As Michigan State University hosts the first game of the season against Central Michigan University, students, parents and community members alike gathered on campus once again for fun traditions and activities.

At 12:30 p.m., MSU students donned green and white apparel as they trudged to their afternoon classes.

Around 1 p.m., community volunteers and Spartan parents served food to MSU’s marching band. 

“We've been preparing all summer," parent volunteer Laura Cole said. "We're feeding 16 trumpet (players) between warmup and the game so they have a good meal."

On the other side of campus, students and families lined up outside along residence halls to play cornhole, barbecue food, and soak up the sun. 

Scott Henderson and his wife, Janet Henderson, set up tents every game to support their daughter, an MSU student. They'll continue the tailgate tradition even after their daughter graduates. 

For many, MSU football games are a fun community outing to end a long day.

But for students like mechanical engineering sophomore Aanshuman Agarwal, his class times clash with tailgates. Some bus routes even change right before a game, he added, making it harder to navigate on campus.

“I have to walk from classes because of the games," Agarwal said.

Human biology sophomore Gracen Slocum loves the vibe that football games create.

"(My friends and I) love football game days," Slocum said. "We have been waiting since last year.” 

At 5 p.m., the marching band performs as students and families began walking to Spartan Stadium to watch the game. At 7 p.m., Spartan and Chippewa fans in the stadium cheered for their football teams as kickoff begins.