Lowes Foods Tailgater of the Year Announced
11/13/2024 9:52:00 AM | Football, General
More on the winner and the finalists for the Lowes Foods Tailgater of the Year Award.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Each home game throughout the 2024 season, Lowes Foods has awarded a lucky group of fans a spot in the finals for the Tailgater of the Year award. With last Friday being the penultimate home game of the season, it was time to crown a champion out of these passionate Wake Forest Football fans.
Lowes Foods is a proud sponsor of Wake Forest Athletics and is excited to crown the Tailgater of the Year last Friday against Cal. The winner was decided by a panel consisting of head women's basketball coach Megan Gebbia, Deputy AD Scott Garrett and right-handed pitcher on the Wake Forest baseball team Josh Gunter.
Based on a comprehensive criteria, the panel selected five participating tailgates as the 2024 Lowes Foods Tailgater of the Year and Tina and Brian Heelan won!
All Finalists
North Carolina A&T (Week One)
Melanie and Rick Harkey, and Deacon Friends!
BIO
Rick and Melanie joined Deacon friends tailgating on the grassy median along the Blue lot many years ago before "inheriting" their spot and hosting fun tailgates for fellow alumni, family, students, neighbors, friends (and a couple Deacon dogs) since 2006. The "Friends, So Dear" group has changed over the past 17 years but the group enjoys welcoming back old friends and bringing new fans into the fold and "roasting" the other team as they prepare food and beverages based on the week's rival.
Quote
"All the "Friends, So Dear Tailgate" gang was honored to compete against such worthy tailgaters this year! We always have a great time together and spend most game days from sunup to sundown cheering on the Deacons and plotting how to best "roast" the opposing team (next time we play Cal, we'll have bear meat on the menu). It's always a great day when our Deacons win, but we always "win" the tailgate with our Deacon family."
Virginia (Week Two)
Tina and Brian Heelan
BIO
Tina and I have been tailgating since we graduated from Wake in '81 and '82. We learned how to host a tailgate from Ceil and Dr. Sam Sue. Today we have long term and new friends, kids and grandkids every week.
Quote
"We encourage our usuals to bring friends from the opposing team and be ambassadors for Wake Forest!"
Ole Miss (Week Three)
Frank Johnson
BIO
The Almost Gold Tailgate is located in the corner of Blue Lot against the Baity Street woods, down the street from the Barely Gold Tailgate. It is named for its proximity to the Gold Lot and is a remnant of the famous tailgate group that was there in the '00s decade. The common bond of the group is mid-80s Sigma Nu alumni from WF and App State. Hosts Mark and Frank Johnson and Matthew Dolge grew up in the WF neighborhood and have attended Deacon games their whole lives. Co-Hosts Joe Bracken and David and Claire Collins are in charge of the décor. The Almost Gold folks are not shy about arriving early. Their annual traditions include a low country boil, smoked ribs, and pork shoulder barbeque. Our signature cocktail is "Arnie on the Green" made with sweet tea vodka, Lowes Foods Lemonade, and fresh mint.
Quote
"We can control the tailgate but not the game. A great day of tailgating makes for better memories and keeps the weekend from being dependent on the outcome of the game. Win the tailgate!"
Louisiana (Week Five)
Melody and Mark Owens
BIO
Greater Winston Salem Inc started the tailgate four years ago to try to fill in a quiet spot in the Gold Lot and improve the tailgating atmosphere before the game. The relationship among this group has continued to grow with GWSI and friends! From one reserved spot to now seven, it has become a must stop tailgate on the walk into Allegacy Stadium. It has been a great way to catch up with old friends, meet new friends and even welcome the opposing fans to Winston Salem. Our dedicated group lays out custom cut turf to add to the experience and always prepares food and drinks to share with everyone who stops by.
Quote
"Fun fact…We are already planning ahead for some new additions for next season!"
Clemson (Week Seven)
Scott Miller
BIO
It all started with Chad Correll and Scott Miller, whose sons played pee wee football on opposing teams in Davie County. Scott's son's team had Cade Carney on the team, Tate Carney's older brother, before Cade eventually ended up going to play football at Wake Forest. In 2008 their group started tailgating over in the Joel Coliseum parking lot and about eight years ago they bought Red Lot passes closer to the stadium. Both Chad and Scott became friends through their affinity for the sport of football and have been tailgating together ever since.
Quote
"We pride our tailgate on changing it up every week. Christa Miller comes up with the menu and they theme it around whoever the opposing team is."
Cal (Week 11) - Winner was chosen this game (Tina and Brian Heelan)
Feedback
As fans have questions, feedback or ideas, Wake Forest Athletics encourages you to email wfsports@wfu.edu with those thoughts.
Up Next
The Demon Deacons take their unblemished 3-0 record on the road next week as Wake travels to Chapel Hill, N.C. for a Big Four rivalry matchup at North Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 16. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on ACC Network.
