The passage of time can bring change, healing or the strengthening of a tradition. For years, the scene at Fouts Lot in Glouster has remained the same.
The scene is a tailgate and it is a common occurrence for football fans across the nation. What makes this tailgate stand alone from others is that it has lasted 25 years.
Before every Trimble High School home game, fans from the entire town come to eat with each other and get ready to cheer for the Tomcats.
When I was in high school
Broc Irwin would bring his motor home and go to the ball games said tailgater Bruce Fouts. He would supply the players' food and after that it just carried on from there.
When the tailgate started, no one in the town knew that it was going to be a long-standing tradition, Fouts said.
It has been a good time everybody gathers together every Friday night. We've had some pig roasts when we go to the playoffs
Fouts said. As you can see there are other little tailgaters starting to
pop up now. This is where it started.
Football has always had a unifying aspect in the town of Glouster. With a population of only a few thousand people, the small-town atmosphere of Glouster translates into support for the Tomcats.
Just in the Glouster area
football has always been a big thing for the town
Fouts said. They've always been proud of their football.
For others such as Debbie Gyure, it's about the tradition continuing to flourish.
It's being going on for 25 years and we have younger generations here every year. We have a good time
the kids come
Gyure said. We will keep it alive as long as we will live here or as long as we are alive.
The people that leave the town are always welcomed with open arms when they come back through town.
Keith Lock has only been to two football games in seven years
Gyure said. Whenever he comes back to town
he has to come to the lot for the tailgate party.
Trimble coach Phil Faires takes part in the tradition as well.
I wish I could join them. I go over there a few times after big wins
Faires said. It's neat
