About Tailgate Parties

Americans love to support their favorite sports teams by throwing tailgate parties before a game, typically a college football game. These parties allow for socialization among fans of the same team as well as the competing team. Tailgating is also about eating barbecue and having refreshments before cheering on your favorite team.

History

Claims to have been the inventor of tailgating are many. Some say that the 1869 game between Rutgers and Princeton was the first tailgate, and others say that it was a Packers game in 1919, which, unlike the Princeton game, actually had food cooked on truck tailgates. So it is not clear which game held the first tailgating party. It is known that tailgating began because there was no food sold at games so fans had to bring their own food and drinks.

Significance

Tailgating is an aspect of being a team fan. It is not just about the food but also about celebrating your favorite team, getting pumped up and discussing the game with friends before entering the stadium.

Function

Tailgating is a way to feed the people who attend the game. At times people use tailgate parties as a way to consume alcohol before entering an alcohol-free stadium.

Features

Spotting a tailgate party is simple if you know what to look for: they are often found in the parking lots surrounding sports stadiums. People set up tents and pull their barbecue grills behind their vehicles. Barbecue is the most popular food at a tailgating party, and people barbecue everything from hot dogs to steak.

Considerations

Tailgating has become so popular that rules have been set in place by many schools and stadiums. It is wise to call ahead and find out the particular rules for a specific location. Rules for tailgating usually involve the times when set up can take place and when the tailgaters must leave, if alcohol consumption can take place on the premises, and how many people can be located in one area.

Resources

• Tailgating Trivia