Perfect Tailgating Party in 1-2-3-4
Hosting a tailgating party is a wonderful way to celebrate your love of the game with a pregame and post game party. The trick is to plan well so you can also enjoy the fun! Here are four easy steps to create your perfect tailgate party.
STEP 1: Pick a Good Place
Look for an area that has some grass and perhaps trees for shade for you tailgating party. If you are in a large sporting complex, head for the fringes. On a college campus, there will be a number of lots available for game day, many with grass etc. Do some checking on-line to see if there are designated areas for tailgating and if there are specific tailgating rules, such as no alcohol etc. Better than the alternative of Security asking you to dismantle your site or confiscating your beer. That is a real wet blanket for your game day spirit!
STEP 2: Plan Your Menu
To make your tailgate party less stressful for you, choose foods that can be prepared beforehand and then packed in your cooler in several small containers. Perhaps some cold fried chicken, or a sub sandwich. Of course you can always prepare your side dishes at home and break out the tailgate grill to add the aroma of burgers, brats or dogs to your site. You will find that heavenly aromas coming from your tailgating party site will make you to envy of any passerby. Keep in mind easy prep and clean-up as you plan your menu.
STEP 3: Think of a Fun Activity
As your tailgating party guests are arriving or waiting for the meat to finish grilling, break out the tailgating games! This will help channel all that competitive spirit on game day. Fun competitions include ladder toss games, horse shoes, corn holegames – also known as bean bag toss games, or even a timed, mini obstacle course made with parts from your croquet set. Many of these tailgating games can be home-made or there are some beautiful, colorful tailgating game boards that may be purchased.
STEP 4: Keep Perishables Fresh
When packing your cooler place perishable foods for your tailgating party closest to the ice or gel packs. Store your cooler in a shady area....a shade tree or the shadow of your vehicle. Remove small quantities of food from your cooler at a time and return them to the cooler as quickly as possible. Remember – keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. The danger zone for bacteria growth is 40-140 degrees. Foods within this range will multiply bacteria fast enough to give you food poisoning within two hours! Plan to serve your tailgating party food quickly rather than let it set out for several hours. Place left-overs in the cooler.
Remember, with a little planning, you can have the perfect tailgating party as easy as 1-2-3-4.
STEP 1: Pick a Good Place
Look for an area that has some grass and perhaps trees for shade for you tailgating party. If you are in a large sporting complex, head for the fringes. On a college campus, there will be a number of lots available for game day, many with grass etc. Do some checking on-line to see if there are designated areas for tailgating and if there are specific tailgating rules, such as no alcohol etc. Better than the alternative of Security asking you to dismantle your site or confiscating your beer. That is a real wet blanket for your game day spirit!
STEP 2: Plan Your Menu
To make your tailgate party less stressful for you, choose foods that can be prepared beforehand and then packed in your cooler in several small containers. Perhaps some cold fried chicken, or a sub sandwich. Of course you can always prepare your side dishes at home and break out the tailgate grill to add the aroma of burgers, brats or dogs to your site. You will find that heavenly aromas coming from your tailgating party site will make you to envy of any passerby. Keep in mind easy prep and clean-up as you plan your menu.
STEP 3: Think of a Fun Activity
As your tailgating party guests are arriving or waiting for the meat to finish grilling, break out the tailgating games! This will help channel all that competitive spirit on game day. Fun competitions include ladder toss games, horse shoes, corn holegames – also known as bean bag toss games, or even a timed, mini obstacle course made with parts from your croquet set. Many of these tailgating games can be home-made or there are some beautiful, colorful tailgating game boards that may be purchased.
STEP 4: Keep Perishables Fresh
When packing your cooler place perishable foods for your tailgating party closest to the ice or gel packs. Store your cooler in a shady area....a shade tree or the shadow of your vehicle. Remove small quantities of food from your cooler at a time and return them to the cooler as quickly as possible. Remember – keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. The danger zone for bacteria growth is 40-140 degrees. Foods within this range will multiply bacteria fast enough to give you food poisoning within two hours! Plan to serve your tailgating party food quickly rather than let it set out for several hours. Place left-overs in the cooler.
Remember, with a little planning, you can have the perfect tailgating party as easy as 1-2-3-4.
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