Fan Becomes Celebrity Documenting Tailgate Parties at Levi’s Stadium

Santa Clara, California — A fan’s passion for tailgating has turned him into a bit of a celebrity at Levi’s Stadium. Ken Guanga started capturing the celebratory spirit of fans in the parking lot and now boasts a substantial following on social media.

“Basically, I go around to tailgates at Levi’s and capture everyone just having fun,” Guanga said. He was a video producer who brought his skills to the parking lots, aiming to document the festive atmosphere surrounding 49ers games.

With his growing popularity, brands have taken notice. The Gold Bar Whiskey company provides him with free samples, which he shares with fellow tailgaters. His friend, Raj Melwani, commented on their newfound influence, saying, “We get so many brands that come to us because we have such a big reach. They want to put their brand on our page.” This collaboration has turned their pastime into a budding business.

Guanga has become a welcome participant in the community. Fellow fan “Niner Frank” proclaimed, “I love this guy. That’s my favorite right there,” as he embraced Guanga. Margie Carrington, one of Guanga’s original tailgating friends, highlighted his contributions: “He takes pictures of other people’s tailgates and posts them on Instagram, getting the vibe going.”

One fixture of the tailgating scene is George Astin, founder and chef of the “3rd Rail 9ers” tailgate. “So, we’ve been doing this for 24 years,” Astin said, adding that he has missed only four home games in 20 years. He crafts gourmet meals specific to the visiting teams, saying of the Jacksonville Jaguars, “We figure it’s Gulf. We’re going to make prawns and surf and turf.”

As Guanga films the culinary creations and the jubilant fans, he reflects on his journey. He became a devoted 49ers fan after buying a home in Santa Clara the same year the team announced their move. Now a season ticket holder, he walks to the stadium and enjoys documenting tailgates.

“It’s super fun,” Guanga shared. “I look forward to football season. And when we’re winning, it elevates everything else, right?” But he also noted that the experience isn’t solely about the team’s performance. “Hey, I can go to a tailgate, and if you lose, I can say, like, Niners may have lost, but I had a great time at the tailgate.”