Drinks and Food and Fans, Oh My or Welcome to the Biggest Party of the Year

So many people...people walking up and down the aisles, most with a cup in one hand and some with a case of beer in the other.  People dancing wherever there was space.  People playing cornhole or "Drive A Nail In A Tree Stump" (I don't know the actual name for that..um.."game", but there were these groups of people hanging around a tree stump with nails in it, someone swung down a hammer, and the rest of the group let out a collective "Oooooo". It was hilarious and I'll probably end up playing it before season's end.)


My guess is there are about 100,000 people that show up to party, but within the large party that is Cleveland Browns tailgating, there are all of these sub parties; makeshift dance floors, buses and trailers, tents on top of tents equipped with TVs and sound systems.  And the DJs!  Don't forget the DJs.





And the female Cleveland Browns fans! There's something about a woman in brown and orange that supports my favorite NFL franchise...I got lucky to snag a picture with a few during all of the festivities.

 IMHO, these colors look way better on a woman than purple and gold or...black and yellow. All those who agree, say "aye".



 

 I was able to track down The Browns Brothers crew although due to all of the cooking and food prep, they were not yet wearing the suits.














It was a gorgeous day that saw a lot of cheering and laughter and hardly a Ravens fan in sight.  The walk to FirstEnergy Stadium was great and for a moment, you thought that this Sunday was our day.






The banners read, "We Are Cleveland" and there was no one to argue that.










The sun made several appearances throughout the day, the Browns went up by almost three touchdowns, but then the third TD's extra point was blocked and returned back for two points...you could just feel it. Why oh why couldn't it have all gone our way...?


But this isn't a recap blog.  You know what happened next.








Everyone shuffled passed the graveyard of Solo cups back to the Muni lot to climb in their cars and return to reality...















Lines formed at the parking lot exits as most fans tried to make a quick getaway, while some stayed and enjoyed good company and drinks in front of their RV as if they rented the space for an overnight stay.







All in all it was a great time and one that I won't soon forget.  In my mind, I'm fully committed to this journey and am now being referred to as "The guy" as in "That's the guy I was talking to you about...the one that's going to all of the games."  One thing is for sure; after the season is over and I look back on the journey of attending all 16 games during a not-so-stellar season, no one will EVER be able to question my loyalty to the Cleveland Browns.  Ever.


Stay tuned for next week's episode titled "I'm In Miami Bitch! or Hurricane Slurricane".
Location: Downtown, Cleveland, OH, USA

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