Students got an early Huskie tailgate experience Wednesday night.

Graduate students Anne Weber and Veronica Skradzinski orchestrated a special tailgate event in the Stevenson dining hall Wednesday.

Special menu items were implemented for the evening, including Chicago-style hot dogs and barbecue ribs. Students had the opportunity to take photos with Victor E. Huskie and play bags and trivia.

“It’s a great way to get people ready for the game this weekend,” said Jair Hayes, freshman electrical computer engineering student.

Tickets earned throughout the night from winning a game of bags or donning NIU gear were put toward a raffle.

“We organized the menu, the decorations, the games,” Weber said. “It’s just for students to come out and have fun.”

Weber and Skradzinski planned this event for their FCNS 617 internship in Food Systems Management. They were assigned the theme and the location for the event.

“It’s pretty fun. I love playing bags,” said freshman psychology student Martin Munoz.

Weber and Skradzinski planned the event for about seven weeks.

“I’m excited to see it finally come together,” Weber said.