Origins of Tailgating
A live football game just wouldn't be the same without a case of beer, grilled meat, a parking lot and some good buddies--a gathering commonly known as a tailgate party. Tailgating refers to a social event that usually takes place around the open tailgate of a truck before a sports game. These parties involve food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, along with a healthy dose of team spirit. From humble post-Civil War roots, tailgating has become a widespread U.S. tradition. Does this Spark an idea?
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Origins
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Chris Warner, author of "A Tailgater's Guide to SEC Football," traces the practice of enjoying food and football together to the 19th century, after the Civil War. He says experts generally attribute the concept of tailgating to the first organized football game between Rutgers and Princeton in the fall of 1869, when spectators traveled by horse-drawn carriages and cooked up a fish and wild game supper before the game.
Development
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Modern-day tailgating started heating up in the 1970s, when football fans started to grill in stadium parking lots before games, according to Warner. Fans would drop the tailgate of their truck or station wagon and have a picnic in the back. Tailgating's popularity today comes with a focus on social interaction and food in an increasingly fast-paced and virtual world. Joe Cahn, the self-proclaimed "Commissioner of Tailgating," calls it "the new American community," as it's all about slowing down, hanging out with friends, sharing a meal and rooting for favorite teams.
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Key Feature
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A key part of tailgating is the food, and each region of the country serves up its own distinctive dishes. A classic pre-game party menu includes grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips and dips, but Cahn says avid tailgaters have branched out into more sophisticated fare, from boiled lobsters in New England to smoked salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Television cooking shows produce specials on tailgating fare, and many books, catalogs, magazines and websites offer menus, entertainment ideas and specialized gear for tailgaters.
Considerations
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While most tailgate parties focus on good-natured fun, some pre-game parties have made national news for getting out of hand. In 2007, the NFL cited security concerns and banned tailgating at the Super Bowl in Miami. In 2004 and 2005, University of Florida students died during pre-game parties, and many colleges have taken steps to crack down on underage drinking, reports Greg Allen on NPR.org. As long as tailgaters drink responsibly, use designated drivers and keep the team spirit positive, tailgating serves as a memorable way to bond with friends and celebrate tradition.
Considerations
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According to Cahn, tailgaters should wear team colors or a jersey to the festivities to show their spirit. The hosts should park next to a grassy area, if possible, to allow plenty of room for the pre-game party to spread out. Along with a bounty of food, party hosts should bring extra ice, trash bags, rain gear, sunscreen and antacids. Arrive three to four hours before the game to share food with other tailgaters, toss around a football, relax and enjoy the company.
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References
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- Photo Credit Big grill image by Gretchen from Fotolia.com
