|
|
|
|
The Best Tailgating Experiences sent to us by Tailgaters across America:
|
|
| The best experience I have had was in Richmond.,Va after labor day every year. We drive our RV and their is a community beside the Raceway and it is really cool. Its like one big party , you can practically go from yard to yard and their are cars and trucks and RVs loaded with goodies. Outdoor grills , you don't need anything......crabs,ribs, burgers,fish, beer, more beer....and if you have a RV we all meet up on Savannah Ave......try and get there Thursday or early Friday........you will not be disappointed. Its sort of a quiet treasure but every year it has gotten bigger and bigger and the party goes on well into the night...from Rex and Kathy |
|
|
|
I’m a big fan of your site! I wanted to share a tradition a fellow tailgater and I began 3 years ago, we call it Super College Football Weekend! We pick a random college game each year that we have no ties to and just go up and experience the tradition that school has to offer. Penn State was our first stop last year we went to Georgia, this year we are going to LSU vs. S. Carolina. 4 guys made the first year, last year we had 6 and we are already up to 11 for this year. We go out on the town on Friday night and get up early to tailgate on gameday. from John S. in Jacksonville, Florida |
|
|
| I'm an Auburn alumni and tailgate under the shadows of Jordan-Hare stadium at every home game during the fall with the self proclaimed Auburn Stage Crew Alumni Association. For the 2005 Iron Bowl my father in-law and I rolled on to campus at 5:00 a.m. to get the grill started for the 12 whole chickens, 6lbs. of sausage and vat of brunswick stew we cooked for the 100 or so folks at our tailgate. The game was at 2:30 p.m. Needless to say we ran out of food. Fast forward to the 2006 Auburn Georgia game (The oldest rivalry in the South) and you have a recipe for a 4:00 a.m. grill start time - 18 whole chickens, 4lbs. of sausage and sides you wouldn't believe. Again feeding about 100 people. This year we dumped the 36" TV for a 10'x10' screen and projector to watch the other games while we eat, drink and be merry. We also had an addition to almost all of our tailgates this year, it was our 9 month old daughter's first Auburn/Georgia game, she only missed two games all season. While the outcome was not in our favor the tailgating was top notch. After 14 hours of being on campus it was time to head back to the house. We're already planning for next season. WAR EAGLE! from Nick in Atlanta, Ga. |
|
|
| Navy Homecoming vs Tulane 11/5/05. We contacted Joe Cahn and invited him to our TooInten(t)se Tailgate. We host several Navy Midshipmen and their families and all together have approx 100 people from several states attend. We had been trying for over 7 years to be the "Tailgate Winner" at a Navy home game. We set up our 2 tents, tables, decorations and grille and hoped that Joe would join us. Joe not only joined us for breakfast but also made it afterwards to enjoy pulled pork, smoked ribs, different chilis and a variety of sausages, kielbasas and home made desserts. The fellowship was even more special with our contingent of New Orleans natives who were able to share heartfelt stories with Joe and to strategize about the future. The tailgate tips, special gifts from Joe ( you know what they were ) and genuine good times, coupled with a Navy victory made the day special. Joe had a chance to meet some of our special Mids and to understand the bond we have as sponsors as these young men and women pledge to serve and protect our country. GO NAVY and thanks Joe for the best tailgate we could imagine!!!!!!! By the way, we did win the award after all!...Greg, Amy, John, Heidi and the TooInten(t)se Gang |
|
|
| I'm surprised no one has mentioned tailgating at Auburn University. What others consider early tailgating (Friday or even Thursday) it starts at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday before the game when many RV's pull in. There are acres of free dry camping spots for RVs and by game time the place is awash in orange and blue. For the really big games, such as any SEC opponent, you almost have to be there Wednesday. There are other RV parking spaces nearer the stadium which can be reserved for the season, but they don't let RVs in until Friday. But the parties are in full blast by that time at the free RV lot near the Ham Wilson Arena. I remember most of the games. It is rare that all 86,000 (plus) seats are not full....Art E. |
|
|
|
