Literature and football. Two words nearly synonymous with Iowa City. And for the first time, fans will be able to participate in both on game day.

As part of the National Day on Writing, Iowa City writing programs will sponsor a “Writing Tailgate” 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities, including literary scavenger hunts, Scrabble scrambles, magnetic poetry, a haiku contest, Twitter stories, digital storytelling, a Hemingway challenge, and others. There will be free tailgate food and writing inspired door prizes.

Between 3 and 4 p.m., Iowa Review authors James McKean and Kim Lozano will read from their work.

Aspiring teachers will lead short writing exercises and from 4 to 5 p.m., there will be an open mike event for writers to share their work.

— by Alicia Kramme