Hosting a Tail Gate Party for Your Favorite Football Team

I went to my first tailgate party for my local college football team, the Bulldogs of Fresno State about 15 or 16 years ago. Back then it wasn't that big a deal - it was put on by the TV station I worked for and there weren't that many other parties around ours. We just had cold sandwiches, beer and sodas and at half time we went back for coffee and dessert. I do remember we never returned to the game (lousy game, or maybe we were way ahead?) but instead stayed out in the "field" until all the fans left and then we ended the very late night by playing silly games at someone's house.

Then, I was invited to another tailgate party about five years ago. Again, it was given by a media company - the large talk radio station where I live. Well, folks! Tailgating had gone sophisticated in the 10 or years I wasn't attending. There were two huge fields set aside for the tailgaters, and, I arrived, per my instructions, about two hours before game time. It probably took me about 15 minutes to find "my" tailgate party. The field I was in had maybe 40 - 50 separate parties. People with special passes got to park next to their assigned tailgate space. (I was parked six blocks away.) I walked by small family groups of six or eight people, huge parties of over a 100, little tents, large canopies, catering company after catering company, beer trucks, ice trucks, tables set with china, crystal and silver candelabras set up next to a few people sitting in lawn chairs. There were huge BBQ grills…some spaces had TV sets (can't miss that pre-game show!)…there were sofas and armchairs. I was told about 1/3 of the tailgaters never bother to go to the game. Wow!

I was treated to a buffet of wonderful tri tip, salad, side dishes, beer, wine, sodas and dessert. There were probably 100 - 200 guests at "my" tailgate which was held before every home game. As the owner of a local ad agency, I had a standing invitation to go and take guests as well as my clients; at that time the station pretty much issued an open invitation to anyone to stop by. After a couple of years, they had issued tickets but again they served hundreds at every game, but now just to their advertisers and invited guests. That was a fun, casual party with a different caterer every week…the table covered with butcher paper and folding chairs. Not so the one put on by one of the TV stations-there it was still a buffet but we dined on roast beef with all the trimmings, on china plates, and wine or champagne in crystal wine glasses and sat at tables with linen table cloths. Again, great fun.

So, here are some tips on how to host your own party.

First, of all, contact the stadium to see if you need to reserve a specific place. At my stadium you do and there's a long waiting list to get a space. If you plan to bring in equipment, you'll have to ask about parking spaces, times to load and unload, etc.

Next, determine what type of tailgate your group wants to have. My friend Harry parties with a group who does two catered tailgates every year and the rest are potluck. But they all organize who brings what and they're comfortably set up with chairs, tables, cooking equipment, etc.

Figure out what type of food you'll serve and the equipment you'll need and how to get it there and back home. This would be BBQ's - probably several, or a large BBQ grill, tables, chairs, paper (or linen) napkins and tablecloths, glasses, cup, dishes, utensils, serving pieces and platters, ice chests, coffee pots, lights or lanterns, blankets,charcoal or other fuel, charcoal lighter, matches, etc. I would suggest making a list. In addition you might also want - TV's, radios, (for that pre game show) pom-poms, flags, banners, and other "favorite team" necessities. If it's hot, you'll want a canopy, and depending on the crowd, maybe two or three. Don't forget the flashlights; you'll want to load up before you head off to the game, but a flashlight might come in handy when you return to your party spot to be sure you packed everything up.

Next, figure out your menu, what you'll cook there, and what you'll prepare at home. Make a list of what you're serving and two more lists. One is for non-perishable foods to pick up and the other for the perishable foods you'll need to buy. Now, you don't just want hamburgers and hot dogs. You'll want some appetizers and beer, wine or other drinks (and soda for the non drinkers), then your entrée(s) plus a few side dishes, maybe preceded by a salad. Then, dessert, and maybe coffee for night games.

Set the time - figure you should be set up about three hours prior to game time with the meal over and packed back up by about 30 minutes before game time. You'll need that much time to get walk to the stadium entrance, go through security and get to your seats.

Send out the invitations. Ask a few people to get there early and help set up. Ask a few others to help clean up and load the car(s) back up.

Have a great time.