Tailgating – Not Just For Football Anymore

Even though serious football fans know that tailgating is an essential part of the game, fans of other sports such as NASCAR and baseball are just as big into the tailgating scene as any football fan ever could be. Regardless of whether you are at the track or the stadium or having a tailgate party at your house, there are some key things you will want to employ to make sure your party is as great as the event you are celebrating. So fire up the TV and flip over to ESPN, FOX, Speed or NFL Redzone for sport du jour and check out these suggestions to make your tailgate party the coolest in the parking lot.

Aside from the game or race itself, food and beverages are by far the main ingredients to a great tailgating party. What kinds of food you are serving has a lot to do with pumping up the excitement so having some great food choices planned out will ensure you will have a fantastic time and a good crowd. You will definitely want food that’s easy to eat without being too messy and you want to make sure clean-up is a breeze so you don’t miss any action.

Check out these great food ideas that are perfect for tailgating.

• Chili cheese dip is really easy to make and goes great with corn chips
• 7 layer dip is another great appetizer idea for tortilla chips.
• Veggie dips for those who love veggie plates with carrots, celery, broccoli and cauliflower. This is a truly delicious and healthy alternative.
• Homemade barbeque sauce is delicious for chicken or ribs for those who love grilling out and tailgating is a great time to grill.
• Kabobs are also easy to grill and kabob marinades are perfect for all kinds of meat.
• Instead of cake, serving cupcakes is a great dessert idea. It’s easy to eat, the icing can match your event, and the clean-up is a snap.

When transporting food, ensure you have all the right supplies you need to cook with, to present your food and to store it. Having plenty of ice to keep meats and other items cold and warmers to keep food hot are essential as well.

Regardless of where you are tailgating, having a TV with the pre-race or pre-game shows on during the festivities is essential to building excitement. By setting up early you don’t have to worry about finding the ESPN, Speed, NFL Redzone or setting up the system to ensure everything is ready to go. If you are in the parking lot or the infield at the race, having a portable satellite TV system makes sure you see all the action and everyone has an awesome time at your tailgate party.