The Florida State Seminoles' 2012 Garnet and Gold Game takes place April 14 at 4 p.m. at Doak Campbell Stadium. It is the finale to the Seminoles' 2012 spring practice, which started March 19.
The top 10 things about the Garnet and Gold Game:
1. The highlight of an entire weekend in Tallahassee
The Garnet and Gold Game comes at a point in the year when spring is in season. Spring in Tallahassee is arguably the best time of the year to be outdoors. Plenty of outdoor activities take places in addition to the game. It is also the best time for alumni to gather together in Florida State's spring semester, outside of graduation.
2. The game itself
The reason for the entire weekend is the Garnet and Gold Game, matching up the Seminoles against each other. This will be the first time that the players will play a game inside Doak Campbell Stadium in front of the students, alumni and fans. Though the rules will be modified to protect the quarterbacks from injury, the coaching staff will get a final chance to learn about their roster with fans in the stands. Entrance for the game is free for all ages and will begin at 3 p.m.
3. Golf tournaments
If you like hitting the links, there will be two great choices both on Friday, April 13 and Monday, April 16.
On Friday, April 13, the Garnet and Gold Spring Golf Tournament will take place at the Capital City Country Club, located at 1601 Golf Terrace Drive in Tallahassee. Check-in begins at 11 a.m., a lunch buffet that begins service at 11:30 a.m., and a shotgun start for the round beginning at 12:30 p.m.
On Monday, April 16, the Florida State Varsity Club Celebrity Golf Classic closes the weekend of festivities at Golden Eagle Country Club. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and a shotgun start for the round begins at 9 a.m.
Golden Eagle Country Club is located at 3700 Golden Eagle Dr, E Tallahassee, FL 32312.
4. BBQ festival
At 11:30 a.m on gameday, fans and tailgaters will have the chance to sample some of the best barbeque cooking throughout the South. The cookout will take place on Langford Green, just outside Doak Campbell Stadium. A live DJ and other vendors will be out to entertain the tailgaters. Chefs will be fighting for the crown of "Best of Tallahassee."
5. Tailgating in the Doak Campbell Stadium parking lots
With parking available on a first-come, first-serve basis, it makes total sense that fans who have not had season tickets for a long time do not get parking passes so close to the stadium. The closer you get to the stadium, the more fun tailgating can be. Parking lots open 9 a.m. on gameday.
6. Torch lighting and player walk
A new event, on Friday, April 13, the night before the Garnet and Gold Game. Fans can join the players and coaches in a walk to light the Unconquered Torch outside Doak Campbell Stadium.
7. Seminole Boosters Club block party
This is an event that takes place in downtown Tallahassee at Kleman Plaza (just east of the Florida State University campus). Starting at 6 p.m., the members-only event includes dueling piano players and a great networking event with other fans.
8. Friday Night Under The Lights event
On Friday, April 13, the event will start just before sunset, where fans can join players and the coaching staff in a meet-and-greet and Doak Campbell Stadium. Fans can enjoy being on the field and taking photos with their favorite players.
9. Select-A-Seat event
Select-A-Seat events are always exciting since fans can always sit on their prospective seats before buying them. Select-A-Seat events will take place Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14.
10. Post-Game On-Field Experience
After the Garnet and Gold game, fans can enjoy going onto the field to share an afternoon on Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium to end the day.
Edwin Alexander is a Florida State University alumnus and Seminole fan. He earned a Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Supply Chain Management from Florida State University in 2009.
