It sometimes seems as though the actual football game isn’t really all that important, serving just as an excuse to park outside the stadium, setup a BBQ and get the alcohol flowing. This was my first time to experience tailgate parties, being my first football game (FSU Seminoles versus UOF Gators) and it’s one odd and funky cultural event. People start coming in with cars and caravans the day before the game, and beginning from early morning people are already BBQ-ing and boozing up.
(you can see the love FSU has for the visiting Gators)
I wasn’t even sure what tailgate meant when they said I’m invited, so I actually had to look it up to make sure I understand what’s ahead. Wikipedia helped a bit :
In the United States, a tailgate party is a social event held on and around the open tailgate of a vehicle. Tailgating often involves consuming alcoholic beverages and grilling food. Tailgate parties usually occur in the parking lots at stadiums and arenas, before and occasionally after games and concerts. People attending such a party are said to be tailgating. Many people participate even if their vehicles do not have tailgates.
Tailgate parties have spread to the pre-game festivities at sporting events besides football, such as basketball, hockey, soccer, and baseball, and also occur at non-sporting events such as weddings and barbecues.
What does it look like? For the most part… a car park with BBQs….
But, it does get more interesting at times with the occasional live music and more exclusive badge only entrance parties that have huge screens showing other games taking place or some brand sponsored events.
I had the good fortune to tag along and visit a number of those tailgate parties.
I’ve always wondered what some of those caravans look like inside, and was surprised just how spacy and neat it all gets, considering that this thing is a car that drives on a regular highway…
Sports Illustrated was among the many commercial products hosting a local event and offering competitions and prizes…
Overall, a very pleasant tailgating day in the lovely FSU campus…
If you’re going to a game, tailgating is a must part of that experience…