Step1
Think of your tailgate party as a mini production along the lines of camping meets sports bar. Here’s what’s on the basic set list:
Grill, grilling supplies (check out the links below for killer mobile grills)
Coolers (best if with wheels)
Seating
Flags, banners and other team affiliated materials
Radio, boom-box or portable television
Blankets, lighting, citronella, and so forth for night games
Card tables and cloths
Food and beverage
Plates, napkins, silverware, cups, bottle opener and so on
Step2
Instead of grabbing basic folding chairs and sitting in the back of the truck, go front-porch chic and transform the parking lot into your own outdoor living space. Enlist a few guys to help load a couch or chairs from home for maximum comfort. Toss sheets or blankets in team colors over everything to protect the fabric.
Step3
Hype the #1 Fan contest by letting everyone know ahead of time that there will be a prize for most enthusiastic wardrobe. Bring the face paint, hats, foam fingers and anything else you can glue to your body and let the good times roll. For prizes, think game-day paraphernalia like team cups, key chains, bobble heads or, if you are feeling generous, tickets to the next game.
Step4
To show that you’ve got spirit, set up an extra table for team-banner making. Get a roll of white butcher paper. Then load a tool box with markers, paints, stamps, stickers, glue and glitter for fans to make some killer banners worthy of the TV camera stop and stare.
Step5
Brew some healthy competition off the grid-iron with a scavenger hunt. Make a list of things people have to find or do before the game starts, print up enough for everyone to participate and let ‘em fly. Include digital disposable cameras so the hunters can document their trek. Here are a few ideas for the hunt:
Ask to try a bite of a strangers hot dog or hamburger
Take a picture with a fan from the opposing team
Find 5 footballs
Give a high five to 3 fans of the opposite sex
Chug a beer (or soda)
Find a truck with a team license plate cover
Find a bucket hat with your teams name on it
Find 3 different types of hats with your team logo on it and take a picture with all of them on at once
Step6
A great tailgating game is baggo (order from link listed below). It comes with a board that looks like a mini-football field and bean bags. The objective is to throw the bean bags and make a touch down. It’s easy to travel with and set up and perfect for every competitor in the group.
Step7
Staking your space before the lot is jammed is key. Lay out the grilling area, have an extra table available to serve as the buffet, and bring a few coolers for drinks (don’t forget the ice).
Comments
SpeedRacer said
on 9/29/2006 Now I know how to do a tailgate right. Just wish that I had gone to a school with a football team worthy of tailgating.
riggyrules said
on 9/29/2006 Dont get to wrapped up in the tailgate that you forget your tickets to the game at home!
tommyboy2k said
on 9/29/2006 Some great tips and very creative ideas. We tailgate 5 hours or more before each game good so it is good to have some other activities.
richard said
on 9/29/2006 This is great tips for the big USC football season. Printed it out and bringing it with me to the USC-Washington game.