garden, which is in conjunction with WEIU, a football toss game provided by the Army and music provided by the EIU marching band.

With all the activities and organizations going on at the Pre-Game Panther Picnic it is important to understand how these types of events get put together.

Ryan Gilmore, director of marketing and promotions for the Eastern sports department , said that the idea for Billy's Backyard came from numerous discussions between Gilmore's department and Fisher's departments.

"Last year, we were really looking for a way to connect our two organizations and create some synergy between us, so we finally came to the idea of putting something together that could be enjoyable for people of all ages," Gilmore said. "We started with the mechanical bull and some fun houses and since then it really has begun to grow."

The growth of Billy's Backyard has started, yet the cost for the event remains at less than $1,000.

Gilmore said while last year's tailgating event had more of a mature focus (beer garden) to it, this years event has been given a special emphasis on creating a family friendly environment.

"This year, we really wanted to have more of a family atmosphere and do something for the kids," Gilmore said. "We wanted to create some alternative opportunities to the students. Obviously, the beer garden is out there for the students that want to do that, but we also wanted to give everyone else the opportunity to come out and enjoy some interesting activities."

Student Body President Michelle Murphy said she was especially excited to see the finished product of the Pre-Game Panther Picnic.

"I'm excited to see all the little kids and their families that are going to be coming out to the event," Murphy said. "My parents and sisters are coming down to the event, so it certainly will be a day filled with things to do."

Gilmore said he hopes the Pre-Game Panther Picnic shows that a tailgating event is much more than just about football.

"I really hope that people leave the event saying 'Wow, I can't wait to the next one,'" Gilmore said.

Neil Schneider can be reached at 581-7942 or jnschneider@eiu.edu.

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