As the sun started to go down in Champaign, the increasing liveliness on Green Street was only beginning.

Families headed over after Illinois football’s loss against Minnesota. Restaurants were quickly starting to fill up with reservations because of the business of the Dads Weekend. This was making it difficult for families to find somewhere to eat.

Dillon Freed, junior in Media and Business, said that the options of places to eat in downtown Champaign were scarce for her and her dad.

“All the good places we couldn’t get into because we looked too late,” Dillon Freed said.

Dillon Freed’s dad Steve Freed added that the only reservation options at most of the restaurants were either 4:30 p.m. or 9 p.m.

Illini Pub Cycles filled Green Street and began to set the mood for the evening. Chatter could be heard everywhere as lines started to get longer at restaurants and bars.

University alum Jason Nagel and his family had been at Joe’s Brewery for about three hours after the football game. The bar was only getting more crowded as they left.

“It’s fun to be back here and everything has changed,” Jason Nagel said. “I get to see it with her (his daughter Cara Nagel) … It’s different.”

Jason Nagel’s daughter, Cara Nagel, plans to take her parents to a brunch tomorrow morning with her sorority Delta Gamma to end the weekend.

Along with Joe’s Brewery, the line for Kams was out the door. This bar seemed to be the destination for a lot of people walking along the street tonight, as the night was still young.

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Most streets on campus are unusually calm this Saturday afternoon, with most students and their dads at Memorial Stadium to watch the Fighting Illini take on Minnesota. 

One exception is Green Street, lively as always with families streaming down its sidewalks for food and entertainment. 

Mia Modugno, freshman in Business, shared a sandwich with her dad after leaving the game.

“It’s good to see him here,” Mia Modungo said, referring to her dad. “He pays for my tuition, so I want him to enjoy all of the Big Ten experience.” 

The pair attended a tailgate, game and planned to go to Joe’s Brewery later in the evening.

“It’s great. I love it,” Mia Modugno’s dad, John Modugno, said about the weekend. “I didn’t get a chance to go to college, so it’s enlightening.” 

The game against the Minnesota Gophers ended in a 25-17 loss for Illinois, and a crowd of disappointed yet spirited fans are headed to their next destination. 

Lauren Zeilstra, senior in LAS, is on the way to the bookstore with her parents. 

“It’s the last Dads Weekend, so it’s fun to have him here,” Lauren Zeilstra said. Her dad, Stuart Zeilstra, agreed. 

The orange-and-blue mass of students and dads continues, ready for an evening of fun in Champaign-Urbana. 

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As noon approaches, a mix of brisk winds and glaring heat emerge when the sun is at its peak, and we head into the second day of Dads Weekend.

The color of the trees is a nice, gradual change from green to yellow to a brownish red, yet very few of the dads and their children are walking on the Main Quad.

Inside the Illini Union, many parents walk around, lounge by the entrance or have a drink at the Starbucks inside. However, the building remains relatively quiet.

When asked about Dads Weekend, Illini father Chris Hooker said he plans to stop at some classic campus restaurants.

“We are currently taking a tour around campus,” Hooker said. “After that, we might get some good pizza at Manolo’s and then that Mexican place, Fiesta Cafe.”

When asked about his weekend, University alum Matt Unkraut said he had fun tailgating with his son.

“We just came back from a tailgate from the game, and we’re having a good time,” Unkraut said. “We’re now just walking around campus and having our son show us new places.”

Over on Green Street, many dads can be seen enjoying the day with their children, either grabbing food or shopping. Unlike the Main Quad and Union, many people were hanging out near the bars on Green Street.

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With Halloween officially over, another fall tradition has set in, bringing a new presence to the streets of Campustown — Dads Weekend. 

Dads and their children roam through Green Street, some hauling around bags of Illini Union Bookstore merchandise. This weekend, students will drag their dads around Campustown to witness the sights and sounds of University life.

Showing at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts tonight is the play “Orlando.” Aaron Madsen, Illini dad and Princeton alum, proudly dons an Illinois varsity jacket on a walk to KCPA with his family for last-minute tickets to the play.

When asked about any feelings about playing Minnesota tomorrow, Madsen predicts the Illini will take home a victory against the “obvious complete losers.”

However, Chuck Nicketta, Illini father, feels differently. 

“I don’t care who wins,” Nicketta said to the dismay of his daughters and wife. 

After some interrogation, Nicketta hesitantly revealed his favorite spots from his time as a Northern Illinois University student who would visit the University. He recalled the now-shuttered O’Malley’s and KAMS — with its infamous sticky floors — as staples for his nights in Champaign-Urbana.

Both dads said they were most excited about spending time with their children and attending the football game — cheering on the Illini or otherwise.

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As night falls and temperatures continue to drop, the number of dads on campus remains unwavering. Many students and their dads can be seen enjoying the cold night, roaming around campus.

For some dads, it’s their first time visiting campus. Dhara Pai, second-year grad student studying public health, was showing her dad around campus since it was his first visit here to Champaign-Urbana.

“The vibes are very cool,” Pai said. “He’s never been to Champaign since he is visiting from India and I’m very excited that he’s here”

Green Street is particularly busy as many students walk around, looking for a spot to take their dads to eat.

Heather Conti, senior in Media, just left the bar with her parents and was heading down Green Street to grab a bite.

“We just left Red Lion, and we are now heading to Burrito King to grab some food,” Conti said. “We then plan on going to Kams after.”

Conti also mentioned her plans with her dad for tomorrow as well.

“We are going to go to the football game and we are planning on tailgating as well,” Conti said. “We love this school… I-L-L.”

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The air is cold with a sudden snap of autumn, and Green Street is bustling with its usual groups of students, today joined by their dads. Murphy’s has begun to attract its customary crowd this Friday evening, popular as ever among Illinois students and their families.

Family members exchange cheery laughs and heartfelt hugs as they meet up with each other and take pictures in front of Alma Mater. Other dad-student duos walk around the Main Quad, some of them holding warm cups of coffee to warm up and stave off the chilly air.

James Strong Jr., junior in Engineering, was showing his dad around the Bardeen Quadrangle. 

“I’m going to show him around campus and we’re going to go to the bookstore, then go out to dinner,” Strong said. 

Strong and his dad shared they were looking forward to the football game this weekend the most.

Izzy Sauer, senior in LAS, walked around Main Quad with her brother and dad. 

“We’re going to get Canes right now because they’ve never been to the new one on Green Street,” Izzy Sauer said. 

They also shared their excitement for the football game tomorrow and the tailgate they would have leading up to the early game.

“We don’t get to see her all the time,“ Izzy Sauer’s dad, Mike Sauer, said. “I’m assuming tomorrow night, after a few caps, I’ll be crying,” Mike Sauer added with a laugh.

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