SOUTHGATE — When it comes to a good competition, Trenton Rotary Club member Rose Angela Gronda along with friend, business owner and Taylor Rotarian Larry Wright have teamed up to prove who can raise more money for their charity while cheering on their favorite Michigan college football team.
This second Great Tailgate — sponsored by the Taylor and Trenton Rotary clubs — is set to take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 4 at Crystal Gardens, 16703 Fort St., three days prior to the Michigan-Michigan State football game, and it is being staged cooperatively by the Trenton and Taylor clubs.
The indoor tailgate party will benefit The Penrickton Center for Blind Children and Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center.
Tickets are available at $50 per person or $500 to reserve a table of 10. Sponsorships, including the U-M and MSU patio and VIP packages, still are available as of press time.
Go to GreatTailGateEvent.com, the Facebook event page or call 888-640-5454 for tickets and sponsorship confirmation. Credit cards are accepted.
Participants will have the opportunity to hang out with like-minded sports fans on either one of the Maize and Blue or Green and White patios, or guests can co-mingle among the big screens in the main room. The Spartan patio is sponsored by Fritz Enterprises and Huron Valley Steel.
Bands, video blooper highlights, competitive interactive team games, game ticket raffles, and tailgate food including pig roast, kielbasa, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, desserts and two drink tickets will be featured.
WXYZ Channel 7 sportscaster Justin Rose, is scheduled to be in attendance to greet guests and emcee the event which will be peppered with celebrity surprises.
“We feel this second Great Tailgate event will be another big success.” Wright said. “Bringing over 1,000 die-hard fans of our two beloved major Michigan universities is exciting in and of itself. But as we do so often in Rotary, we saw an opportunity to also do tremendous good in our communities by making it a fundraiser for children in Michigan. Fun, food, football and fundraising, it’s a perfect combination.”
“Those who know me know I will be rooting for Michigan,” Gronda said. “MSU and U of M are the greatest rivalry in all of college football. Our tailgate will bring the greatest fans in the world together.”