Friday night football is an undeniably important tradition in Rochester Hills. And just two hours before kickoff, Rochester Adams High School “kicked off” the first game of the school year in the Van Hoosen Middle School parking lot with the second annual Gold Rush Tailgate.

On Friday, September 6, Adams welcomed the community from 4:30 to 6:30 to enjoy inflatable obstacle courses, face-painting, rock-climbing, and exploring various military vehicles. The Rochester Fire and Police Departments also made an appearance and allowed people to tour an ambulance and a fire truck.

The tailgate could not have been as successful as it was without the help of many Adams students. AP Art students set up a face painting station with designs the students made themselves. Another station was set up by the varsity cheerleading team with temporary Adams tattoos. Both the Adams marching band and dance team performed for friends and families, and the kids loved the robotic team’s ball-throwing bot, nicknamed “Valencia”. Other students and parents helped run games and activities, along with selling Gold Rush t-shirts, snow cones, other snacks. 

The tailgate was a great way for the community and Adams students and staff to interact with each other. The freshmen especially benefited from this event because they are still new to the Adams atmosphere.

“Tailgates are great for freshmen because they are a really good way to connect with not only other freshmen, but other upperclassmen too. The helicopter was an especially amazing experience,” said freshman Eva Englehart.

After the tailgate, students, friends, and families gathered in the stands for the game. In the end, Adams secured another win against Oxford High School, 31-7, making the night a complete success.