Ready for day two of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Ana Lorden arrived early enough to enter Zilker Metropolitan Park right as the doors opened. Her early arrival reflected something other than excitement to see today’s musical sets — she wanted to watch the football game.
“People plan on getting here right around when (the festival) opens, because the morning games start at 11,” Lorden said. “We ran in here, and a bunch of people were already ready to watch the game.”
In The Big Tent to the right of the Miller Lite stage, two screens display two separate football games throughout the day. The shaded area attracts both football fans and those wanting to cool off.
Lorden said she watched a lot of football when she attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate studies. Football proves a hallmark of her ACL experience, as last year she said she came early to watch the Texas game with her sister, who is a Texas fan.
“It’s a lot of fun because you have fans from all over,” Lorden said. “There’s some people that are really excited for Ole Miss back here and South Carolina as well.”
Samantha Salazar, a UT exercise science and physical therapy alumna, said she attended ACL and Texas football games during undergrad.
“That’s what I reflect on, whenever I’m here,” Salazar said. “Undergrad times.”
Salazar said people go crazy for Texas games especially. As the Texas vs. Oklahoma game usually falls on ACL weekend, Salazar said that is the game she generally watches at ACL.
Baylor alumnus Jack Wheeler said he came to the ten to see the Georgia vs. Auburn game to support his family, who are Georgia fans, and take a break from everything going on outside.
“It’s still energetic, but it’s more relaxed,” Wheeler said. “People are cheering on teams, people clap, which is fun to see.”
Lorden said she loves the assumption that people would want to watch the football game even at a music festival.
“Even though they’re here for a once-a-year thing, they’re still gonna want to watch the game that’s on every week,” Lorden said.
