Terrific Tailgate Parties

If it’s fall, it must be time to pack the grill, the cooler and the football jerseys in the car and head for the game, where the tailgate party in the parking lot has almost as much action as the game itself.

Tailgate parties can start as early as the morning of the game and sometimes eclipse the main event. Tailgate chili, grilled burgers, cold beer and football fan comraderie can keep tailgate partiers happy listening to the game on a portable radio long after opening kick-off.

Tailgate parties are a guy thing. They were invented by men and are one of the few entertainment venues that women haven’t taken over and ruined. Don’t take wine to a tailgate party, don’t get too fancy with the type of tablecloth or serving dishes, and serve something hearty and meaty.

Tailgate parties are not just for football. You can tailgate at soccer matches, baseball games, NASCAR, horse races and any event in which you want to get a parking spot early and have some time to spare for a pre-event party.

Some stadiums don’t allow tailgating in their parking lots. If you’re planning to tailgate before a game, call ahead and make sure it’s permitted.

Equipment You’ll Need for a Terrific Tailgate Party

Chairs – Some serious tailgaters will haul an upholstered couch to a tailgate party, turning a parking space into a living-room-away-from-home. If you’re not willing to go to that extreme, throw some fold-up camping chairs into the back of the car. The best tailgate locations are near a grassy area, where your party can spread out. But chairs on the blacktop are what tailgates are all about, so it’s all good.

Folding tables – Card tables, utility tables or camping tables can be set up to hold your buffet of tailgate food. Tablecloths in the team colors are a necessity.

Grill –A portable grill is a good investment if you’re a frequent tailgater. However many a football fan has packed up a full-sized Weber into the back of an SUV and fired up the propane at a tailgate party.

Cooler – Pick the big cooler on wheels and pack it with your favorite drinks. AskMen.com suggests freezing bottled water the night before and using the frozen water bottles as ice packs. “By the time the game winds down and the alcohol has dehydrated you, the ice will have melted and you’ll have cold bottled water ready.”

Team Spirit – Banners, face paint in your team colors, car decorations, flags, pompoms – anything that will show your fellow tailgaters who you’re there for.

Radio – A tailgate expert at Mahalo.com includes instructions on how to tote along your home satellite dish to get the game on your portable TV. At the very least, bring a battery operated AM/FM radio to keep track of when the game is starting, and to hear the pre-game report.

Preparedness – Pack a couple of blankets, a battery operated lantern and some bug spray for after dark or if the weather gets chilly.

Tailgate Food

If your bringing your grill to the tailgate, make good use of it by grilling up some sausage, bratwurst, hamburgers, barbecued chicken or ribs. Crock-pot dishes are especially good at a tailgate party – jambalaya, chili, barbecued pork, sloppy joes or beef stew can be cooked ahead of time and brought in a crock pot and kept warm.

Provide lots of snacks and munchies, chips and dip, tortillas and salsa, and finger foods for tailgaters to snack on.

Cold beer and soda are the perfect tailgate beverages. For those particularly cold games, a large thermos of hot chocolate, coffee, Russian tea or spiced cider will hit the spot.

Check out Les Tout’s Tailgate Crockpot Recipes for recipes and menu ideas for a perfect tailgate party.

More Tailgate Fun

Team banner making – Bring a roll of white butcher paper and some markers and have your fellow tailgaters help design some team banners to hang from the side of the car.

Scavenger hunt - eHow suggests a scavenger hunt that will take you from one end of the parking lot to the other. Make up your own scavenger hunt items or use these from eHow: