Hello Ags. Rivalry (or not....) aside I thought I would jump on and get some advice from you guys about the Cotton Bowl.

10:00 A.M. start is rough! Is there a worthwhile tailgating scene before the game? If so- where should we set up? Should we wait until after the game?

What time do you suggest arriving at fair park in order to allow for parking and getting to seats?

Thanks in advance for any help.

i didnt know you could tailgate at the cotton.

don't bother tailgating, the Cotton Bowl is a toilet, try to park in a secure place, go to the game and leave. no kidding

take your tailgate some place safe

if you don't believe us, go to the sip board, they have to play there every year

http://www.realfootball365.com/college/articles/texasam/texasam-aggies-cottonbowl061205.php

[This message has been edited by Floyd2112 (edited 12/8/2005 11:38a).]

It's not the part of town that you want to spend time in after the game. You need to be gone before the cops leave the area.

Of course, it's not really a good place to be before the game either...or during the game, or...

Good luck! As long as their are many fans around it is pretty safe, but don't try to extend your stay in the area.

they do have rv spots and they are secured, but, i would still "tailgate" inside the fairgrounds with their shiner and corny dogs.

Don't leave any valuables in your car. Be careful where you park.

Shiner and Corny dogs for breakfast!!!!!!!???????

Works for me.

don't park at a church

quote:

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What time do you suggest arriving at fair park in order to allow for parking and getting to seats?

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I remember dealing with horrible traffic as we got near fair park. Once we were parked it was only a 5 minute walk to get to the seats.

Don't park in someone's yard.

And to think that Laura Miller wants to spend $50 million to repair that dump. What a joke. No matter what Dallas decides it is still in a rough part of town.

Since there isn't much tailgating opportunities, last year I took one of the downtown shuttles (many hotels should have them). Have to get up a little earlier, but that was pretty ok - didn't have to worry about the car - plus there wasn't much tailgating anyway.

The Cotton Bowl might be the worst stadium in the state. There are high schools that have better facilities. The OU-t.u. game is going to bail out. Especially with the new stadium being built in Arlington, the Cotton Bowl is doomed.

If you're above-average (heck, average) height, get ready to have your kneecaps sheared off by the seatbacks in front of you. That place must have been designed and built by dwarves.

Whatever you do, read this thread:

http://texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?forum_id=5&topic_id=399832

and this story:
http://www.dallasobserver.com/issues/1996-12-19/news/feature.html

before you go anywhere near the Cotton Bowl. I wouldn't wish this kind of hell on anyone.

DOn't pay some guy with his hat on sideways $20 to park in someone's yard. I've seen what happens to those tards!

no space between rows! wear kneepads!

Last year we took the DART rail line and the shuttle to the Cotton Bowl. The only problem is that you could not buy tickets at the pick up station... you had to buy them after your trip at City Place. The lines were incredibly long.... If you can buy them on-line in advance, do that, although I don't think this was an option last year. The food stands just outside the main entrance are open. You can get the usual State Fair stuff.... corn dogs, turkey legs, etc.... you can tailgate at the parking lot just south of the stadium in the big lot..... 10:00am kickoff sucks as it makes for an incredibly long day.......

it might be worth your while to pay for a cab to and from the cotton bowl. the money was well spent. just a suggestion.

With all due respect, save your money and don't attend.

Chance are it will be cold. It is a horrible game day experience and to have to share it with sandfleas will make it even worse.

Also, tech is going to win easily.

Some of you need to chill.

First of all, get a parking pass. Everyone that buys tickets should be able to get one, I had no problem getting two or three of them last year.

The lots are safe to tailgate in. We got there at 6am and had chili and tamales and then went over to the game about 9:15. You could also easily tailgate after the game in the lots and watch some of the other games if you have power, satelite dish, and a tv. That's what we did.

Yeah, the stadium is a dump, but it isn't any different than what they play the Capitol 1 bowl in.

Wow after reading that story about Elite towing, I want to burn that place to the ground and piss on the ashes, and I didn't even get my car towed.

[This message has been edited by AgAcct (edited 12/6/2005 9:59a).]

Chicken Ranch-

We have the parking pass, and I was wondering how early you suggest we get there. I was planning on leaving Denton about 6:00am and hopefully get to the fairgrounds around 7:00am. Is that early enough, or do I need to plan on getting there earlier?

I would plan on tailgating after the game then. If you have the TV/Power/Dish this is a VERY good thing because you can wait for the traffic to die down. You are going to wait either way, you might as well enjoy it! Coming from Denton, just plan on it taking about 30 to 45 min longer than you would think, traffic is a b*tch.

