Tailgating — one of college football's greatest traditions — comes to UC Davis this fall in a limited pilot program with family-friendly options.

Highlighting the program is an expanded area for the Aggie Pride Festival, featuring interactive entertainment and food, and limited tailgating in one parking lot. Wine and beer will be permitted in two designated areas.

"College football and tailgating are two great traditions, and we're excited about bringing them together at UC Davis," said Greg Warzecka, director of athletics. "We look forward to creating a festive environment before Aggie games."

The Aggie Pride Festival will be relocated from a grove at the stadium's southwest corner to a larger area northeast of the stadium to allow for more live entertainment, private and group parties, campus displays and public seating. Fans will also be near the Aggies' locker room to cheer on the team as it enters and exits the stadium.

With the purchase of a new Festival Field Pass, fans will be able to tailgate with their vehicles on the adjacent field (bounded by Hutchison Drive to the north and La Rue Road to the east), and families will have ample room in which to enjoy all the pregame activities, including a large grassy play area for children. Only 50 Festival Field Passes will be available for each game, and they will be sold online on a first-come, first-served basis. Passes are $100 for the season.

The pilot program will permit fans to consume wine and beer in designated tailgating areas, including the Festival Field tailgate area and Parking Lot 56. The 300 spots in the parking lot, located at the south end of the stadium, will be reserved for TeamAggie members who have made a gift of $600 or more to benefit UC Davis Athletics.

Additional revenues from private party rentals and food and beverage sales are expected to offset the projected expenses for the Aggie Pride Festival.

The tailgating pilot grew from the popularity of the Aggies' pregame festivities that began when the stadium opened in 2007.

"There are more than 35,000 UC Davis alumni in the local area, and Aggie games are exciting entertainment," said Warzecka. "The Aggie Pride Festival is a great way for families, and all of our fans, to experience game day more fully."

Tailgating areas will be open three hours before the game; tailgating and alcohol consumption must conclude 15 minutes before kickoff, and the activities are not permitted during the game or at halftime. Tailgating areas must be cleared within an hour of the end of the football game. Only gas grills will be permitted.

Written tailgating and alcohol-use policies, including those aiming to promote responsible drinking, will be distributed to fans as they enter the designated areas, and the UC Davis Police Department will monitor the areas to help ensure a family-friendly environment.

The new policy, in effect for the Aggies' first home game against Portland State on Sept. 11, is being introduced as a pilot only to gauge its popularity and success for subsequent games and expansion to other parking areas. It will be evaluated after the Sept. 11 game.

The only facility on campus that is permanently licensed for public sales of alcoholic beverages is the Gunrock Pub restaurant. UC Davis policy requires a temporary liquor license or permit to serve or sell alcohol at special events at other locations on campus.

The two other University of California campuses with football teams, UC Berkeley and UCLA, allow tailgating, as do the campuses of the Aggies' football competitors.

Information on the newly expanded Aggie Pride Festival, including maps and policies, will be available on the Intercollegiate Athletics website at http://ica.ucdavis.edu/aggiepridefestival/index.html. Fans can also purchase the Festival Field Passes through the website.

In addition to Sept. 11, other home games will be Oct. 9, 23 and 30 and Nov. 20.

For more information, fans can call the UC Davis Athletics Department at (530) 752-1111.