GRANGE GROVE TAILGATING | TAILGATER CONCIERGE | FOOTBALL TICKETS

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The 2022 edition of Grange Grove, Illinois’ premier pregame tailgating location will once again be open with a full slate of entertainment planned for the season. Grange Grove features free public tailgating, live music, a kids’ zone, the Busey Bank Illini Sports Network pregame radio show and the best Illini gear and apparel at the Gameday Spirit store. Grange Grove opens each gameday at 7 a.m., and pregame entertainment begins three hours prior to kickoff.

This year’s live musical entertainment schedule has been set:

• Aug. 27 – Wyoming – Clayton Shay (Nashville, Tenn.) Garrett Biggs grew up in the cornfields of Central Illinois and performs Classic Rock and Country music.
• Sept. 10 — Virginia – Boat Drunks (Champaign, Ill.) In their 21^st year together, the Boat Drunks are known for their Jimmy Buffet-style performance of tangy, tropical rock and roll.
• Sept. 22 — Chattanooga – Land of Panda (Akron, Ohio) Funk, reggae rockers — From Prince and Jimi Hendrix to Bob Marley and Scientist, not forgetting Frank Zappa, each band member contributes something different to Land of Panda’s sound.
• Oct. 8 – Iowa – Matt Ferranti (Nashville, Tenn.) – Ferranti’s brings a style country fused with Detroit R&B combine sultry lyrics, clever hooks and personal storytelling.
• Oct. 15 — Minnesota – 90’s Daughter (Champaign, Ill.) Central Illinois’ Top Party Band singing the hits from the 80s, 90s, and today.
• Nov. 5 – Michigan State – Page Mackenzie (Charleston, S.C.) – From Fox’s hit reality show, The X-Factor, Mackenzie’s vocal ability flow as deep as her country roots.
• Nov. 12 – Purdue – Filthy Janes (Danville, Ill.) The Filthy Janes bring you classic rock with their own upbeat funky twist. They cover the music you love from the 60’s to the 90’s.

KIDS ZONE: In addition to live musical entertainment, each week Grange Grove will feature a Kids Zone with inflatable games, face painting, balloon artists and interactive science experiences with the Gameday Genomics from the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology.

PREGAME RADIO SHOW: Fans can listen to the Busey Bank Illini Sports Network Illinois football pregame radio show live in Grange Grove as Brian Barnhart, Steve Kelly and Martin O’Donnell preview the day’s game and interview expert guests.  The official network pregame show begins one hour prior to kick with WDWS’s local show hosted by Scott Beatty. Radio show action comes on the air two hours prior to kick.

GRANGE GROVE TAILGATING: Grange Grove will be open from 5 PM to 7 PM the night before each game to allow fans to set up any tailgate items in advance. Tailgaters will be able to pull up on the north side of the lot (Lot 36) and drop-off their items. Vehicles will not be allowed inside Grange Grove at any time. Students will be directed to the north section and public will be directed to the south section.

Spaces will be limited to approximately 15’x15′ to allow room for everybody. Personal tailgating tents and awnings must be 10’x10′ or smaller. Tailgating on sidewalks or walkways is prohibited and no electrical power will be provided. Security will monitor the area overnight; however, any items set up in the lot are left at the risk of the owner.

HASSLE-FREE TAILGATING: Fans can now arrive at Memorial Stadium to a fully set up tailgate, complete with tent, tables, chairs, and optional catering, TVs and beverages. Tailgater Concierge offers four different tailgate sizes and price points, and tailgates can be booked for the entire season as well as per game. Tailgates will be in Grange Grove and will get first option of placement prior to the general public accesses the area the night before the game.

• Field Goal – 1-10 Tailgaters, 10×10 premium space
• Touchdown – 11-20 Tailgaters, 10×20 premium space
• Safety – 21-34 Tailgaters, 15×20 premium space
• Championship – 35-50 Tailgaters, 20×25 premium space
• Groups of 50+ can customize tailgates in Lot 31, Grange Grove or other group areas, with the purchase of 50 or more tickets.

Tailgater Concierge will provide the tailgate equipment, handle the set-up and take-down, and have staff available on-site to help with anything else fans may need.