Wake Forest is back at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30 for another Big Four showdown against Duke on Seniors & Graduates day. Tickets for the matchup with the Blue Devils can be purchased by clicking HERE. For questions or assistance, please contact the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1 or tix@wfu.edu. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Lowes Foods is a proud sponsor of Wake Forest Athletics and is excited to crown the Tailgater of the Year last Friday against Cal. The winner was decided by a panel consisting of head women's basketball coach Megan Gebbia, Deputy AD Scott Garrett and right-handed pitcher on the Wake Forest baseball team Josh Gunter.
Based on a comprehensive criteria, the panel selected five participating tailgates as the 2024 Lowes Foods Tailgater of the Year and Tina and Brian Heelan won!
All Finalists
North Carolina A&T (Week One)
Melanie and Rick Harkey, and Deacon Friends!
BIO
Rick and Melanie joined Deacon friends tailgating on the grassy median along the Blue lot many years ago before "inheriting" their spot and hosting fun tailgates for fellow alumni, family, students, neighbors, friends (and a couple Deacon dogs) since 2006. The "Friends, So Dear" group has changed over the past 17 years but the group enjoys welcoming back old friends and bringing new fans into the fold and "roasting" the other team as they prepare food and beverages based on the week's rival.
Quote
"All the "Friends, So Dear Tailgate" gang was honored to compete against such worthy tailgaters this year! We always have a great time together and spend most game days from sunup to sundown cheering on the Deacons and plotting how to best "roast" the opposing team (next time we play Cal, we'll have bear meat on the menu). It's always a great day when our Deacons win, but we always "win" the tailgate with our Deacon family."
Virginia (Week Two)
Tina and Brian Heelan
BIO
Tina and I have been tailgating since we graduated from Wake in '81 and '82. We learned how to host a tailgate from Ceil and Dr. Sam Sue. Today we have long term and new friends, kids and grandkids every week.
Quote
"We encourage our usuals to bring friends from the opposing team and be ambassadors for Wake Forest!"
Ole Miss (Week Three)
Frank Johnson
BIO
The Almost Gold Tailgate is located in the corner of Blue Lot against the Baity Street woods, down the street from the Barely Gold Tailgate. It is named for its proximity to the Gold Lot and is a remnant of the famous tailgate group that was there in the '00s decade. The common bond of the group is mid-80s Sigma Nu alumni from WF and App State. Hosts Mark and Frank Johnson and Matthew Dolge grew up in the WF neighborhood and have attended Deacon games their whole lives. Co-Hosts Joe Bracken and David and Claire Collins are in charge of the décor. The Almost Gold folks are not shy about arriving early. Their annual traditions include a low country boil, smoked ribs, and pork shoulder barbeque. Our signature cocktail is "Arnie on the Green" made with sweet tea vodka, Lowes Foods Lemonade, and fresh mint.
Quote
"We can control the tailgate but not the game. A great day of tailgating makes for better memories and keeps the weekend from being dependent on the outcome of the game. Win the tailgate!"
Louisiana (Week Five)
Melody and Mark Owens
BIO
Greater Winston Salem Inc started the tailgate four years ago to try to fill in a quiet spot in the Gold Lot and improve the tailgating atmosphere before the game. The relationship among this group has continued to grow with GWSI and friends! From one reserved spot to now seven, it has become a must stop tailgate on the walk into Allegacy Stadium. It has been a great way to catch up with old friends, meet new friends and even welcome the opposing fans to Winston Salem. Our dedicated group lays out custom cut turf to add to the experience and always prepares food and drinks to share with everyone who stops by.
Quote
"Fun fact…We are already planning ahead for some new additions for next season!"
Clemson (Week Seven)
Scott Miller
BIO
It all started with Chad Correll and Scott Miller, whose sons played pee wee football on opposing teams in Davie County. Scott's son's team had Cade Carney on the team, Tate Carney's older brother, before Cade eventually ended up going to play football at Wake Forest. In 2008 their group started tailgating over in the Joel Coliseum parking lot and about eight years ago they bought Red Lot passes closer to the stadium. Both Chad and Scott became friends through their affinity for the sport of football and have been tailgating together ever since.
Quote
"We pride our tailgate on changing it up every week. Christa Miller comes up with the menu and they theme it around whoever the opposing team is."
Cal (Week 11) - Winner was chosen this game (Tina and Brian Heelan)
Feedback
As fans have questions, feedback or ideas, Wake Forest Athletics encourages you to email wfsports@wfu.edu with those thoughts.
Up Next
The Demon Deacons take their unblemished 3-0 record on the road next week as Wake travels to Chapel Hill, N.C. for a Big Four rivalry matchup at North Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 16. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on ACC Network.
Wake Forest is back at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30 for another Big Four showdown against Duke on Seniors & Graduates day. Tickets for the matchup with the Blue Devils can be purchased by clicking HERE. For questions or assistance, please contact the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1 or tix@wfu.edu. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Players Mentioned
RB
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