5 things to know if you are heading to the Michigan State home football opener Friday

EAST LANSING — If you're planning to attend Michigan State's football opener against Central Michigan, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, there are few things you might want to know before you walk along the banks of the Red Cedar and past the Spartans statue.

From security and parking differences — including a new fee for the Farm Lane/MSU Pavilion lot — to plans for upcoming alcohol sales, this fall's football season will see a variety of changes for fans visiting campus.

Here's a look at what you need to know.

Football fans will notice a few changes this season when it comes to parking on campus, including higher costs.

General parking for tailgating is now $30, and there will be a $20 entrance fee to Lot 89/MSU Pavilion, with free roundtrip shuttle service to the stadium, MSU said in a press release.

Parking for Lot 89 previously was free, and there was a $5 fee for riding the shuttle to the stadium. The $20 fee was instituted "to alleviate issues with lines of fans waiting to purchase bus passes, which would cause buses to not make it to the stadium in time for kickoff," MSU spokesperson Dana Whyte said.

MSU also noted that Cherry Lane parking will be limited because construction is underway for a new recreational sports facility.

Parking lots will open at 2 p.m. for donors and 3 p.m. for the public for Friday's home opener. For the remaining schedule, the lots will open at 7 a.m. for games starting before 6 p.m. and 11 a.m. for night games.

Shuttle buses will run continuously beginning two hours before kickoff and ending about two hours after the game ends. Game day updates, including information about potential delays and traffic and parking suggestions, are available by texting SPARTANFB23 to 888777. The parking services website can be found here.

MSU said it will lock all academic buildings at 3 p.m. Friday.

Officials ask that doors not be blocked or propped open so buildings remain secure. For special circumstances, MSU's Security Services team can be reached here.

Tailgating is allowed in all public parking areas on campus, although parking is banned on grassy areas north of the Red Cedar River and is restricted to designated grassy areas south of the river, according to MSU's website.

The following items are banned: Couches or upholstered furniture, tents larger than 10 feet square, beer kegs or other "common source containers," and trailers, including pig roasters.

Oversized trucks must be parked in RV parking areas.

The MSU Police and Safety Department and assisting agencies patrol designated parking areas to respond to emergencies and enforce state statutes and university ordinances.

MSU's board earlier this month authorized administrators to seek a state license for selling alcoholic beverages at home games, but that won't start until mid-September.

School officials have said they hope to have state licenses in hand so vendors can sell alcoholic beverages at MSU's home games Sept. 16 against Washington, Sept. 23 against Maryland, Oct. 21 against Michigan and Nov. 4 against Nebraska, according to the resolution.

Trustee Dennis Denno said the first two home games, Sept. 1 and Sept. 9, were passed over due to logistical challenges.

Once it begins, alcohol sales will be limited to two beverages per person at a time, beginning one hour before football games and concluding when the game clock reaches 5 minutes left in the third quarter, officials said.

The stadium bag policy remains the same as last year.

Fans are allowed to carry in small clutch bags and camera and binocular cases, as well as clear bags no bigger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, including gallon-size plastic freezer bags.

Exceptions can be made for medically necessary, child care or dietary items, after inspection.Contact Ken Palmer [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.