Football and tailgating season kicks off Saturday, a few reminders for fans

Tom Hartley and Valerie Hawley tailgate while waiting for a pig on a spit to be completely cooked before the first game of the Kansas University football season last year.

Kansas University football season starts this weekend, and with it comes tailgating season.

New coach Charlie Weis and his KU team kick off against South Dakota State at 6 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

For fans 21 and older, tailgating with alcohol is allowed in designated areas starting three hours before the game, and at halftime. Kegs are not allowed, and fans are urged to avoid glass containers.

Tailgating is allowed in the following parking lots: 1, 2, 3, 33, 34, 36, 39, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 65, 72, 90, 91, 94, 96 and 130. Fans can tailgate in the Mississippi Street parking garage, but no cooking is allowed in the garage.

Free shuttle buses, including handicap-accessible buses, start running two hours before game time until kickoff. Shuttle service restarts at the end of the third quarter until 30 minutes after the game.

Catch a free shuttle in Lot 72 (on Irving Hill Road) or on the north side of Lot 90 (south of Robinson Center across Naismith Drive from Allen Fieldhouse).

For $1 per person, shuttles also pick up fans downtown, outside the Lawrence Arts Center and outside the parking garage at Sixth and New Hampshire streets.

A limited number of handicap-accessible parking spaces are available first-come-first-served on the east and west sides of the stadium for $20. Additional handicap spaces are available, also for $20, in lots 72 and 90, with shuttle service.