'Such a big deal': Stillwater tailgating ramping up ahead of Game Day

STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR) — Orange and black fan gear was on display early in Stillwater Friday as tailgaters set up for Saturday's big game.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are set to take on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits inside Boone Pickens Stadium Saturday afternoon. Although kick off isn't until 1 p.m., lots of fans showed up hours ahead of time on Friday across the OSU campus to get their tailgating activities set up.

Plenty of tents and ropes lined the tailgating areas around the stadium as fans engaged in the usual competition to get the best spots. Some of them told News 4 that after years of getting their favorite spots, they noticed other fans coming out earlier and beating them to it. An OSU athletics spokesperson told News 4 spots are first come first served.

"There's just more and more people who have been showing up to try and do the tailgating thing," said OSU fan Chris Franklin. "There were already people in our normal spots."

Franklin said he's proud to see the increased interest over the years in what the Cowboys have to offer, and thinks head coach Mike Gundy will lead them to victory.

"It's getting to be such a big deal," said Franklin.

Plenty of longtime overnight tailgaters also showed up just after 5:30 p.m. Friday to snag their spots. Natalie and Allen Jones are OSU alumni and say after their kids graduated, the activity became an almost decade-long ritual.

"I think it's the camaraderie," the Jones' said. "It's just the getting together and enjoying good food and being with people and visiting and catching up."

If you can't make it to Saturday's game here's a list of games for the rest of the season.

You can also find OSU's tailgating map and guidelines here.