Football's Back! Hooray!

09/07

In a community drenched in barbecue and camaraderie, the rules are simple. Unlike in the stadiums where battle lines are drawn by shirt colors and face paint, outside in the tailgating neighborhood everyone is family. And in this family you’re welcome to all the burgers, bratwurst and beverages you want.

That’s not to say that tailgaters agree on everything. Perhaps the biggest dispute is how collegiate tailgating began. According to Princeton, tailgating originates back to 1869 during the first intercollegiate football game between Princeton and Rutgers.

Arriving on carriages to the game, fans brought wild game and fish to subdue hunger during their journey. Yale, however, fervently believes its university is responsible for the first tailgating party which they claim occurred at a school football game in 1904. Traveling by train, these sportfans had to walk to the university from the train station and packed picnics to enjoy before the game.

While the birth place is unknown, the transformation of this beloved pastime into a booming industry within the past five years is undeniable. According to the American Tailgaters Association, an estimated 50 million tailgaters will spend roughly $15 billion during this year alone. Out of those 50 million (mostly comprised of men between the ages of 25-54) 57 percent make at least $75,000 annually.

Unlike their forefathers, the modern tailgater has not only traded in the horse and carriage for RV’s and SUVs, but extended the duration of the tailgate party all together. No longer is tailgating considered a pre-game party but an all game, all day festivity.

Identical in most ways, the only significant differences between collegiate and professional football tailgaters are age and tailgate longevity. Although collegiate tailgaters trend more towards younger men than professional football, alumni from universities balance out the demographic. Professional football tailgaters often have shorter tailgate times than college tailgaters but spend more on tickets.

Whether you are a veteran member of the community or a tailgater newbie, one can never be over-prepared. On game day, some tailgaters arrive at 5 a.m. and others come the night before so they can grab the best spot. It’s always a good idea to arrive three to four hours before kickoff and hang out at least two hours after the game to truly enjoy the tailgating experience. Keep in mind, grassy spots or parking row ends are ideal for spacious grilling room and to toss a football around or situate your spread.

If you are planning to stay in a hotel during your trip, be sure and make your reservations a couple of weeks in advance. You may even need to make reservations a couple of months in advance depending on the game. Prepare for the worst. Be sure to have ponchos, umbrellas, ice scrapers and a first-aid kit in your vehicle in case of bad weather and emergencies.

If you are driving to a stadium you have never visited before, research your trip before you leave. If anything, make sure to make a list of gas stations locations within each city or state so that you do not end up stranded on the side of the highway.

Charge your cell phone the night before you leave and if you don’t already own a car charger for your cell, invest in one. If you are going to actually go to the game, before you even pull out of your driveway, be sure you have your tickets with you. Buy a couple of cheap sunglasses and keep them in your vehicle in case your favorite pair breaks or if a fellow tailgater needs to borrow a pair. Sun blocks are always a primary staple to bring along and remember, just because you put it on in the morning doesn’t mean it will last all day. Put on an extra coat during half time, so you don’t end up looking (and feeling) like a hot dog at the end of the day.

Don’t wear your favorite clothes or clothing that you wouldn’t want to get dirty. While it’s nice to look good, remember this is a football game and you will be outside all day, so don’t wear anything you don’t want to get sweaty, muddy or ketchup stained. If you are bringing food to cook on the grill, keep these tips in mind from Smokey Bones Barbecue & Grill before you come to the game.

Have a Game Plan
Think about what you’d like to have on your menu and prepare a couple of days before the game. Football teams always have a game plan to ensure success, so why shouldn’t you?

Fire and Ice
Make sure your cooler is the right size for you and your bunch. To keep your food cool as long as possible, pack it with as much ice as you can fit.
Don’t forget to bring your own charcoal and remember good barbecue requires indirect heat. Place the meat on the grill next to where the charcoal is located. Give your charcoal at least 30 minutes to heat up and refrain from overloading your grill with meat. The more meat you’ve got piled on, the longer the cooking time will be.

Don’t Make ‘Em Wait
At least 1 and 1/2 hours before kickoff, your food should be done and ready to eat. This way, fans who are actually going to watch the game inside the stadium will have a chance to eat and still have time to go back for more and to clean up after themselves.

Tailgaters are passionate and they love to show it. With finger foods, fans won’t be distracted by silverware and will be able to throw up their hands during touchdowns or bad calls.

Two things tailgaters expect during a game: to have fun and fill up on great food. Keep your group full during the day with an assortment of appetizers and sides while your main dishes are still cooking. Also keep in mind that for most tailgaters there are two meals on the itinerary list: before the game and after. Try and keep some meat cool until the fourth quarter, then put it on the grill towards the end of the game so your food will be ready for post game celebration... or acceptance.

Each game in this community is like Christmas day for its members. But for tailgaters, it’s OK to give more than you receive. ATA reports that before each game, tailgaters spend more than $500 on supplies. Not the kind of gift you’d put on your list? While supplies may not sound like the most exciting purchases, they are crucial for bragging rights. Tailgaters do spend quite a lot on basic staples like food, beverages and disposable utensils, but at the top of their wish list is the latest high-tech product to show off to their neighbors.

Whether it’s a new TV, satellite, grill or automotive the members of this community heartily embrace the new and are always trying to keep up with trends.

When it’s finally time to turn off the grill and pack up the RV or SUV, the smoke may fade into the night, but the hospitality and sense of community is never boxed or stored away in zip lock baggies because these fans are always ready for the next game.