Fri., Sept. 2, 2016

Idaho tailgaters imbibe ‘apple juice’ under new alcohol restrictions

Montana State fan Mark D-Agostino, right, pours a beer for friend Jerry Johnson before the start of a college football game against Idaho on Thursday, Sep 1, 2016, outside the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho. The Montanans said they were unfazed by Idaho’s new tailgating laws prohibiting alcohol and planned to serve beverages in plastic cups. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)

Tailgaters were gearing up for the Vandals’ first home football game since state officials tightened alcohol restrictions in June. The state Board of Education reasserted a policy banning alcohol sales nearly everywhere on state college campuses, and said tailgaters can’t bring in their own.

But that didn’t seem to faze Thursday’s crowd outside the Kibbie Dome. Tailgaters spoke nonchalantly about their coolers of beer and boxes of wine. Some said they didn’t anticipate any crackdowns by police.

“It just seems like a dumb rule, especially in Idaho,” said Colton Thrasher, a 20-year-old offensive lineman for UI. “Alcohol is a big part of tailgating for older people. I think people will probably just put it in cups instead of drinking it out of cans." Chad Sokol, SR

Do you enjoy tailgate parties before football games?

Posted Sept. 2, 2016, 11 a.m.