| Tailgating is an American tradition that can be dated | | | | Whatever the drink of choice for the party is, be sure |
| back to the Civil War in the mid 1800's. People showed | | | | to have plenty on hand. |
| up with baskets of food to cheer on the Union soldiers | | | | With all the food being cooked, having eating utensils is |
| by yelling "Go Big Blue!" Nowadays tailgating is saved | | | | a no-brainer. Plates, plastic ware, knives, napkins, and |
| for less extreme matchups with, some would say, | | | | serving spoons and forks should definitely be on the list |
| equally dedicated fans. Football is normally the first | | | | of any tailgater. Don't forget the condiments (salt, |
| event to come to mind when thinking of tailgating, but | | | | pepper, ketchup, mustard, ect.). Although a slaw dog is |
| there are tailgate parties for concerts and other | | | | appetizing, and a plain cheese burger is good, not |
| sporting events as well. The most common location for | | | | everyone will prefer to eat there meat without the |
| a tailgate party is in a parking lot. With modern | | | | basic toppings. Mix beer, rowdy fans, and open drinks |
| technology, setting up a mobile kitchen is becoming | | | | all around, and you are very likely to have a spill on |
| easier and easier. Although tailgating is named from the | | | | your hands, so having towels on hand is also a great |
| use of a truck tailgate, having a truck is not a | | | | idea. If you want to cook the food you are going to |
| requirement for a great tailgate party. Buses, cars, | | | | need a way to light the grill, therefore, bring matches or |
| vans, and even the occasional 18 wheeler can be used | | | | a lighter. Watching the pre-game show is a great way |
| as a great tailgating vehicle. As long as the vehicle can | | | | to amp up any tailgate party. Some tailgaters never |
| be loaded down with various items for the party, it's | | | | actually enter the stadium, but instead enjoy the entire |
| good to go. No matter what the cause or location for | | | | game from the parking lot. 12 Volt televisions are a |
| the party, there are some definite tailgate necessities | | | | great way to enjoy the game, whether you just want |
| to make the party work. | | | | to watch the pre-game show or the entire game. With |
| A party is not a party without food. Tailgaters usually | | | | all of the different sizes available for these TVs, |
| chow down on picnic foods such as burgers, hot dogs, | | | | everyone is sure to find one that fits their preferences. |
| sausage and ribs. There are some who go to | | | | Now, for the people who tailgate no matter when the |
| extremes, having their parties catered or serving | | | | game is, a 12 Volt spotlight might not be such a bad |
| dishes such as lobster, but picnic food is typically | | | | idea. Night games may start when the sun is still up, but |
| enough for the common tailgater. So it goes without | | | | they don't end until long after the final rays have faded |
| saying that a grill is a necessity. The type and size of | | | | from the sky. You can party long into the night with the |
| the grill is more of a personal choice. For the casual | | | | light from a spotlight, the glow of the TV, and the |
| tailgater who may only tailgate a few times per | | | | cheers from the stadium in the background. |
| season, a small charcoal or propane grill should be just | | | | Although not everything for tailgating parties is 12 Volt, |
| enough. It's compact and portable, but it can also be | | | | there are a lot of items available to make tailgating |
| used at home as well as at the party, which is going to | | | | easier. Running all of these things off of a single car |
| be a bonus. For the die hard tailgater there are grills | | | | battery can lead to big problems, especially if you plan |
| designed to attach to the back of the vehicle, this way | | | | to drive the vehicle home after the tailgate party is |
| you can just pull in, park, and fire up the grill. Some | | | | over. For this reason, you may want to consider other |
| people even take grills big enough to feed a small | | | | items for your tailgating checklist. There are 12 Volt |
| army. Any grill that can be safely transported to the | | | | battery guards available. These work by suspending |
| event will work. Although the most common form of | | | | power to the 12 Volt accessories being used when |
| cooking for these parties is grilling, some people have | | | | the battery voltage drops. This saves the battery from |
| been known to bring smokers and deep fryers as well. | | | | being drained, allowing you to be able to start your |
| With the main goal being cooked food, any means will | | | | vehicle and go home. Another item to consider is a 12 |
| work. Just plan to have the food cooked at least an | | | | Volt rechargeable emergency jumpstart system with |
| hour and a half before the game starts. | | | | an air compressor and power inverter. This handy little |
| Other common tailgating foods are salads, sandwiches, | | | | device can be used for so many different things at a |
| soups. Many of these are made in advance and | | | | tailgating party. First and foremost, the jumpstart |
| transported to the party. It's common to see salads | | | | system will allow you to start your low or dead |
| such as coleslaw, potato, pasta, and even regular | | | | battery. The built in power inverter allows you to also |
