The University of West Florida held its annual Parents Weekend Tailgate on Saturday, bringing together students and their families to celebrate the Argo spirit and experience the campus community.

The event began at 2 p.m. and featured various organizations and volunteers offering food and prizes. Students and parents alike wore UWF blue and green as they explored the field of tents and vendors set up outside Pen Air Field.

“My dad’s never been to college—like any,” one student said while watching his father take a photo with the school mascot, Argie the Argonaut. “I knew before, but trying to explain all of this to him is such a crazy feeling.”

For many families, the tailgate served as more than a celebration; it provided a chance to bond with their kids and check in on their lives on campus. Several parents asked questions about their sons or daughters, such as, “Do you know them?” “What do you guys usually do around here?” and “Have they had any problems?” The tailgate offered families a glimpse into their loved ones’ new lives at university.

As the football game approached, families packed up and made their way to watch the UWF football team take on the University of West Alabama.