Conflict with tailgating for home game, concert during away game, merits change
The South Carolina State Fair is an annual event that the whole community is encouraged to take part in. However, the schedule conflicts with the football games and leaves students unable to enjoy it all.
One of the headlining performances that the state fair managed to book this season was O.A.R.. This rock band has a large fan base among college students and many were thrilled upon hearing of their performance.
The concert was this past Saturday night, the same time as the USC vs. LSU football game. Even though this was an away game, it was crucial to our standing in the SEC and therefore a must-see for anyone who calls themselves a Gamecock fan.
Students were forced to choose between the two major events leading many of them to miss the concert.
If the concert had been scheduled earlier during the day or a different day altogether, there surely would have been a greater turnout. This would benefit the state fair because they would make more money on ticket sales while also allowing students to enjoy both the football game and the performances.
Another adverse effect on the students on gameday is the location of the state fair.
The fairgrounds are located uncomfortably close to Williams-Brice, making home games during the fair’s stay here difficult to navigate.
Football season is not only about the game itself, but also about the day-long tailgating experience leading up to it.
The fairgrounds is among the more popular tailgating spots near the stadium and students pay a fair price to guarantee them a spot for the seven home games.
Unfortunately, for at least one of the home games every year, students forfeit their spots in order for the preparation of the state fair to commence.
This year, this occurred on the most anticipated home game of the season, the Georgia game. Students were unable to tailgate at their prepaid spots, which is one of the highlights of gameday as a whole.
The fair did not begin until the following Wednesday, and while I am sure that the process of preparation for the fair is quite extensive, it would be more favorable if the preparations could be put on hold for one more day.
This would still allot three days to set up while allowing people access to their tailgating spots.
While I acknowledge that this conflict is by no means completely avoidable, I believe better attention to scheduling could prove beneficial to both football fans and fairgoers while allowing everyone to enjoy all that both events have to offer.
