By Braelyn Versen
For years, Louisville High School football has brought the city of Louisville together every Friday night. People of all ages attend the games for the thrill of the sport, support of the school, or the excitement of the social gatherings; however, there is a social gathering before the game that many fans may not know about. The Youth Football Tailgate.
Jerico Olson, a fifth and sixth-grade teacher who helps run the tailgate, said, “It is my favorite, especially being a teacher… you see kids playing together that don’t normally get the chance to play together, and families standing around and talking.”
When some people think of a tailgate they may think tailgates are only for adults, but that is not the case. In reality, it is just as fun for little kids and middle schoolers. The little kids get so excited to be able to see one another. But, of course, the interactions with the middle schoolers is different. They are usually in a big circle, talking with each other.
Oliver Aden, a Louisville eighth grader, said, “It is definitely worth it, and it is honestly a blast.”
The tailgate gives kids the time to catch up with their friends who might be in a different class, different grade, or with friends who don’t play football.
There is a lot of thinking that goes into the tailgate. There are kids of all ages everywhere. The boys and girls playing a little street football with one another. The dads grilling together. Then there are the moms wrapping the food up in the front, greeting the people that go through the food line.
Aden said, “I think it’s a lot of fun just because I’m with my friends.”
Even with the tailgate only starting a few years ago in 2021, it has still brought the community closer than it used to be. The first year the tailgate was held it was more of a learning experience than anything. Josh Larson was the founder, and with the help of the friends around him, he started a very positive impact on the community.
In the last year, it has been able to grow greatly. They now have eleven sponsors. These local businesses generously support the event. They make sure the community members get to eat for free, they buy all the food supplies, and, most of all, help out the Youth Football team so that they don't have to pay for everything out of their pockets. Every home game a tailgate is held.
When people need a way to get excited for the varsity game, want to find a way to support the community, need a way to uplift their spirits, or want to show up for the Youth Football Team, they know the best way to do that is by going to the tailgate.