Football in the south is huge.  People here live and breath for the start of fall which means it is the start of football season.  If you are coming to Tallahassee on a football weekend, I can promise you that you will have lots to do!

On Friday nights before a home game the fans come out for the Downtown Getdown.  A huge pep rally held on Adams Street to get ready for the big game.  There is music, food, games for the kids, and tons of stuff to do.  If you are taking children, I would recommend that you get there at 6 pm when the event starts.  It is set up where most of the children's activities are held at one end of the street and the stage is at the other.  The crowd is still fairly light at 6 pm, so the children will have time to play on the bounce houses, get their face painted, have a sno-cone and just have fun, before the older crowd gets there.  It can get pretty crowded as the night goes on, so I like to take them and be wrapping up our fun when it starts to get packed.

The events go on until 10 pm.  For each home game Downtown Getdown there is a different theme, but one thing you can be sure of is that people show up in their team colors and it is a blast.  If you are a local from Tallahassee or just in town for the football weekend, be sure and attend this event.  It will get you in the football spirit and it is all to support the United Way.  Can't beat a fun night for a good cause!!!!

Tailgating is a must if you are attending a game.  During the Oklahoma vs. FSU game I was amazed at how people headed over to the stadium as early as 8 am for an 8 pm game (my son included).  Tailgating is still the best, but don't think you can't do it if you don't have a car here in town!  On the green areas surrounding the stadium you will find one of the largest tailgating parties that everyone is invited to attend.  There is music, food and lots of pre-game activities for the entire family. 

Sunday morning is a great time to rest and catch up.  Take advantage of some of the wonderful restaurants that we have like Another Broken Egg (which has two locations and plenty of room for the kids to run and play outside while you wait for a table), or pack a picnic and relax and enjoy the fall weather at one of our beautiful parks.  Whenever we have a car trip ahead of us, I love to stop at a grocery store, grab some food and head to one of the local parks.  It allows mom and dad a time to breath before the big car trip and it gives the children an opportunity to wear themselves out for a little bit before the car trip home!

Whether you support one of Tallahassee's home teams, FSU or FAMU, or you are a fan of someone we are playing against; we still hope that you will take advantage of all the fun pre-game activities that go on in the city.  Who knows, maybe you will have such a great time that you might find yourself cheering for one of our home teams!

Tags: Downtown Getdown, Events, FAMU, Food, football, FSU, Tailgaiting, Tallahassee

Blythe Newsome

Family Expert

Blythe Newsome is a single mother of six children ages 6,8,10,12,14 and 16. While a morning radio show host, her family was featured on an episode of the Supernanny in 2007.  The reality of this single mom who spends her days getting GI Joes out of the toilet, explaining to her girls that you can not cut your hair like you do your Barbie’s, convincing herself that ketchup on a hotdog counts as a vegetable and letting America see what hides underneath her couch cushions made her family one of “America’s Most Asked About Families” from the show according to producers.  ABC came back to film the 100th episode which aired in March 2010.  When not playing the role of nurse, teacher, chef, referee, taxi driver, coach, or housekeeper, she writes a syndicated column called Flirting with Forty.  

“As a Tallahassee native, I am passionate about this city, raising my children here and I am always searching for new adventures for us.  When people think about a vacation, this is the place to come.  The city is rich in history, annual events and provides people of all ages with something to do”.  Each week Blythe and her children will share with you the stories and pictures of the adventures that are waiting for you in Tallahassee!