Some may say: The most wonderful time of the year is back.

“In Alabama, there are really four seasons. Winter, spring, summer and football,” said Dana Gann

Most people compare it almost to Christmas,” explains Billy Martin.

But like most things these days, the price of a ticket to a Cullman County Schools game has gone up. From $7 to $10, but parking is free.

“I didn’t get my nails done today,” Gann said. Set priorities.

“It has gone up a bit, I have to take out a small loan, but it’s worth it,” laughed Renee Martin.

“I know it’s tight for some people, some people are on a pretty tight budget, and that goes for us too, but we’re getting by,” Kelley Davis said.

Dr. Shane Barnette, superintendent of Cullman County Schools, said the increase is due to rising costs. He says maintaining a football program can cost each school about $40,000.

“If everything goes well, their program costs just under $40,000 a year from one year to the next. And that’s all for one program. Those costs increase every year. We fight to keep ticket prices low.”

“A lot of people think that this increase goes to the district or something like that, but that’s absolutely not the case. All the money stays in the local school. If you talk to any of our local football coaches, they’ll tell you something they always argue against: They have to pay to paint the field, they have to pay for fertilizer to maintain the field, for shoulder pads for helmets and so on,” he said.

Most schools sell tickets through a website called Gofan.co. For example, according to the website, a ticket at Thompson High and Tuscaloosa County High costs $12. At Clay-Chalkville, Moody, White Plains and Leeds schools, it costs $10. At Dora High, Sylacauga High and Bibb County, it costs $8 per person.

“We’ve made a few more dollars over the last 30 to 40 years, so it was time because it’s so hard to get our football program up and running and even afford it,” Barnette said.

Barnette said this year season tickets are available at last year’s price.

“This year we are increasing the price to $10, but only this year we are not charging parking.”

For families who visit Hanceville High for the Friday night game, that’s a premium they’re willing to pay to be part of the tradition of high school football.

“Those who bleed football save for it.”

“I prefer this increase to the increase you see in the grocery stores.”