Ready for the Game?

The Iowa State Cyclones' season opener against the University of Northern Iowa will pack Jack Trice Stadium and surrounding parking lots this Labor Day Weekend.

In fact, more than 45,000 people are expected to buy tickets to the 6 p.m. Saturday game, said Megan Rodenburg, of the Iowa State athletic department.

While the stadium will open 90 minutes before kickoff, people are encouraged to come much earlier. Parking lots open at noon.

Most tailgaters know how to entertain themselves, but the university and the Iowa State University Foundation are planning to offer some family fun.

The Cyclone Experience north of lot S-8 is where attendees will find a family friendly zone with inflatable attractions, Cy concessions and more. People can also participate in a pre-game event starting at 3 p.m. at the ISU Alumni Center, 420 Beach Ave. in lots A2/A3. Admission is free and includes activities for kids, a prize wheel, trivia contests and more.

Open container and public consumption laws apply on Ames streets and public areas, but people are free to consume alcoholic beverages in the stadium lots.

People can bring their own beer and wine, but not vodka. Hard liquor is prohibited. And public intoxication is still illegal in the parking lot.

Rob Bowers, Iowa State Department of Public Safety deputy police chief, said if people choose to drink, they should be responsible and stay hydrated.

“It's best to alternate. Have a beer, have a bottle of water, then have another beer,” he said.

Bowers said Department of Public Safety police officers try to educate first. If people are smoking, for example, they may receive a warning first since smoking on campus has been illegal only since 2008. Bowers added that officers would rather arrest someone for public intoxication before they climb into a car and start drunk driving.

While drinking is allowed in the parking lots, no alcoholic beverages may be consumed or purchased inside Jack Trice Stadium.

“Traditionally we have a strong turnout for Iowa State and University of Northern Iowa games and Iowa State and Iowa games because they are in-state rivals,” Bowers said.

And many of those people come without a ticket and have no intention of entering the stadium, he said. But tailgating should only be the precursor to the game, rather than the main event, Bowers said.

“It's a social way to celebrate being together and anticipating the game,” he said.

When it comes to tailgating, people are allowed one parking spot per vehicle. No one can hold a parking space, but parking officials might make an exception if that other person is just a few cars back in line.

Once parked, tailgaters are not allowed to stand on top of cars or buses, use real furniture, make a wood fire or bring kegs or glass bottles.

People are not allowed to spend the night, but they can leave their cars behind if they feel like they shouldn't be driving, Bowers said.

More rules can be found here.

Ames residents who would like to avoid the crowd and traffic altogether should take alternative routes around the stadium from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 to 11 p.m., when the heaviest flow of traffic is expected.

People who need to leave town and want to avoid slow-moving traffic could take 13^th Street to Interstate 35 and Dakota Avenue to Iowa Highway 30, Bowers said.

Read more game-day details on .