Formerly known as the hotdog dance for freshmen and their GKOMs, this year is the hotdog tailgate. The tailgate will be before the first home football game at 7:00 on Aug. 26. It will be a typical tailgate, but it will only be for freshmen and their GKOMs. The tailgate is a way to welcome the freshmen in a fun way, according to GKOM sponsor Mike Meyer. Meyer said he expects a higher attendance of freshmen and a better event this year because of the switch from the hotdog dance after the game to the tailgate before the game.

According to Assistant Principal Skeens-Benton, the reason for the switch is partly because the game doesn’t start until 8 and partly because she and the GKOMs think a tailgate will be more successful than the dance was in the past.

Skeens-Benton said, “I never really liked the name ‘Hotdog Dance’ anyway. I think it turned some people away, but the tailgate is going to be a ton more fun and will be great way to get the freshmen pumped for the game. Kids are usually tired after games, so I think the tailgate before will be much more successful.”

GKOM and junior Regan Brown said she is excited for the tailgate because she wants to make sure her freshmen feel welcome at the football games from the start of the season. She says she wants to get her freshmen excited about the football season so they can enjoy it as much as she does.

Meyer said he thinks the tailgate will also be easier for everyone from the staff helping with the event to the GKOMs and freshmen. He also said that this event will probably grow in the next few years.

According to Meyer, “This switch is going to be good change for everyone’s sake.”