Bill and I rode our bikes from the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trailhead in Santa Clara to Levi Stadium two hours before kick off. When Bill extended the invitation to ride our bikes there, I was someone hesitant to ride among the masses of fans attending the event. But, it was almost effortless and loads of fun. The people watching alone, was a kick.
While the game itself is almost always the main event, the pre game festivities are a gas. The name "Tailgate" party comes to mind, relating to a group of fans who congregate together to engage in pre game activities. Sometimes it "is" the main event depending on whether or not you have tickets to the game. Of course not everyone has a flatbed truck or RVs to set up. Yet, there were plenty of people we saw on the way to the stadium that where wheeling coolers on foot. The greatest aspect of this cherished ritual is the steadfast optimism that that no matter the odds against them, their team still has a chance to win. Regrettably, while the 49ers were ahead at the beginning they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 44 to 23. It doesn't take away that people had fun at this colorful event.
The social aspect is amazing. The most die hard tailgaters welcome fans with open arms even if they are from the opposing team. People were barbecuing and drinking up a storm, playing music (see and hear my short video)! There were other forms of entertainment including a corn hole setup, football throwing, and a table for beer pong to pass the time before kickoff. Almost everyone was wearing a 49er shirt and cap including Bill. There was one cool dude with a read shirt with Montana inscribed on the back, on his custom metalic blue Harley with his girlfriend holding on behind him. Everybody was there to have a good time and as far as we could see the mission was accomplished.
