1. The marching band is cool

The Band of the Fighting Irish is a nonstop marching machine. Usually given at least two weeks to prepare for its first halftime performance, the band finds itself with only one week to spit out a show for Saturday’s game against Kansas. Not only does the band add spirit to the actual game, but it performs throughout the weekend at various spots around campus.

As the band plays the large array of Notre Dame songs — from the victory march to “Notre Dame, Our Mother” — be sure to play along with whatever hand movements may go along with each song.

• Notre Dame, Our Mother: Sway to and fro with arms around neighbors

• 1812 Overture: Wave “b”- and “d”-shaped hands back and forth

• Notre Dame Victory March: Clap hands and sing

• When Irishbacks Go Marching By: Clap hands

• Down the Line: Clap hands

2. People begin football Saturday early

In the form of tailgating, a good number of Notre Dame fans rise early Saturday morning to begin preparation for the afternoon’s football game. Ingesting anything from brats and ale to soda in a can, Irish tailgaters add a free-spirited tinge to the crisp fall mornings, particularly the occasional bagpipe-player tooting the victory march throughout the campus.

The morning is also marked by the exquisite aroma that emanates from Port-a-Pit, as in barbeque pit, which is located by the JACC each Saturday morning.

3. Candlelight dinner at the dining hall

Following every home game, both dining halls sponsor a candlelight dinner, bringing out balloons and candles to celebrate Notre Dame football, win or lose. Just as with Saturday brunch, the dining halls receive a good amount of business from non-students, particularly alumni or parents of students. Considering there is usually a crowd at regular dinners, expect candlelight dinners to be especially crowded and chaotic.

The menu at candlelight dinners is usually a notch above the typical dining hall menu. Unfortunately, most of the items on the menu have distractingly exotic names, such as new-scored rosemary potatoes or German Swiss cheese soup. Is it German or Swiss? Only the dining hall knows.

4. Post-game prayer

Thirty minutes after the football game, several Masses will take place throughout campus. They occur in the chapels at the following dorms: Alumni, Cavanaugh, Dillon, Keenan-Stanford, Morrissey, Siegfried and Walsh. Mass is also celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart 30 minutes following the game, and at Stepan Center 45 minutes after the game.

5. Visitors abound

Each Notre Dame football game brings a contingent of alumni, parents and non-student fans, so be careful not to do anything that will get you mentioned or pictured in Monday’s newspaper. Though such behavior is commonly accepted, it is not necessary.

• Five important things to know about a Notre Dame Football Weekend