Tailgating Tips
In the South, fall can still feel like summer for quite some time. But the start of football season really helps bring that fall feeling – and with football season comes tailgating. While you can’t control if your favorite team wins or loses, you can always win at tailgating! With these tailgating tips, you can be the host with the most, making gameday celebrations that much easier.
Tips to make the best of tailgating
Tip #1: Show up early and reserve a spot
The earlier you show up, the better spot you will get. Whether you are putting up a tent or tailgating in your RV, consider finding a spot that is close to the facilities.
Tip #2: Make a checklist
It’s a good idea to make a checklist leading up to the day so you don’t forget anything. Consider adding these to your list:
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Canopy tent
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TV
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Generator
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Wireless hotspot
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Foldout tables
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Lawn chairs
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Extension cords
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Blankets (to sit on or wrap up in)
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Fans if the weather is still hot
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Cups, plates, silverware, trash bags
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Corn hole, football, frisbee, etc.
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Decorations
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Food
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Speaker to play a killer playlist
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Clear stadium bags (most places require these so it’s a good idea to have one on hand)
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Trash bags or a pop-up trash can
Tip #3: Game Day food
Let’s be honest, half the reason people go to tailgates is for the food. You can have burgers, hot dogs, or barbecue, or even keep it simple with different dips and chips - don’t forget dessert!
Here are a few recipes for popular tailgate foods:
Tip #4: Clean up and get ready for the game
If you have tickets for the game, it’s a good idea to start cleaning up about an hour before you need to head into the stadium.
Loading up all that stuff can be such a hassle. Some may feel comfortable leaving big items in their place and lowering the tent to keep everything together and protected. If there are people around you that are tailgating but not going into the game, you can ask them to keep an eye on your stuff while you are gone. If you’re not comfortable with that, plan accordingly. Consider designating one person to keep watch over the tailgate until after the game.
If you are tailgating in your RV, we suggest putting all the valuables inside the RV before heading to the stadium. If you brought a grill, now is a good time to let it start cooling off, don’t leave the area until the grill is cooled off to prevent fire risk or injuries. If you don’t have tickets, sit back, relax and enjoy watching or listening to the game from your perfect tailgate set up!
Once the game is over, it’s time to pack up the car. Park as close as you can to the tailgate to make it easier to load up. Once this process is over, check your tailgating spot one more time to make sure you aren’t forgetting something. It can be hard to see after those night games when packing up, so it doesn’t hurt to have a flashlight with you.
Tip #5: Bring a portable battery
If you showed up early (see tip #1), your phone will probably be lacking juice by kick-off. A portable battery is always a smart idea and can be a lifesaver at the end of the day. You don’t want to be caught with a dead phone on gameday, especially if you’re with a big group and need to coordinate meet ups.
Tips for RV tailgating
An RV tailgate sounds like a perfect way to spend your day. With a kitchen, air conditioning, and a bathroom, you have all you need! With all those perks of an RV, you need to make sure you are covered by insurance in the event something happens. When tailgating with an RV, it’s important to be extra cautious especially when you have guests there. You could be found liable if a guest of yours is injured on your RV. Talk to an Alfa® agent about RV insurance to make sure you’re covered.
Planning a tailgate can be stressful but, with the right people, set up and food, it can be so fun! Whether you like football or not, tailgating is a great way to spend time with people you love and eat really good food! Remember these tips when you plan your next tailgate, and don’t forget to cheer for your team!