I’ve been to other NFL stadiums for games and was very disappointed in their versions of tailgating; some didn’t have any at all. I’m a Chiefs season ticket holder and am very proud to be thru the good times and bad. Tailgating is such an important part of the whole football game experience. The discussion of what to bring and what we’re going to be cooking starts a week prior to the game. The head count goes from 10 to 12 to 25, and that’s just the ones who let us know they’re coming (we’ve had as many as 60 people at 1 time). We have to make sure the beer taps on the inside and outside of the bus are in good working order and that the satellite dish is hooked up, and make sure the air conditioning/heat is working properly—there are times when you want to be really comfortable. We leave our house at 7:30 am (for noon games) to pick up our passengers so we can be at Arrowhead when the gates open. We take our usual spot in parking lot D and the party begins. What to do before the game? There’s watching the pre-game shows on TV or listening to it on the radio, as well as listening to music blaring over our neighbor’s stereo to get us more into the football mode. Did I mention countless appetizers? There are mini football games happening and most certainly a few washers games going on—if you’re from St. Louis, you know what I’m talking about. Of course, during all of this you look around you and all you see is a haze all over from the grills and the fabulous smell from all of the different foods. There’s so much laughter and camaraderie; everyone talks to each other and has a great time, whether you’re for the Chiefs or not. Its fun to give the fans of the opposing teams a hard time, but its all in fun and the ones who come in from out of town return because they enjoyed the experience so much. There are people who come to each and every game, just for the tailgating; they don’t even have tickets to the game!!!! Once the game is over, the tailgating starts all over again. Our day at Arrowhead ends around 4:30 pm. I know each team’s fans say their tailgating is the best, but Kansas City is incomparable. So if anyone gets the chance to come here to a game, please don’t pass it up. You won’t be sorry….Amy G. Lenexa, KS
|
|
|
| I am an NIU alumni and make it back to DeKalb for at least 2 games a year since. Tailgating has always been great, even when we played poorly. But now that Coach Novak has got this program humming for the past 5 seasons, tailgating has solidified itself as a staple for NIU home games. Whether you’re in the East lot with the Greeks, the South in the tents, the West with the Huskie boosters, or the far west with everyone else, NIU Huskie fans are pumped for home games. The tailgate parties are looking more and more elaborate every year. The fans are as generous with their beers and food as they are excited for the game. Don’t forget those folks having a few cold ones at Molly’s or any other local watering hole. Home games at NIU are great right now and we’re really building a perfect college football environment for mid-majors to model themselves after. Heck, at least half of the Big 10 schools could learn a thing or 2 about tailgating and having fun when attending an NIU home game...from Sean in Willow Springs, IL |
|
|
| The best tailgating in the country, pro or not, is at the University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss. The Grove, the main tailgating spot, has been recognized by Sports Illustrated as the single best tailgating place in the country. Hundreds of large tents, some even with chandeliers hanging from the tops, fill The Grove under huge oak trees, except for marked off walkways. The party starts early, sometimes as early as 7am for 11am games. The male students, dressed in their finest coat and tie, have a "date" they bring to The Grove each game. The players walk through The Grove on The Walk of Champions two hours before gametime. But, the band playing has to be one of the most incredible sights. Thousands of people(around 10,000 or more for big games) crowd as close as possible around The Pride of the South for the playing of fight songs such as Dixie and From Dixie with Love. I've been on both sides, in the band and a fan. As a fan, seeing and hearing thousands of people sing the Alma Mater with the band and From Dixie with Love is bone-chilling. As a band member, having thousands of people yell after every note that you play is the experience of a lifetime. There is no tailgating experience that can half-way compare to being in the Grove on Saturday afternoons...from Jason W. in Jackson, Mississippi |
|
|
| Because of my current employment status, I am not fortunate enough to enjoy the many college tailgating extravaganzas going on across the great state of Oklahoma on Saturdays. However, a few years ago some of us thought, at least we could get into tailgating on Friday nights at the high school football games. We have many folks practically pleading for food and even serve the athletic director, principal, vice principal, and local cops almost every game. I noticed when basketball season started last year, a group gathered and started tailgating at those. Who would have imagined tailgating at a high school basketball game? Please keep in mind commissioner, I am not debasing the basketball tailgaters, just merely astounded. This year marked the third year for high school football tailgating for our group. We couldn't wait to arrive at the bare parking lot and setup our gear. What we saw when we entered the lot had shocked us. A camp of people in our tailgating spot, and they were tailgating. Now we have a few camps of people setup at each game. Never would have thought....from Bob G. in Oklahoma |
|
|
