It’s that time of year again at Western Carolina University: Family Weekend. From Sept. 18 to Sept. 20, families of students attending WCU gather to eat, drink and be merry before an afternoon of Catamount football.
But what draws families in year after year? What keeps spirits high, even after countless rain delays?
For the Hayes family, it’s the community.
“I love to be out here for the parades, and the Catwalk,” said Jennifer Hayes, attending her second WCU tailgate. “I like the atmosphere.”
Hayes, who has three years of tailgating experience and a daughter in the cheerleading team, also brought along her parents for their first ever tailgate.
“I like the way they break up the tailgating up for parents, to get away from something loud, something more fun for our age,” Hayes said.
Just around the corner, WCU’s fraternities and sororities dance and grill in the Bardo Arts Center parking lot.
In the Shining Rock parking lot, another family shares a similar sentiment about the organization.
“We were actually very happy with the organization here, and usually it’s just a free for all,” said Wesley from Mooresville, tailgating with his family.
Saturday was their first tailgate at WCU, supporting their daughter in the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band.
“I know that’s a minimal thing, but that’s amazing,” said Wesley.
Both of these families, and countless others scattered across campus, gathered to support not only their children in band, cheer, the football team, but each other as well. According to the Catamount Club, an estimated total of 11,811 fans attended Saturday’s game. After multiple rain delays, including one during the game, the Western Carolina Catamounts triumphed over Presbyterian College Blue Hose, 58 to 14.
