At sporting events across the country, hundreds of people load up their cars, trucks, RVs or motor homes to head to the stadium hours before the event even begins. For die-hard fans, gathering in the parking lot for the pre-game tailgating celebration may be almost as important as the game itself!
Tailgating, a time-honored tradition, is the practice of eating, drinking and socializing before a sporting event starts. While the most popular place for tailgating is college football games, people travel from all over the country and reserve rooms at local hotels and motels days before the game just so they can tailgate with other football fans.
Naturally, the most common items found at tailgates are hot dogs, hamburgers and the brew of choice. Over the years, however, tailgating has grown into extravagant on-the-road buffets full of popular picnic foods. The menu varies depending on the teams playing. Crab cakes, crab dips and Old Bay Spice are often found at Maryland games, while cheese statues have appeared at Wisconsin games.
If you''re planning a tailgating party, some key supplies are:
Everyone in the parking lot gets along before the game; it''s after the game when you''ve got enemies. Before the game, many sports fans socialize, tailgate and have a good time. It''s not uncommon to make new friends and share food with others. With plenty of food and drinks to go around, tailgating often feels like a neighborhood block party.
Tailgates are a place for football fanatics to come together and share opinions of their teams and players over some food and drinks. It''s a time when family and friends enjoy each other''s company. The sense of community in the parking lot brings together fans from all around the country and introduces people to new traditions. Tailgates are the ultimate football fanatic event.
Jacksonville, the venue for the game between University of Florida and University of Georgia, is of the most celebrated locations for tailgating. Fans will tailgate from sunrise on Wednesday until the moon comes out on Saturday night, and sometimes even straight through to day''s end on Sunday. Tailgates show the dedication of football fanatics: They attract fans from everywhere and encourage people to come to the stadium instead of staying inside, thereby taking part in this exciting ritual.
Some die-hard tailgaters go to extreme measures to have the perfect tailgate. For example, when buying a car, hardcore fans may choose the model that will best accommodate tailgate functions, then go to a sport fan shop to buy all the tailgate gadgets and gizmos.
Does this sound like fun to you? Meet Joe Cahn, the self-proclaimed Commissioner of Tailgating. He travels to stadiums all over America to take part in what he calls "the New American Community." Cahn lives every sports fanatic''s dream, encouraging sports fans to have successful tailgates full of good food and company, while prepping for a good football game.
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Delaney, T. (2008). The social aspects of sports tailgating. Retrieved September 25, 2009, from the New York Sociologist Web site: http://newyorksociologist.org/08/Delaney-08.pdf.
Gator Tailgating Staff. (2008). Tailgating in jacksonville for the florida-georgia game. Retrieved September 25, 2009, from the Gator Tailgating Web site: http://www.gatortailgating.com/tailgating/tailgating-jacksonville.
Tailgating America Staff. (n.d.) The commissioner. Retrieved September 25, 2009, from the Tailgating America Web site: #.