Good luck We had a great tailgate at the CB last year. I know y'all will too.

[This message has been edited by The Chicken Ranch (edited 12/6/2005 10:02a).]

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Also, tech is going to win easily.

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I certainly wouldn't count on that!

i have tickets, but according to Cottonbowl.com the parking passes are sold out.

I have to agree with TCR. It wasn't that bad. We did get up early and drove into down town, did a mini-tailgate and walked up with no issue. I didn't even have a pass, I just parked in some pay lot (note: an actual lot, not a yard/other parking lot).

The stadium does suck, but it wasn't as horrible as some say (except for the bathroom access/availability).

Most of these horror stories are overblown. Have been to the CB numerous times and have encountered absolutely no problems. Just use common sense. If you're going to park in a "front-yard" space make sure it is close to a major thoroughfare, not deep in some neighborhood. During daylight hours it's pretty safe - never had any problems with trip from car to stadium. As far as driving there, I would avoid freeways at all costs. I-30 into Fair Park on gameday is a nightmare. If you're staying at a reputable hotel, any concierge worth his salary will be able to direct via "backstreets" such as MLK, Pennsylvania, et al which will get you there with a lot less trouble. Like I've said I've been there numerous times and have had a good time and have never had any trouble. Of course, what they say about the stadium itself being a dump is absolutely true. The bathrooms, concession stands, concourses are a joke.

Ride the dart rail. Crowds are sometimes bad, but at least you won't worry about your car and fight the traffic.

I ordered a parking pass from a broker last year. I forget the name.

fatbamm, I've been to a lot of Cotton Bowl Classics over the years and I'll offer you these insights and suggestions.

Try a Fletcher's Corn Dog, they are very good but the new flavors they've added don't beat the traditional one.

When your team loses to Tech, your coach should go out to midfield and lift up Coach Leach like Bear Bryant did to Gene Stallings.

Maybe, if your coach does it before the game, Leach might be moved to call off the Raider offense before the game gets out of hand.

Warn your running back not to fumble the ball into and through the endzone, just before crossing the goal line for a sure touchdown, like A&M's Greg Hill did against Florida State.

If your ball carrier fails to heed this warning, the harsh ruling will again be: ball comes out to the twenty and possession goes to the other team.

We were outscored in a close game and this play was a big factor.

And hang on to your equipment.

The Red Raiders may try to get souvenirs way from your players like when an Aggie came away with Notre Dame Heisman winner Tim Brown's towel after a pileup.

Brown complained something awful about that happening.

And be sure your players who are on the sideline STAY ON THE SIDELINE.

I don't remember what team he was on, but once an opposing player came off the bench and tackled Rice's Dickie Maegle while he was running for a TD.

The guy said something came over him and he just lost control.

Maegle was awarded a touchdown, but the newspapers really played this incident up big.

The chastised player apologized, became a folk hero and, I understand, never ever had to pay for a drink again.

Go figure.

I wish I could remember that team.

Anyway, strange things have happened at the Cotton Bowl.

So be ready.

Many great plays and athletes have been seen in the house that Doak Walker built.

Roger Staubach, Joe Montana, Joe Namath (I forget where he played college ball), Davey O'Brien, Bob Lilley, Jim Brown, Earl Campbell, Don Meredith, Jack Pardee, John David Crow and many others played there before they ever became pros.

I even went four for four there myself, kicking extra points, during a game in high school.



I expect the Red Raiders will outscore your team, but I hope you have a safe trip and enjoy the overall experience.



Gig 'em, FAST FRED '65.

Before the world wide web, village idiots usually stayed in their own village.

[This message has been edited by FAST FRED (edited 12/8/2005 9:42p).]

spring for the parking pass. Plenty of tailgaters there and a short walk to the stadium.

Tramp - you have the parking pass. Good. You can tailgate there without any problems. There were lots of pits and frying pans going on for breakfast tacos and Bloody Marys. I would plan to arrive no later than 8:00. With that being the only thing going on, the walk to the stadium is quick and simple. Pay attention to your route. After the game, what may look like a shortcut may be a dead end fenced off area. Good luck.



Gig 'em Aggies!

fatbamm (and any Cotton Bowl-goers),

Chicken Ranch is right; don't let the naysayers scare you away from enjoying seeing your team at a bowl game. I wish the Ags were back at the Cotton Bowl this year!

E-mail me at goodag@hotmail.com if you have any questions about getting to Fair Park, etc. to the Cotton Bowl.

Later...