Spirits were running high Saturday afternoon as Alabama and Auburn fans descended on the Beloit Community Center to watch the Iron Bowl.

“It’s a big rivalry game, so it’s a lot of fun,” said Beloit Community Organization (BCO) Vice Chairman Charlie Moppins. “You can’t tell what might happen.”

This is the second year the group has hosted an Iron Bowl watch party in an effort to raise funds to renovate the old community center.

Visitors paid $5 to get in and received a meal. People were also able to purchase tickets for a chance to win an Alabama or Auburn gift basket.

Last year’s event attracted more than 100 people and Moppins expected that number to double by the end of this year’s rivalry game.

The old community center, which was purchased by the BCO in 1974, is quickly becoming a center for activity in the small community of Beloit, but Moppins would like to see it grow.

Right now, the BCO hosts several events at the space, including its annual Fun Day Festival in October. According to Moppins, this year’s event attracted around 600 people.

“It’s getting bigger every year,” Moppins said.

Moppins would like to see it become a venue for a variety of activities, especially those that would cater to seniors to provide them with a sense of community and allow them the opportunity to get out of their homes.

“When they sit and stare at those four walls all day, they start to lose their minds,” Moppins said. “I want to be able to give them something to do so they can get out more.”

As the game started, fans took to either side of the room to cheer on their team while enjoying a variety of food prepared by members of the BCO.

“Some of these Alabama fans got thin skin,” Moppins said with a smile. “We got to keep them separated.”

For his part, Moppins was hoping to see another Auburn upset at this year’s Iron Bowl.