Students and alumni from Arkansas State University organized a tailgate for the historic University of Arkansas versus A-State game on Saturday.

The event took place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Little Rock Zoo, with tables being set up and ticket booths in front of the gate. With the atmosphere buzzing for the game, there were catered lunches, stalls of snacks and beverages and a live concert. Over 3,000 alumni and students attended, including Todd Shields, A-State chancellor.

Lizzie Blair, a junior elementary education major from Marianna, Arkansas, said she enjoyed the tailgate. She said it’s exciting to experience the historic game and everything around it in real time.

“I think the reality of it happening has been kind of a shock and it’s exciting to see the

environment.,” Blair said. “I love the zoo environment. That’s been really interesting but we have been having a good time.”

Macy Wars, a first-year nursing major from Helena, Arkansas, came with Blair from Jonesboro excited to see the game and be a part of history.

Wars said she was excited the game finally happened after being talked about for a while. 

“It only happens once, we are excited to get to be a part of it,” Wars said. “I never really watched much A-State football growing up, but it has been really cool to get to experience this side of A-State, too.” 

Wars said that either way, Arkansas wins. 

“I feel like it’s kind of two divided sides. I think it’ll be fun for the whole state to experience that,” Wars said.

Daniel Delgadillo, a senior accounting major from Pachuca, Mexico has been a Red Wolf fan ever since he moved to Jonesboro 20 years ago. He said it was nice seeing all of the students at the tailgate come and support A-State.

Delgadillo said he was excited to see two universities in Arkansas finally playing against each other, something that does not happen often.

“I heard for years about the possibility of a game between the Red Wolves and Razorbacks and now that it is happening, it is a must to come and support A-State,” Delgadillo said.

While the Red Wolves ended up falling to the Razorbacks, fans from all over the state were able to come together and root for their favorite Arkansas team.

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