For years, Kansas City arguably has been known as the best city in America for NFL tailgating. Arrowhead Stadium may be the home of the Chiefs, but the parking lot boasts on-the-site barbecue extraordinaires, loyal-but-friendly fans and conveniently placed port-a-potties.

But you'd be surprised by how good a time college football fans in the area are having every Saturday. In fact, some are having just as much fun before the game as they are at the game.

Every university and its fan base offers a unique tailgating experience, and Missouri Western is no exception. Marcus and Elizabeth Atkinson have been loyal Western tailgaters since 2005, when their son, Daniel, was a redshirt freshman defensive tackle. Now Daniel is a senior, and the Atkinsons are one of the more recognizable couples hanging out near Spratt Stadium on Saturdays.

"We try to get the same (parking) spot every time," Mrs. Atkinson says. "We left the house at 7:30 in the morning last Saturday just to get it."

Mrs. Atkinson admits that Western may not have the kind of football tradition that bigger schools have, but she has seen an increase in tailgaters and an improved atmosphere. Several Griffon fans come out to grill burgers, play washers and crank up the tunes.

It's not quite as organized as tailgating in Maryville, where the Bearcat Zone is the place to be before Northwest Missouri State University football games. For two hours every game day at College Park (just across the street from Bearcat Stadium), Bearcat fans are treated to catered food, live entertainment and "the march to the stadium."

"Whether you're a true Bearcat or not, you're more than welcome to come," says Anitra Clark, a 2005 Northwest grad and vice president of the Alumni Association's St. Joseph chapter. "It's really a great event."

Admission to the Bearcat Zone is free, but Campus Dining provides catered food for $5 to $7. Also, children can have their pictures taken in a Northwest football or cheerleading uniform.

An hour-long concert also is provided at the College Park Pavilion. Soca Jukebox will provide the music this weekend before the Bearcats game, and the Jason Riley Trio will perform on Oct. 24.

A pep rally featuring the Bearcat Marching Band, Steppers and cheerleaders follows the concert each week.

The Tiger Walk at the University of Missouri is a pep rally and much more. A few hours before gametime, the Mizzou players and coaches walk from the training facility and cross the bridge to Faurot Field while fans line the path. And, of course, a sea of black and gold humanity surrounds the stadium.

"The parking lots are just absolutely full and people are everywhere," says Larry Morrow, president of the Mizzou Alumni Association Buchanan County Chapter.

The most popular Mizzou tailgating spots are Lot A, where the alums hang out, and the lots south of the Hearnes Center inhabited by many students. In fact, some of them may never leave when Missouri hosts Nebraska tonight.

"Some people who even have tickets don't make it into the game because they're having such a good time," Mr. Morrow laughs.

While hot wings from Willie's Fieldhouse are a popular tailgating treat at MU, the purple-clad Kansas State fans are a bit more creative. Many K-State tailgaters cook up opponent-themed foods. For example, when the Wildcats play the Colorado Buffaloes, you can find buffalo chicken sandwiches and buffalo wings all around Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

"They usually have some sort of fowl when they play (the Kansas Jayhawks) or something from a feathered bird," says Karen Graves of the K-State Alumni Association. "Usually, you can find a big steak when K-State is playing (the Texas Longhorns). They're very clever."

Manhattan, Kan., is widely recognized as one of the best tailgating spots in the nation. It's so much fun that a lot of the people who go out to tailgate don't even have tickets to the game.

"From the sea of purple ... to the music and drum cadence from the band and the smell of barbecue, all the sense are brought into play," Mrs. Graves says.

Barbecue is big in Lawrence, too, where Kansas fans are hoping their team can win a Big 12 Championship.

"We may have some grilled Tiger this year," laughs Dan Boulware of the University of Kansas Alumni Association.

Mr. Boulware says that what stands out at KU are the sights of the beautiful campus, the majesty of The Hill and the enthusiasm of loyal Jayhawk fans.

"It's an upbeat experience," he says. "It's not a quiet thing. It's active."

Lifestyles reporter Shea Conner can be reached at sheaconner@npgco.com.