Playoff Tailgating At A Glance
Tips for playoff tailgating may lead you to many different destinations, but the best playoff tailgating tips come from the stadiums. Having the best tips for tailgating is great, especially during the playoffs.
The playoffs are upon us, we want to have a great time tailgating. We want to cheer for our favorite team. The smell of food cooking on the grill. The smell of brats, hamburgers, hot dogs, peppers, onions, and other foods all blend to make us salivate, and imagine the taste of each food is often overpowering. Today we will visit some of the art involved that is necessary to have a good tailgating experience.
Tailgating during the playoffs hits the next level just as the teams on the field achieve the next level to be in the playoffs. You have made great progress with your tailgating since the beginning of the season. Now you are trying new recipes, getting advice from other tailgaters(some that are pros), and finding the groove that fits your experience, taste buds, and satisfaction levels.
You have become a legend to some, and want to continue learning and building upon what you have learned. You now have that opportunity to improve your skills, while starting to shine among your competitors.
Tailgating is mostly for a select few but, some go in search of the best food grilled at the stadium. Other tailgaters may have been tailgating for years, some consider them legendary but don’t be fooled. They are masters at their craft, they dominate the field, however, you want to be in that same class. Now, it is up to you to prove your skills are at the same level.
Know The Rules Of The Stadium For Tailgating
Each stadium has its own set of tailgating rules. You can go to the stadium website to view or download the rules for the stadium. I would download them weeks ahead of time and study them. Some say to tailgate in the grassy areas, while others say that you must stay within certain parking areas with clearly defined areas for tailgating.
There are rules on what type of beverages are allowed. There are rules on the number of people that can be at your tailgating event, even if they came in a different vehicle. The size of the vehicle is regulated at some stadiums and the length is also regulated.
At some stadiums, commercial grills are forbidden. You will also need to know whether a charcoal grill is allowed since some stadiums do not allow them. This is for safety. Some people do not know how to properly dispose of hot coals thus creating a fire hazard.
Check The Website To Show Tips For Playoff Tailgating
When you go to the website to review the rules, also look for tailgating packages. This can help with what you need to bring to the stadium and may enhance your tailgating experience at that stadium. Tailgating packages often have the canopy(tent), tables, chairs, and ice chests for rent. The canopy would already be set up, using your parking pass would allow you to locate your canopy easily. If you cannot locate it, then you could ask security where that particular area is located at.
When you are at the stadium website, download the directions to your reserved area. Some of the road signs may be confusing if you are not familiar with the area. As you follow the road signs be sure to watch for pedestrians.
What Is Best Time To Start Tailgating
The best time to begin the tailgate will be determined by the stadium you are located at. Some stadiums do not let you in and start tailgating until about three hours ahead of time, others will allow parking to start five hours ahead of time. You will want to get there as early as possible to get set up and ready to grill. Oftentimes, there will be something that does not go as scheduled and you will need that extra time.
Always allow extra time when using charcoal. This is necessary for the charcoal to reach the desired temperature for grilling. There is nothing more frustrating than having to wait for the right temperature on the grill. You want to spend as much time as possible with family and friends when tailgating. There may be other people who come by to see what you are grilling. They may give you one of their favorite recipes to use at a later date. Now that your setup is complete for tailgating start the grill and enjoy the camaraderie!
What Type Of Food To Grill
Most tailgating events have finger foods. Something that does not take a lot of time to prepare and more can be prepared quickly and easily. Some finger foods include bratwurst, hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled pork, grilled peppers(jalapeno), onions, mushrooms, etc. One of the most popular items to grill is chicken wings. You can do wings or if you were ambitious then you could do your chicken leg quarters that you have already marinated.
You can prepare some ahead of time for tailgating, this allows you more time for unpacking for the game. This will save you time at the stadium and make it easier when you start preparing for the grill.
One tip, have a list of what will be grilled at the stadium, and what will be prepared at home. This is why you will need multiple coolers. Make a list ahead of time of what needs to be packed in the cooler. As you prepare these items, keep in mind, that some items will have to be prepared at the stadium, try to designate one cooler for these items. Designate the other cooler for the side dishes and drinks.
Have Plenty Of Coolers
One advantage of using a cooler is cooler packs keep food at a colder temperature longer than ice without any of the water from ice melting and have a separate container for ice. Some people, place ice in bowls with a sealed lid in place of cooler packs. This allows you to make the best use of the materials at hand and also reduces the number of coolers. Taking advantage of the tailgating package offered, then you only have to worry about your food and do not have to worry about ice.
You will need to have plenty of drinks on hand. You can have a variety of drinks for those who prefer alcohol and for those who do not drink. Have drinks for those who are underage in a variety of flavors, even for young kids. Just remember that the more sugar the young ones have the more active they will be until they have a sugar crash.
Tips For Playoff Tailgating Decorations
Since you are tailgating, you probably have your favorite team that you are following. You will want to decorate your tent and vehicle in team colors. This can be done easily and without a great deal of expense. You can get the face paint you need from a variety of sources without having a huge expense. However, you may find there is a face-painting booth setup where you can have someone else does it for you. You can find your team balloons at a variety of shops either in your hometown or on your way to the stadium.
Decorating your vehicle is not that hard to do. You can use crepe paper or ribbon and attach it to your vehicle with a minimum of painter’s tape to secure it. Get creative and stand out from the crowd. There are sometimes events for the most creative decorations for the home team.
How To Enjoy A Good Tailgating Event
One of the best ways to enjoy your tailgating event is to have everything planned out ahead of time. This eliminates the frustration of having to put off time with family and friends because you are still setting up for the event or having to prep the food that was brought to the event.
Planning ahead of time and executing that plan are keys to having a great time tailgating. Another thing, if there someone is being disruptive ask them to leave or go to another section. This allows everyone to enjoy the tailgating and to enjoy the game once you get inside.
Tips Of Music Permitted For Playoff Tailgating
If you have purchased a satellite system, to use while tailgating events, be sure the game is covered by your device. Until the game time, you can play the pregame analysis, listen to music, or watch some of the anticipated action. Whichever you do, point the device toward your tent, this will help make for a good event for you and your neighbor.
Music that is not vulgar or suggests violence will most likely be allowed. Playing vulgar or violent music can lead to being escorted from the stadium, in some cases. You are there to have a good time and enjoy a carnival atmosphere, the other patrons want to have just as much fun.
Tips For Playoff Tailgating During Traffic
Most stadiums allow a couple of hours, following the game, to get in just a little more tailgating while waiting for traffic to clear. You will have the opportunity to listen to the after-game analysis and interviews. This could give you an advantage for the next tailgating event or the next game, you may receive information that would not be replayed at a later date.
Tips For Playoff Tailgating Cleanup
If you did not clean up after tailgating but before you went into the game, cleanup of your site will be waiting for you. Most stadiums have an index where people were assigned and may contact you later if they find your site was not cleaned. Remember they count on that revenue as well. The more they have to hire companies to come in and clean the less likely they are to continue to allow those who abused the system.
All stadiums have marked containers for the disposal of food, charcoal(if permitted), and recyclable materials. Each bin is marked especially for charcoal. Disposing of your waste is important for you and the other tailgaters. By showing respect and good manners, all can have a tremendous tailgating experience.
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