The act of tailgating refers to the American tradition of hosting large social gatherings before and sometimes after a sports event or concert, usually hosted in the parking lot of an arena or stadium. These events are enjoyed by all who attend and Americans as a whole are known for having very successful tailgate parties. The term tailgating refers to the boot of the car from which these parties are usually hosted, with music and entertainment, grilling food, and of course nice cold beverages. There are some fundamental things to remember that make up every great tailgate party in a traditional American way.
Food and Drink
Tailgate parties allow for celebrations to start early prior to an event, particularly in the summer months, good food and drink will be vital in order to ensure your social gathering is a success. The traditional food that is served at a tailgate party includes grilled meats served with simple sides, it is important to remember you will have limited facilities hosting from your car so choose foods that can be eaten easily and cooked with little effort. Things like burgers and hot dogs served in buns are a tried and tested classic meal for a tailgate party, try not to overthink the food you bring as the last thing you want is to be preoccupied with the food and miss out on all of the fun.
For drinks, alcoholic beverages are a must, for those who aren’t driving and are of legal age. It would be advisable to bring a coolbox packed full of different soft and alcoholic beverages, bring a selection so you are sure to have something for everyone and ice is a must to ensure your drinks are kept cold and refreshing.
Games
Another very traditional aspect of tailgate parties would have to be playing games, the social aspect of these events is what makes them so popular and it really is nice to see so many people from different backgrounds enjoying themselves playing games together. Whether it be a drinking game or something more suitable for the youngsters you can be sure everyone will want to get involved and have some fun. Classic games for an event like this can range from beer pong to lawn games like cornhole, it isn’t uncommon that somebody will have brought a soccer ball so there may also be an opportunity for a kick about.
Entertainment at a tailgate party reverts back to the simple pleasures in life, people play music from their car stereos and there’s always so many different activities going on at a given time, so it is hard to find yourself stuck for something to do. The united spirit and everyone having fun together are what makes a tailgate party so popular, other games you may expect to see would be things like ladder golf, Polish horseshoes, Louisville chugger, and darts, another common occurrence would be a friendly game of cards to keep the adults entertained before the event.
What you need
When planning to attend a tailgate party in true American fashion there are some things you may need to prepare prior to the gathering, below is a list of essential items to ensure you have the best time.
Coolbox – in order to keep your food and drink cool whilst you party a coolbox would be a great investment, if you are wondering which coolbox would be best for a tailgate party then why not look online for the best make and model. Searching online allows you to see features like the dimensions of the cooler box so you choose the right one for you, and the average American likes these cooler reviews on MyOutdoorGearGuide.com which offer detailed comparisons between many models currently on the market.
Food – food is essential at these events, remember to choose easy to cook and eat items to limit the time it takes to prepare your meal, the food is normally quite simple with things like grilled meat served with beans, potatoes or bread being very popular.
Games – any garden-based games are bound to be a hit, try and pack things that can be played by large groups of people to ensure you are able to invite other party goers to join in with you.
