A Football Tailgate at Dusk, at the University of Nevada, Reno

Nothing is more "American" in some ways than the college tailgate party. At the University of Nevada, Reno, fans park in nearby residential areas, up on sidewalks, or in otherwise no parking areas, with no fear of any police action. They walk down to the stadium area excitedly, where already parked vans hoist Battle Born and Stars and Stripes flags high in the air. Beer flows, meat is grilled, cell phone pictures are taken, cornhole is played, kids roam free, favorite team shirts are worn, old alumni and friends meet again, families bond, drunken hugs happen, radio stations do their promotions. Here is an outsider's view of one recent tailgate.