Food

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by EricH

As I recall, bottled water is allowed in the pits, and there are usually drinking fountains.

I guess that depends on the event. I just double-checked the rules and they say nothing about bringing in drinks, just food; at VCU they search your bags to make sure you aren't carrying food or drink into the building (or other some other things, like guns, I imagine). As I recall, they aren't quite as uptight at the Championship, and they definitely weren't at Palmetto (they actually gave the teams some bottled water at Palmetto). I guess you're right about water fountains, but I have always been wary of them at FIRST competitions; I'm usually not a person that is uptight about keeping everything clean and germ-free (case-in-point: I make a point of avoiding anti-bacterial soap and other excessively powerful sanitizers), but after my brother mysteriously came down with mono right after a regional, not to mention the norovirus outbreak at VCU in 2004, I try to avoid them.

[MasterMkanik]

Originally Posted by kfox1731

I know at the VCU Regional they don't let you bring any type of food from the outside into the stadium. They wouldn't even let us bring in Starbucks so they probably wouldn't like candy.

Well... if you know how to do it right, you can get past em.... I generally wear huge cargo pants, and put all the food in my pants and a drink or two up my sleeve.... then i just walk inside in the middle of my team, as long as you don't have a bag and don't look suspicious, they wont stop you, then i eat it in the stands and trow away the trash. We also hide drinks and food inside our tool cart and then hide it in the pit.

[KTorak]

Usually, at GLR, it's nice enough to eat outside. My dad will run and get fast food for me and the other drivers and stuff and we'll just eat outside on the sidewalk.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by KTorak

Usually, at GLR, it's nice enough to eat outside. My dad will run and get fast food for me and the other drivers and stuff and we'll just eat outside on the sidewalk.

Same at L.A. and S.D. Actually, at S.D., there are two or three fast-food places in the parking lot. The only issue with those is that they were sometimes full...

L.A.'s nearest place is a Subway across the street. If you know what a Subway is like...

[Cow Bell Solo]

One thing is don't worry as there is always food nearby to most of the Regional Facilatys, some even sell their own food. Think of FIRST values about sneaking food in.

[Betty_Krocker]

Originally Posted by kfox1731

I know at the VCU Regional they don't let you bring any type of food from the outside into the stadium. They wouldn't even let us bring in Starbucks so they probably wouldn't like candy.

yeah, vcu is tight on the food thing, we had to eat in 4 person teams last year...

[Mike Martus]

WARNING: You are violating the rules of FIRST if you pass out any candy or food. Please read the 2008 manual.

Many, many, many years ago we passed out Michigan Fudge.... a real hit among all. We stopped because it violates FIRST Rules.

[ay2b]

The best way to get food at a FIRST event is to sign up as a volunteer (BTW, you'll also get a free T-shirt.)

[hipsterjr]

Originally Posted by Pat A.

All the events MARS has attended do not allow food to be passed out at the venue. Site rules for the Florida Regional state:

"Do not give out any free food products, such as candy, water, soft drinks, or fruit. You may trade team pins, however."

I'd suggest checking on the site info/rules at events you'll be attending here

oh man, I was going to throw candy into the stands at Florida . Oh well

[Cow Bell Solo]

I just found Out that at the Minnesota Regional this year that there is no food allowed on the grounds