Near the state line, Georgia and Auburn fans joined Chick-fil-A watch party
While Auburn was trouncing Georgia on Saturday, a gathering of fans cheering for both schools watched 35 miles away at a Chick-fil-A pop-up restaurant opened just for the day in West Point, Ga., just across the Alabama state line.
The Atlanta-based chain served free food and displayed the game on a giant outdoor screen at a temporary "Rivalry Restaurant" that also marked the 125th anniversary of the UGA vs. Auburn University football game (the first game was played at Piedmont Park in 1892).
Half-time entertainment came from area school band members representing three nearby Alabama towns: Lanett, Valley and Opelika. Lanett borders West Point, Ga., near the Chattahoochee River. On-site games, face painting and visits by former college athletes provided entertainment throughout the game.
The location of the pop-up restaurant was on Third Avenue / U.S. 29, near the West Point, Ga. welcome center. The event was held so close to the Alabama state line (and the Lanett, Ala. city limit) that fans sitting toward the back may have been in the Central Time zone.
RELATED: More about the Chick-fil-A Rivalry Restaurant from the AJC Atlanta restaurants blog
About the Author
Brian O'Shea is a senior digital producer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He works with the newsroom to identify topics of interest to Atlanta readers and also works with voter guides and election results. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia and The Ohio State University Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism.
