Sept. 18, 2012

MADISON, Wis. -- Badgers football fans are invited to visit the official pre-game event of Wisconsin Athletics, Badgerville, presented by Johnsonville and Merkt's.

Badgerville is located on the grass field just north of Camp Randall Stadium along Breese Terrace. The venue will open up at 8:30 a.m. CT this week.

Badger fans will be entertained by the musical group, "The Red Hot Horn Dawgs" and will also feature an appearance by members of the UW Band, UW Spirit Squad and Bucky Badger. There will also be activities for kids, including inflatable games and hair and face painting provided by Supercuts.

Also featured are the Badger Legend and UW Team of the Week. This week's Badger Legend is Mike Morgan, who was a running back for the Badgers from 1974-77. This week's team of the Week is the Wisconsin men's soccer team. The Badgers host Penn State on Friday, Sept. 21, and would like to invite fans to come out and support the "Pac the Mac" promotion which features a doubler header evening with the women's soccer team.  

Fans looking to grab a bite to eat before the game will be in luck at Badgerville. A wide selection of food, beer and other beverages will be available.

Famous Dave's will be serving its legendary barbeque. Noodles & Company will also be on the menu along with Panchero's burritos. And, of course, no football pregame event would be complete without hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and Wisconsin's own Johnsonville Brats.

Fans can also keep track of other college football action on a big screen videoboard.

Badgerville will be available to fans before the first six home games. Here are some of the scheduled features for each of the remaining games:

Oct. 6 Illinois
• Gates open at Noon
• Badger Legend: TBA
• Team of the Week: Men's Basketball
• Live entertainment by Mighty Short Bus
• Event ends at 2:15 p.m.

Oct. 20 Minnesota
• Gates open 2 1/2 hours before kick-off (Game time yet to be set)
• Badger Legend: Matt Shaughnessy
• Team of the Week: Men's Hockey
• Live entertainment by The Lucas Cates Band
• Event ends 15 minutes before kickoff (Game time yet to be set)

Oct. 27 Michigan State
• Gates open at Noon
• Badger Legend: Chris Pressley
• Team of the Week: Volleyball
• Live entertainment by "Mighty Short Bus"
• Event ends at 2:15 p.m.

Wisconsin Athletics and the National W Club will host the Badger Blast/Chili Kickoff event before the Ohio State game on Nov. 17. This event will be held in the UW Field House beginning 2 1/2 hours before kickoff.

Follow all the latest news about Badgerville with the new Wisconsin Football Gameday App available at the Apple App Store and on androids at Google Play.