Are you ready for some football? If you’re like most Americans, chances are good you are probably marking off the days on your calendar until the season starts. And, we’re not just talking about partying with the big boys in the NFL; for the first time in history, attendance at NCAA college football games broke the 50 million mark in 2013.
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Whether you’re up North with the Big 10 or down South cheering on the SEC, that represents an awful lot of people gathered at stadiums looking to relax and have some fun. This leads to that other great national pastime: tailgating!
Let’s Get This Party Started
Tailgate parties are a true American sport in and of themselves, with origins believed to go back all the way to the Civil War (with the party designed to cheer on the soldiers out in the fields). Since then, the practice of parking your wagon, opening up the trunk, mixing up some drinks, and grilling some tasty grub with a bunch of fellow sports fans has firmly rooted itself in national culture.
If you’re thinking about hosting a tailgate party, either at the big game or at home watching, ForRent.com is happy to give you some basic ideas to make sure the event goes off without a hitch.
Countdown to Kickoff
First, stake your ground with an awning on which you can post a personalized sign. This way, your friends will be able to find you easily in a parking lot filled with similar setups! If throwing a party inside your apartment, be sure to have the sign visible for people to pull up & know where the party is at. Have fun and be creative.
Second, get the hardware going. You’ll need a portable grill for the grub, a cooler for the drinks, a sound system for tunes (or broadcasts of other games, for the multitasking football fanatics in your crowd), a TV so you don’t miss any pre-game action…oh, and a few foldable chairs to plop down in! If this celebration is inside, be respectful of your neighbors (or invite them to the action)!
Now, on to the best part: beverages! You’ll need lots of cups, of course—with both kid- and adult-friendly beverages (as tailgating is generally a family affair for many). A good rule of thumb to note is a typical-sized “red party cup” holds about 16 ounces. Go ahead and pour an entire can of beer or soda in, fill a bit over a quarter full for a typical 5 oz. serving of wine, and just up to the bottom “indent” for a shot of liquor.
It’s always a good idea to bring a few permanent markers so everyone can write their names on the cups. That way Junior won’t accidentally take a swig of Uncle Butch’s brewski, and you won’t mistakenly pour Merlot into Aunt Nancy’s Shiraz.
Drinks are a time-honored way of getting the party started, but don’t forget the food. A few tips to make things smooth while keeping everyone satiated:
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Load your cooler with frozen water bottles to keep everything nice and chilled, even in hot late August weather. (You can drink them, too, when they thaw.)
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Pre-make burger patties ahead of the game and freeze them between sheets of wax paper.
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Line your grill with aluminum foil for simple cleanup.
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Cook chopped veggies in a grill pan, and add sauce after cooking so they won’t stick or burn.
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Bring plenty of trash bags—this is something you won’t want to forget!
Finally, be prepared like a Scout and have some just-in-case items ready nearby. These can include a first aid kit, toilet paper, and rain gear for the crowd (so the party can keep going, even if Mother Nature has other ideas).
It’s never too late to get yourself ready for football, especially this year. The 2014 NCAA season will be here before you know it: August 23. This marks its earliest starting point in 11 years! Enjoy the games!
How do you celebrate tailgate season? Let ForRent.com know in the comments section!
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