Gameday tailgating, let's have some fun

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By Morgan Mitchener

Having fun at a tailgate isn't hard to do, but when you are the host, it is crucial to have some basic elements to ensure that your setup beats the rest.

With the gamed-day noises blaring in the background, competition is in the air. Football season should ensue with great tailgating and here are some guidelines to do it big.

A great location:
This may be difficult because you just might have to end up being "that guy" who is the psycho sleeping on his /her "territory" in effort to get the best spot-; but take one for the team.

Attendees:
The number of people that attends your tailgate is basically equivalent to your popularity or coolness, the more people the more fun and the cooler you look.

With that said, you shouldn't go overboard with the invites because too many or too few is obnoxious and pathetic, in that order.

Roughly 23 people should provide a good image- not trying too hard nor looking desperate.

Stocked amenities:
Food and beverages should be abundant. No one likes to get to a tailgate where they, dare I say it- run out of food or drinks.

Keep a stocked cooler with drinks and seating nearby.

Music is a must but without a premeditated or quality playlist it's ineffective.

Be weather prepared; i.e. blankets, fans, and/or tents. It may be a bother to set up all this, but people will appreciate it and think you "do it right."

Ongoing activities:
One suggestion I have is to make everything tournament-style. Make all games have high stakes, with the losing team doing something demoralizing at the end.

Remember to enforce the rules though, being competitive, the rules may seem ridiculous and petty when you're the loser but when you're the winner it's nothing more than satisfying.

Being the winner of a silly pregame is a great ego boost and gives you great bragging rights.

Trash-talking the loser's is acceptable, until the next tailgate, where is should end, unless they redeem themselves (don't push it if there's an off weekend- that's when people get bitter).

Now go out there and deliver the best tailgate that you have thrown all year. If you have all of these elements, you're on your way to success and are sure to have a great time.

Originally Published: Issue 822 - November 4, 2009

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