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The California Report

PHOTOS: Fans, Tailgates and Football at the Big Game

Bianca Hernandez
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Joe Ficarra (center) has been going to the Big Game for 60 years. His son Jeff (right) went to his first game in 1978. Jeff's daughter and Joe's granddaughter Alanis is at her first Stanford game today. (Ryan Levi/KQED)

Fans from all over the Bay Area, the state and the country converged in Palo Alto Saturday for the 120th playing of the Big Game between Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley.

Some fans camped overnight, and by mid-day, the Stanford’s campus was full of music, food and excitement as generations of fans came together to celebrate the storied rivalry. Tailgaters set up across the sprawling Stanford campus. Some were more elaborate than others, but the common theme among fans was the excitement to socialize with friends before the game.

Despite the long-standing rivalry, fans from both sides said that what made it unique was the respect the two teams and their fans had for the other university at the end of the day.

Stanford beat Cal 17-14 to claim its eighth straight victory in the rivalry. But there was a lot that happened before the teams took the field.

Members of the Stanford band parade through campus before the Big Game against Cal on Nov. 18, 2017.
Members of the Stanford band parade through campus before the Big Game against Cal on Nov. 18, 2017. (Ryan Levi/KQED)
John and Chase Cranston (left) came from Colorado to join Christine and Eric Johnson (center) along with Chris and Clara Grim for the Big Game.
John and Chase Cranston (left) came from Colorado to join Christine and Eric Johnson (center) along with Chris and Clara Grim for the Big Game. (Ryan Levi/KQED)

Tam Ma dressed her dog Fred up in honor of the Big Game against Stanford.
Tam Ma dressed her dog Fred up in honor of the Big Game against Stanford. (Tam Ma)
Dean Sands, from Placerville, has been attending the Big Game for over 40 years. He got custom decorations for his camper to reflect his "divided" home.
Dean Sands, from Placerville, has been attending the Big Game for over 40 years. He got custom decorations for his camper to reflect his “divided” home. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)
Tailgate decorations ranged from team helmets to colorful chandeliers.
Tailgate decorations ranged from team helmets to colorful chandeliers. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)

Some tailgates go all-out, with themed tablecloths, decorations and games.
Some tailgates go all-out, with themed tablecloths, decorations and games. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)
A lone Cal tailgate gets set up on game day. The grove was only empty for a little while before more people started arriving to set up.
A lone Cal tailgate gets set up early on game day. The grove was only empty for a little while before more people started arriving to set up. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)

Cal fans were also out to represent their team. Since Cal doesn't have the same space for tailgating at Stanford, some fans were excited for the opportunity to get together ahead of the Big Game.
Cal fans were also out to represent their team. Since Cal doesn’t have the same space for tailgating at Stanford, some fans were excited for the opportunity to get together ahead of the Big Game. (Bianca Hernandez/KQED)

This post has been updated.

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