| veggie at tailgating parties. Sandwiches are a big hit | | | | run 110Volt appliances as well as 12Volt, allowing you to |
| also. They are cheap to prepare, easy to take a long, | | | | plug in items from home. The air compressor, not |
| and everyone can choose their own toppings. Mac | | | | counting on your tire going flat since tailgating involves |
| and cheese, baked beans, and soups are typical hot | | | | parked vehicles, can be used for inflatable furniture and |
| side dishes that can be prepared the day before. | | | | team gear. If these don't seem to fit the bill, purchasing |
| Some party goers will prepare chicken wings, pizza, | | | | a voltage meter would also work. Just be sure to |
| and nachos as well. You could probably find just about | | | | keep an eye on the battery as you enjoy the party. |
| every type of food at tailgate parties. Since the | | | | While most tailgaters party at their hometown stadium, |
| football season can be rather cold at certain stadiums, | | | | some travel to any game their team plays. Plus, just |
| a lot of tailgaters prepare warm foods to ward of the | | | | because you live in Green Bay doesn't mean you |
| cold. Hot subs such as meatball, pulled pork and Philly | | | | have to be a Cheese Head. With this in mind, preparing |
| cheese steak are hot on the menu of many tailgaters. | | | | for tailgating parties in different weather conditions is |
| Some also provide casseroles and stews. Desserts | | | | pretty important. Warm weather doesn't call for much |
| are normally simple to eat foods such as cookies and | | | | preparation; maybe an umbrella or canopy to block out |
| pies that are made ahead of time. Transporting all of | | | | the sun. Warm weather is basically ideal tailgating |
| this food safely is the main objective after preparing it. | | | | weather. Rainy weather would also call for some type |
| Engel brand cooler/warmers may be just the answer. | | | | of umbrella and rain coat. Even if the weather doesn't |
| They can be used with 12 Volt or 110 Volt power | | | | call for rain, having a rain coat on hand is smart. They |
| supply. This means you can plug it in at home, get it to | | | | are small and easy to pack, so why not? For |
| the temperature you need (either cold or warm), then | | | | conditions that are cold, obviously you want to be |
| take it with you for use in your vehicle. The Engel | | | | warm. Although some diehard fans run around with |
| fridge will keep the food at the right temperature so | | | | painted chest in the dead of winter, not every tailgater |
| you will have more time to party, and spend less time | | | | is going to be so brave. If you plan to go into the |
| reheating food. | | | | vehicle to warm up ever so often, a 12 Volt heater or |
| If there is food, there is drink, making this another | | | | electric blanket would do well. This way you don't have |
| necessity. Most tailgaters will tell you that beer is the | | | | to turn on the vehicle to get warm. For those tailgaters |
| drink to be had at a tailgating party. While most people | | | | who don't want to miss any part of the action, maybe |
| may prefer this, it is a matter of choice. Pop/soda, | | | | have a few travel blankets to wrap up in while outside |
| juice, and bottled water are also a good idea to have | | | | in the cold. When packing for the weather it's more of |
| on hand for people who don't care for beer. Plastic | | | | a "just in case" packing. One other "just in case" item |
| cups with peoples name or initials written on the can | | | | to pack for tailgating is a first aid kit, because you |
| help with the confusion of whose drink is whose. Just | | | | never know what could happen. So, just in case, you |
| be sure to take along ice for people to use in their | | | | will be prepared. |
| cups. Mixed drinks are also common drinks for | | | | Tailgating can be very enjoyable. While most people |
| tailgating parties. Having a 12 Volt blender along for the | | | | tailgate majority of the season, even going once or |
| ride can help when whipping up margaritas. Since it is | | | | twice is fun. Tailgating is about friends, food, and the |
| cold in some places, hot drinks may be another item | | | | game. It's a way for people from all different parts to |
| on the menu. Coffee is a great way to keep warm | | | | come together and enjoy a common theme, no matter |
| and keep energy during the colder tailgating parties. | | | | the party is for. Being prepared with all the necessities |
| Some people may just enjoy having a nice cup of | | | | for a great party only adds to the atmosphere. Using a |
| coffee with their meal. A portable coffee maker is an | | | | checklist is a great way to make sure you have |
| easy way to prepare coffee while tailgating. Just plug | | | | everything you are going to need. Dress to support |
| it into the cigarette lighter socket of your vehicle and | | | | your team and decorate your vehicle as well. Get all |
| brew fresh coffee. Bubba Kegs® are also great to | | | | the items together the day before if possible. But |
| have on hand. They can keep drinks warm or cold | | | | mainly, enjoy the time spent outside in a parking lot in |
| using the Bubba FAT(TM) dual wall insulation. They | | | | the shadow of a stadium, cheering for the team you |
| come in all different sizes, going as large as 128oz, and | | | | love. Now that you know what you need for the best |
| some have bottle openers built into the handle. | | | | tailgate party, get out there and party. |