| I was handed the title to Da Bus, a tailgating icon in Soldier Field in Dec. 2002. Da Bus is a 1974 International 1700 series school bus that was won in a card game back in 1989. It soon was the most sought after tailgate party in the lot. 2003 was our first exciting season as owners of Da Bus. After extensive rehab, Da Bus was back in action. from Anne S. in Chicago |
|
|
| It was Tuesday in Oxford, MS and it was no ordinary Tuesday. On this particular weekend Ole Miss plays LSU for the SEC West Championship. RV's were already showing up to get a spot to park. The week was unbelievably enthusiastic around the small elegant town of Oxford, MS. No one could get the game off of their mind, not even the teachers. Every night of the week people were coming in flocks to see the game of the year. There were suppose to be more people in the small town than the town could hold. That didn't matter because if you didn't have a place to stay someone would be there to give you a couch or even their own bed to sleep in. That is the way people do things in the South. By the time Friday came you couldn't even go to the gas station because of the traffic. The grocery stores and the liquor stores were full from open to close. You could feel it in the air that this was not just a game, it was a way of life. People were waiting in their cars all night for the time that they could go claim their spot in the Grove. On this night it wasn't just Ole Miss fans it was LSU fans as well. If people aren't aware of the rivalry between the two schools just ask someone from LSU or Ole Miss. It is a traditional rivalry rich with memories and life long friends. This particular game it was Eli Mannings last home game as a REBEL. For those of you who don't understand the significance, it was an ending to an era or a legacy. Ole Miss and LSU fans have been talking about the Mannings way before Eli was born. On this day it was the youngest and last Manning to face off between these two schools at least for a while. With everyones heart pumping and chill bumps standing gameday was finally here. The party starts at 6:00 in the Grove, but for those of you that know it starts a week in advance. The tents were up and the food has been cooked, now it was time for the best tailgaiting in the world. Everyone gets there "toddy" and prepares for what is to be an exciting and memorable day. One that grandkids will know and grow up to understand. It is now time for the team to walk through the grove on what is known as the Walk of Champions. Thousands of people line this walk that goes straight through the heart of the Grove. Chants of ELI, ELI and Go To Hell LSU fill the air and everyone knows it's gametime. Then minutes after the team walks through the band sets up in front of the stage in the Grove and prepares their instruments for what is to be a chilling rendention of Ole Miss fight songs as well as "From Dixie With Love." When this is done it is officially time to go to the stadium. Chants from Ole Miss fans and LSU fans pave the way to the stadium. The game starts and people's hearts stop. The moment is finally here. GAMETIME!!! After the game the chants continue and the party does as well. This time it was LSU's turm to brag, but it is also Ole Miss' time to show their hospitality. Thousands stay in the Gove until after midnight or until tired or drunk. The party goes on and the tradition will always live between these two great schools. As they say in Oxford, "We May Not Win Every Game, But We Ain't Ever Lost A Party." HOTTY TODDY... from JP in Ridgeland, Mississippi |
|
|
| I am a huge BILLS fan and attend about half the games each year. I am a season ticket holder. I also have season tickets to the New England Patriots, since my brother lives about 10 minutes from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Several years ago, early 80's, we had a huge group to see the Pats and Raiders play at Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro. When we got to the game and began setting up the tailgate party...we were surprised to find out that my brother had left two coolers of food at his house, all we had was one pack of hot dogs for 15 people. Ever since then we have given an award, out to the new person in the group. It's called "The Silver Burger Award" and it's on my seats in Foxboro. Other tailgaters always amazed when we present the award, which is a burger (uncooked) wrapped in foil. Who knows who will receive the 2003 award?? If you're a Pats fan it could be you!!! GO BILLS!!!! |
|
|
| Northern Illinois University in DeKalb County may be small, but we know how to tailgate. Our 2nd annual pig roast was Oct 18, 2003. We had a disc jockey, the pig and approximately another $1000.00 worth of food. Which we needed since over 250 people turned out to tailgate with us and then watch our 12th ranked boys play. The pig was great, the DJj was great and the atmosphere was even better. A good time for all...Kelly of Sycamore, IL |
| It doesn't get any better than this. My cell phone rings, voice at the other end says "I'm looking for a party", It's the COMMISH (Joe Cahn). After sorting out directions to our tailgate, Joe comes over, shares some tenderloin of Patriot and a few good stories. My favorite most recent tailgating experience....Tom from Buffalo - GO BILLS!!! |
|
|