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CALS Tailgate


Date: Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Close-King Practice Facility
Ag Day Football Game: NC State vs. Marshall
Kickoff: 2:00 p.m.

Family. Friends. Fun.

CALS Tailgate has a proud, 32-year tradition of providing family-friendly fun and highlighting the people, programs, and partners that make our college great. 

Join us for the celebration of CALS and NC Agriculture.

Bring friends and family to connect with our academic departments to learn more about the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and North Carolina’s #1 industry – agriculture.

Admission is free.

Enjoy games, exhibits, Howling Cow ice cream and more! 

Football tickets have be SOLD OUT.


A Taste of CALS Tailgate


CALS Alumni and Friends Society Board hosted the first Tailgate in 1992.

A little history

CALS Tailgate was first hosted by the CALS Alumni and Friends Society Board which remains involved in the continuation and development of this event. They hosted what was deemed “the largest reunion in the history of NC State” on October 10, 1992, just four short months after the board was formed. CALS departments were asked to host exhibits – a programmatic piece still intact today. Following the success of this inaugural event, the motion was approved to make it an annual occurrence. There are still a handful of those founding members who still sit on the board today.

What is CALS Tailgate?

CALS Tailgate – NC State’s largest alumni and friends game day event – has a proud tradition of offering a family-friendly atmosphere and highlighting the people, programs, and partners that make CALS great. See highlights from past Tailgate events.

What is Ag Day?

The 2023 CALS Tailgate will be in conjunction with the 10th Annual Ag Day. Ag Day is a gameday theme set by NC State Athletics Marketing in partnership with Wolfpack Sports Properties and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It is a unique opportunity to promote the connection between NC State and the agriculture, agribusiness, and biotech industries in North Carolina in front of thousands of fans at Carter-Finley Stadium.

2023 CALS Tailgate Sponsors

Make your mark at Tailgate and activate the attention of alumni, stakeholders, commodity group members, advisory board members, volunteers, administrators, faculty, staff and their families with your sponsorship.