WINNING TAILGATE
BY STACEY MEADOWS
1. SHOW YOUR TEAM SPIRIT!
Sporting your team colors is a simple way to show your team spirit. In the South, we tailgate in hot and humid weather at the beginning of football season, while the last game of the season can be cold and occasionally frosty. With these major temperature variances, it’s not always easy to sport a team jersey. Instead of logoed items, look for functional pieces and fun accessories in your team colors.
Check out these sites for spirited game day styles.
http://www.sidelinesweetie.com
http://www.firstandtengamedaydresses.com
http://www.volunteertraditions.com
2. BE PREPARED
Be sure to check the tailgating policy for the venue before planning. These policies can vary from school to school, so plan accordingly. Planning for tailgating is very similar to planning for a camping trip. You need to make sure that you have every item you need and you need to plan for unexpected needs that may arise. Once you’re on campus, it’s usually very difficult to leave and return.
3. PLAN TO ARRIVE EARLY AND STAY LATE
You should plan to arrive two to three hours prior to game time and plan on staying two hours after the game ends. Hopefully, you’ll be celebrating your team’s victory with fellow fans. We southerners do love our football, and with that in mind, here are some sites that list just about any schedule you may need:
www.fbschedules.com lists college and pro-team schedules. www.coacht.com- lists local high school schedules.
Compile a checklist of all items that you will need on game day. Then, use the checklist as you are packing the car on game day. Make sure to include items from our must pack list.
MUST PACK LIST
- Garbage bags
- Toilet paper
- Wet wipes
- Jumper cables
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- First aid kit
- Scissors
- Tape
- Extra ice – you always need an extra bag
Plan your menu in advance. Be sure to have plenty of snacks. Try this recipe for a simple snack mix.
TOUCHDOWN CRUNCH SNACK MIX
4 ½ cups Rice Chex® cereal
4 ½ cups Wheat Chex® cereal
1 can of Blue Diamond habanero BBQ almonds
1 cup of peanuts
2 cups of bite sized cheese crackers
½ stick of butter
¼ cup sriracha sauce
2 tablespoons worchestshire sauce
1 packet of dry ranch dressing mix
Heat oven to 250°F. In large bowl, mix cereal, peanuts, and crackers. Melt butter in a large roasting pan in the oven. Stir sriracha, worcestshire, and ranch mix into melted butter mixture. Gradually stir in dry mix ingredients. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Stir in almonds at the end. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container
