Make A Day Out of the 2013 Spring Game

 

Lexington has a lot of great traditions that are unique and specific to the area. Nowhere else in the country opens up basketball season quite like Kentucky does at Big Blue Madness. Nobody drinks bourbon and watches horses quite like Kentuckians do at Keeneland in the fall and spring meets, either. This year, there is a buzz of excitement about the UK spring football game. Many schools have established traditions of packing stadiums for their spring scrimmage in April, but the event has never really caught on as a major event in Kentucky. The arrival of Mark Stoops and the new staff and players that have come along with him have changed that, and for the first time I can remember, the spring football game has the potential of being a major event in Lexington.

Just as Kentucky calls their first official basketball practice event “Big Blue Madness”, several schools around the SEC have names for their spring games. For example, Georgia’s spring game is called “G-Day” and Florida’s spring game is dubbed the “Orange and Blue Debut”. I’m not sure of a catchy name to call the UK spring game, but I do know of a few things you can do this Saturday to enhance your experience and start a new Kentucky tradition:

 

1. Start your morning tailgate at Keeneland and take the shuttle back to campus. Yes, you heard that right. There will be a shuttle that will go back and forth between Keeneland and the corner of University and Cooper all day long. Just find yourself a ride to Keeneland in the morning and you are all set for a responsible day of fun.

 

2. After blowing too much money at Keeneland, attend the UK baseball game at 2 pm vs Tennessee. You can even stand out on the party deck, or stand on the top of your truck bed, and watch the game for free while continuing to drink the beverages of your choice.

 

3. After the baseball game, catch up with your friends for a private tailgate or join in on public festivities such as the UK Alumni Association tailgate from 5-7.