Food trucks, beer and an outside venue was such a great idea in theory. However, the reality of Gator Growl and the overall consensus on Twitter is waiting in line for food sucks.
And I couldn’t agree more.
The University of Florida estimated that about 17,000 people came out for the event at Flavet Field. There were eight food trucks that kept a steady line throughout the event. Most trucks ran out of food before 9 p.m.
Gator Growl did come through for a little while with the biergarten tent. The tent served alcohol until 8 p.m. So, if you’re a 90-pound 5’ person I’m sure you could keep your buzz going long enough for Ludacris’ portion of the show. Everyone else who exceeds that limit, though had to endure the event in sobriety as there was a no re-entry policy in place.
Via: Burners
Still, even with booze, there were problems. Waiting for a bartender’s attention at Cantina is frustrating. Imagine having to wait for someone to finish his or her drink before you can even walk into the bar. That’s even worse. The thirsty masses were held at bay until those inside the tent were done drinking because taking alcohol out of the tent was strictly forbidden. The one-in-one-out process can’t work with a crowd as large as the one at Flavet Field that night.
But I applaud them for at least trying to include alcohol.
As I stood at the gate ushering people in an out, the most common complaint I heard was that patrons were not being allowed to bring in chairs to the event. The only seats available were the bleachers that were set a good distance away from the main stage. Bleacher seats were pre-sold before Gator Growl. I can only imagine how many dirt-stained pants left Flavet Field that night.
Although there were a couple huge downfalls to Growl, there was an overwhelmingly positive response from the student body on Twitter and Instagram.
This is the first time that UF hosted an edgier Growl. Booking Foster the People and Ludacris, as well as having food trucks to cater the event appealed to the younger crowd. Each year, they’ve always played it safe by booking bands that no one really likes, but doesn’t dislike either (see non-offensive bands like The Fray, circa Growl 2013).
Via: Zion Magazine
As good as Ludacris was, I doubt UF will ever book another rap artist for Growl again. “Youse a hoe” didn’t seem to sit well with Mr. and Mrs. 30-year-alumni and their kids. Before Luda’s set even really began, the older bunch was flocking toward the exits as fast as possible. The energy that “Move, bitch” gave off was very apparent that evening.
I understand the means of making it as family-friendly as possible, especially since Gator Growl is as much as the alumni’s event as it is the students’ event. With alumni donations bankrolling a lot of what the university does, it makes sense that the powers-that-be of Growl would want to cater the event to them more so than to the students. However, in years past, doing that has cost them student attendees. This was the first year in many years that I heard students actually excited about Growl and it was because of the new format.
Despite the long food truck lines and some of the other policies put in place for this year’s Gator Growl, one thing is certain: the students prefer this type of intimate show rather than one where they have to squint across a football field to see a stage. Gator Growl 2014 was bolder than years past and the ideas were great, even if implementation of those ideas left a little something to be desired. If they keep the same format next year, they should use this year as a test-run and fix the problems so the event can run more smoothly in years to come.
Feature photo courtesy of: Facebook
