Football fans once again convened Saturday for what has become an Ann Arbor pastime - tailgating in support of the Michigan football team.

The parking lot at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School was host to the largest group of students, families and others who made road trips from across the country.

About 60 recreational vehicles sat parked at Pioneer, their occupants watching the game on satellite television, barbecuing, playing music and dancing.

Many came with the Road Dogs, a group of fans from all over Michigan who travel in their RVs to see Wolverine football.

"There's people from every walk of life here for one thing - to enjoy Michigan football. We all share food and drinks, and I've made a hell of a lot of friends," said Road Dog John Snyir.

He said he has had season tickets for football and hockey since 1959 and he's been tailgating since 1974. "We come in rain, snow and hail," he said.

"This is the Mecca for football and tailgating," said Road Dog Kevin McCulloch.

University alum Conrad Bernys was playing fight songs on an accordion. Bernys said he follows the football team around the country and he hasn't missed a game - home or away - in 34 years.

The streets surrounding the Big House were crowded with barbecues and tailgaters.

Stan Edwards, father of Michigan receiver Braylon Edwards, held a barbecue after the game for the football players.

"There's a lot of players who aren't from (Michigan). We just want to give them a home-cooked meal and make them feel at home," Edwards said.

Food was cooked on a nearly six-foot grill, custom made from two barrels welded together. The hungry football players ate sausage, pork links and three-meat lasagna, among other things.

LSA freshman Tyrone Jordan has been going to the barbecue since it began, roughly two years ago. "I just like to eat, talk and have fun," he said.

At Fifth Avenue and Hill Street, students partied at a lumber yard that a local business lets them use. The center of attention was a bus painted maize and blue with a porch on top and a bar and couches inside. Next to the bus, other students formed a circle to show off their dance skills.

"Last year we all got together, threw in some money, got a bus and renovated it," said master's of business administration student Ben Carpenter.