NORMAL - The red was spread Saturday at CommUniversity Day, a tailgaiting event in Hancock Stadium's parking lot that kicked off Illinois State University's home football opener. | Photo Gallery | Video: Football fans sound off

Fifty-five vendors were represented at the event, hosted by the McLean County Chamber of Commerce and Illinois State Athletics.

"I think it's great that they're doing this," said Aaron Quick, vice president of the Farnsworth Group.

"We just feel like it's a great community event. We can support ISU. It gives us an opportunity to do something for our employees. I think it's what gets the crowd to the games and helps take the football team to the next level."

Quick noted that he is an alum of Eastern Illinois University, ISU's football rival Saturday evening, but that he was supporting the Redbirds.

"It's great to have a college atmosphere in our community, and we came to support that," he said.

Pat McCarney of Bloomington attended the event with friend Sue Quane of Normal. McCarney graduated from Illinois State Normal University in 1960 with a degree in business education. Both members of the ISU Women's Golf Association, they were showing their school spirit by wearing Redbird earrings.

"It's fabulous," said McCarney of the event.

"You see a lot of people you haven't seen in a long time," said Quane. "You see more red every year."

"It's a good way to pack the stands for the first home game," said Brian Benjey of Bloomington.

Benjey attended the event with wife, Jana, and daughters, Savanna, 6, and Sierra, 5, both of whom had butterflies painted on their faces at the event.

"We're really proactively reaching out to the community," said Allison Slocum, regional outreach specialist at BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.

The hospital's heart center was performing blood pressure and cholesterol checks at its booth.

"We're bringing more of an educational piece to our booth," Slocum said.

Bill Edwards, co-owner of the Copy Shop, said he believes the event is strengthening the relationship between the university and the community.

"Look at the crowd," he said. "It's great. They wouldn't have a sell-out (without CommUniversity Day). It's working together that does it. It's working.

"I've got four employees who wouldn't have gone to a ball game, but they're coming tonight."