For the first time, Gator Growl attendees can sip wine or beer before the headliners take the stage.
A beer and wine garden will be set up on Oct. 17 at the back of Flavet Field, the new venue for Growl, which is billed as the nation’s largest student-run pep rally.
With the change in scenery after 82 years in The Swamp comes a change in vibe. Growl event producer Devin McDaniel said the staff wanted to take advantage of the location and create a music festival atmosphere.
“We thought the beer and wine, obviously in a very controlled environment, aligned with all those other aspects that we’re bringing to the show,” McDaniel said.
Growl staff had to present a proposal, along with a security plan, to Student Affairs to make the approval a reality.
The garden will have a capacity of about 200 people and will have two ID checkpoints: one at the gate and one when purchasing a drink, McDaniel said.
Those 21 and older are limited to two drinks, which are provided by Aramark.
“We really want to make sure that, since this is the first year,” McDaniel said. “everything is extremely controlled, and nothing gets out of hand.”
“We’re not getting ourselves into a bad situation,” she said.
The garden will be part of a concession area with food trucks like Monsta Lobsta, Kona Dog and Ameraucana Wood Fire for guests to enjoy before the live entertainment from Ludacris, Foster the People and former SNL performer Brooks Wheelan.
“I think for those that are of age, it’s fun to get dinner and have a glass of wine or a beer with it,” McDaniel said. “And I think this is a value-add. It’s another thing that makes this experience such a great University of Florida tradition.”
“I think this is so conducive of the festival feel and students being able to hang out and have fun with their friends, enjoy the music and enjoy being part of this university and The Gator Nation,” she added.
Haley Doyle, Growl associate producer of communications, said students will be excited about the addition.
“I know that’s something we wished we could always have in the stadium,” Doyle said. “It will give the show that fun festival, pep rally feel.”
“I think it’s going to bring a lot of people out,” she said.
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 9/15/2014 under the headline "Gator Growl to include beer and wine garden"]
