Here’s why you should plan on tailgating: you can spend time with your friends, cook up some excellent food, and enjoy your favorite game all at once! Why sit around waiting for the game to begin when you could be having a party?

The first and most obvious thing that you will need to do is find a place for the cookout. A lot of arenas have a restricted number of spots for cookouts, while others charge a fee for them. Find out what the regulations are beforehand so that you are not disappointed later. Also, take care that you have a largish spot for all that equipment. Being close to the stadium or playing area is helpful as well. For major games, you will need to reach early, even several hours early, to get a good spot.

Take the weather into account. If it’s warm get a tailgate tent or canopy for everyone to stay cool and comfortable. If it’s cold, keep plenty of weather resistant outerwear at hand. Supplies are important, so have plenty of disposable table ware, ice and beverages, lawn chairs or throw rugs, and an emergency first aid kit at hand.

Your tailgate menu will depend on how elaborate or simple you want to keep it. If you are just planning to throw out a rug or perch on the tailgate of your truck, keep it simple. Bring sandwiches, drinks, chips, and other food ready from home. Don’t forget though, that the barbecue is the soul of the tailgate. You can have a potluck, or you can pre-cook the food and just re-heat at the tailgate. The all time tailgate accompaniments are potato salad, coleslaw, macaroni, and deviled eggs. Some foods spoil easily, so keep in the cooler till serving time.

In warm weather, have plenty of cold drinks available. Keep coolers full of ice and cool drinks. Make sure the drinks are already cool before you put them into the cooler. You could even freeze them the night before to keep them chilled for the game. In cold weather, stock up thermoses of hot cocoa and cider.

When you are winding up, though, make sure you clear out the spot before you leave. Take your trash bags with you and leave the parking lot the way you found it.

For main courses, try the hamburgers and rolls routine. You could vary it the hot dogs and rolls, if you like. Call them “Hip Hip Hooray Hot Dogs” in keeping with the game theme. Remember the tailgate is at a location far from your backyard and it’s about the game as well, so keep it simple. Alternatively, you could use the spicy hot chilli or the grilled sausage for the main dish. The condiments you will need to pack with any of these are mustard, ketchup, mayo, pickles, relish, barbecue sauce, and olives.

The tailgate cookout is a great way to watch a game, have fun with friends, and enjoy a meal, all together. So next time your favorite team is playing, plan the tailgate party: savor this American tradition with your buddies!

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