0When we drove into Auburn on Thursday afternoon there was not only a lot of traffic, but a definite celebratory atmosphere. Most people, including children and even infants were dressed in the distinctive orange and blue Auburn University colours. Cars sported Auburn University stickers, license plates and many had AU flags flying from their car windows. Homes were decorated in Auburn colours. We knew something was up and soon found out that the biggest university football game in the country was to take place on Saturday. People had arrived as early as Tuesday to stake out their tailgate spots, RVs were parked everywhere and football fans had traveled a long way to see this game, whether live at the 87,000seat stadium, at their tailgate site set up complete with flat screen tv, generator and lots of food, or at the many private parties being held in the homes of a town staunchly behind their Auburn Tigers, who were playing the number one team in the country, and arch rivals, Alabama.
On game day we walked downtown to experience the football frenzy. The atmosphere was truly electric. There were thousands of tailgate parties happening, thousands of families dressed in orange and blue, and thousands of people chanting "War Eagle". Since we were wearing our Auburn t shirts, we fit in nicely and knew to respond to the "war eagle" greeting with "war eagle". I had my picture taken with two complete strangers who were dressed in their finest Auburn Tiger garb.
We watched the game on tv with some diehard fans. I found myself caught up in the excitement and responding to Auburn's upset win over Alabama with loud cheers and high fives. As is an Auburn tradition, much toilet paper was strewn over specially built wires at the main intersection of the town. Up until late last year the tissue was strewn over a very special tree but unfortunately an Alabama fan poisoned the tree and it had to be taken down. That guy has apparently served time for the crime.
Although much of the town partied until late into the night, I was in bed by 10, having had enough excitement for one day!
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