Bringing the tailgate home to East Park

The first Husker football game was an anticipated event for all across the state of Nebraska, none more so than residents of East Park Villa. 
Thursday evening the staff hosted the facility’s first-ever tailgate. 
Laurie Andrews, East Park administrator, wanted to recapture the exciting atmosphere visitors would feel as they step into Memorial Stadium.
“Our intent is to provide the residents with activities they have done in the past,” Andrews explained. “We want them to be able to have them enjoy those same types of activities now, even after they moved into East Park Villa.”
Nicole Nelson, activities director, was among the staff to help bring the event to life as if the residents were there at the game.
Residents had the opportunity to relive the energy associated with the spirit of Memorial Stadium (though the Huskers season opener was in Minnesota) from the food vendors shouting ‘Hot dogs!’ and ‘Pizza!’ played by the kitchen staff to having a real performance of cheers and music played by the Aurora High School cheerleaders and pep band.
“I thought it was a great success,” Nelson commented. “We had probably 90 percent of our residents in attendance.”
Nelson was impressed with how cheerleaders and pep band members dedicated time to perform for the residents before the Huskies home volleyball game taking place on the same night.
“They exceeded our expectations,” she stated.
The staff wanted to bring tailgating to the residents because no matter at home or in the stadium, Husker football means one thing.
“Husker football is a Nebraska tradition,” Nelson said. “It seems like this generation absolutely loves Husker football, volleyball, and basketball. It’s just a tradition for them and that’s why they like it.”
Nelson expressed how thankful she was to the staff for helping bring Memorial Stadium closer to home.
Both Nelson and Andrews plan to bring more tailgates for the residents for years to come.
Unfortunately, the night ended on a sour note for Husker Nation, as the Big Red lost in all too familiar fashion, falling to the Golden Gophers 13-10 on a last-second field goal.