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The Top Tips for Planning a Memorable Tailgating Party Event

Use these tips to plan a tailgating party that brings like-minded fans together in a spirit of fun to celebrate a team and cheer it on to a successful season.

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More information on Tailgating for Beginners

More fans are becoming interested in tailgating. If you have yet to try it and want to throw a successful sports-themed party that no one will ever forget, this article is for you.

Tailgating is more than drinks at the back of an SUV or a truck. It’s a great way to welcome Fall, football, soccer, and students back to school and is an opportunity to share stories, have fun, laugh, and create a bond that transcends a ballgame. Tailgating also brings fans of a particular ball club in a spirit of excitement and fun to cheer on their team. Use these tips to plan a tailgating party that brings like-minded fans together in a spirit of fun to celebrate a team and cheer it on to a successful season.

Planning a Successful Tailgate Party

Proper planning is the key to a successful tailgating party. Keep in mind that those who arrive early often get the preferred space. Check the assigned space a day before the party to confirm that it is correct and big enough for the party.
Before hosting such an event, ensuring you have packed the necessary items is crucial. Make a list of the supplies you need to set up, cook, serve, and clean up, and check them off as you pack. This emphasis on proper planning will make you feel prepared and confident in your party-hosting skills.

Common Items Needed for Tailgating

Tailgating is usually outdoors, so you must plan for such an environment. Consider a canopy to protect from uncomfortable weather conditions and have the required seats and tables for your expected party size. Buy balloons, flags, or anything that can be used to help your guests find you. Think about bringing a first aid kit, damp towels to clean faces and hands, trash bags, waste receptacles, and other things you might need for cleanup, and pack them into your vehicle. Consider using frozen bottles of water or drinks rather than loose ice to keep cool and devise a plan to keep insects away.

 

 

Tips on Preparing food for your Tailgating Party

No gathering is complete without food and drinks, which are some of the essentials of a great tailgating party. Experienced tailgaters do not encourage taking home leftovers, so plan your menu and prepare the food a day or two before the game, or choose easy-to-tackle products that combine convenience with homemade taste.

Food should be ready at the scheduled start to avoid cooking to order. Properly pack the food and beverages to make the on-site preparation easier; the last item is packed as the first one to use. Allow your guests to eat when ready and give everyone ample time to eat, socialize, and clean up.

A magazine cover of the Ultimate Tailgating Recipe Collection eBook displaying tortillas, dips, and other fixings

Food Safety while Tailgating

When tailgating, it is vital to ensure that the food is delicious and safe. Use the following tips to keep guests healthy and ensure that their food is consistently in the safe zone. This care for their well-being will make your party memorable for all the right reasons.

Keep all food safe by separating raw meat, ready-to-eat foods, and beverages. Use a food thermometer and ice to keep bacteria at bay, which can quickly grow in food at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F. Use them to keep cold and high-protein foods, such as meat, eggs, and milk products under 40°F. Melons should be washed on the outside, cut up at home, and then stored under 40°F. Never let fully cooked meat sit out for longer than two hours. It must be kept at a temperature above 140°F.

Finally, keep plenty of hand sanitizer and extra food tongs nearby for guests and servers.  Remember that after the party is over, you should clean up your mess. Dispose of it in the recycling bags you brought, put everything in its proper place, and leave your space as it was found.

Wrapping up these Top Tips for Memorable Tailgating Event

These are only a few ideas developed over the years by successful tailgaters. If you have identified a game your guests want to attend, start planning early, gather the supplies, develop the menu, and decide on a space for your epic tailgating party. Doing all these things allows your guests and you to celebrate and cheer on your favorite sports team like seasoned tailgaters.

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