The University of Nevada’s “Pack Town” and Wolf Pack Alley” will debut Saturday before the Wolf Pack football team’s home opener against Nicholls State at Mackay Stadium. The interactive fanfest areas, sponsored by Saint Mary's and the Nevada Alumni Association, offer fans a new, free experience to tailgating before Wolf Pack home games.
"Because of Reno's great reputation for entertainment, we hope to continue to build this year's success and provide Wolf Pack fans the ultimate pre-game experience in college athletics," said
Andy McDowell, general manager of Wolf Pack Sports Properties.
About 10 vendors, live entertainment and music and inflatable and interactive games, merchandise and memorabilia will keep fans of all ages entertained at Wolf Pack Alley three hours before each of the six home games this season. Wolf Pack Alley is located inside Pack Town in the parking lot immediately north of Mackay Stadium.
"Because of the community support the Wolf Pack has enjoyed, it was very easy for us to get this started," said McDowell, who helped with Fresno State's Bulldog Boulevard last year. "The corporate community saw potential of this event and got excited."
With Wolf Pack Alley premiering this season, it will help give fans a better college football experience and should improve the atmosphere at home games, especially when Nevada hosts in-state rival UNLV later this month and opens Western Athletic Conference play against Fresno State in October.
Fans will see food vendors like Bully's, P.F. Changs, Tahoe Creamery and Qdoba, and will have the opportunity to shop for Wolf Pack gear and memorabilia. Kids can experience inflatable games like football toss at the quarterback house, the bounce house and obstacle course. The Nevada Army National Guard will have a rock climb wall and a hummer on display. Jack in the Box, Washoe County Recycling and the Reno-Gazette Journal will also be at the party offering free merchandise and games for fans. Silver and Blue Outfitters will sell a variety of Wolf Pack apparel from ball caps to sweaters, and R.J. Calvert will sell Nevada memorabilia.
Local bands will highlight the entertainment portion of the festivities with the possibility of big-named groups coming in the next couple of years. McDowell said the local bands possess a variety of music, ranging from jazz to rock and roll.
"There will be nice, upbeat family-friendly-music," McDowell said.
