Over the past few years my sons, now five and six years old, have become big Penn State football fans. So, as neither of them nor my wife have ever been to a football game, I've been thinking of taking them to one. Living here near the other PSU (Portland State), I'd supposed we'd go to some local high school game or other.

But, then I thought: Why not go 500 times further to see a real game with 500 times the attendance?

OK, that's not exactly the thought process, but anyway... we've booked flights back to State College and we're going to the Akron game.

Now, I haven't been to Penn State for a game for more than ten years, and I'd have to go back another ten to count a second game at Beaver stadium. (And I barely know what all this tweedle-dee tweedle-doo stuff is.)

So, I'm hoping for your suggestions on how to make the most of the visit and the game experience for my family.

We fortunately have a place to stay since my folks still live in S.C.

But I have lots of other questions:

1. I don't have tickets yet (need 5 or 6). Any suggestions where to try to sit? I would expect it to be sunny and hot, so maybe that's a factor? And where and how might I get tickets?
2. I'd like to get the boys up close to the players. How do we do that? Hang out near the entrance to the tunnel? When does the team come through there? After, would we still have time to get to our seats for the Blue Band entrance? Or is there a better idea?
3. For a noon game when do all the pre-game activities (like the band entrance) start?
   
4. Would the Friday rally be interesting for kids?
5. Are there a lot of obnoxious drunk foul-mouthed a-holes that I need to worry about trying to avoid?
6. Any other suggestions of things to do our see on our visit?
   We'll try to get to the Creamery sometime, but we'll probably avoid the crowds on Saturday.

Thanks in advance for your help.

(edited to use those fancy number things and clarify 3.)

This and a big thanks to all the great replies and suggestions:

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