The First Tailgates
You might be surprised to learn that the first tailgate had nothing to do with football. Many consider the Battle of Bull Run in 1861 to be the very first tailgate—Union supporters showed up with baskets of food and chanted “Go Big Blue!” Though not exactly a spectator sport, the event had all the makings of a tailgate, with socializing, food, and intense competition.
Just eight years later, the tailgate made its way into the sports world at the first-ever college football game between Rutgers and Princeton in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Fans traveled to the game by carriage, grilling sausages and burgers at the "tail end" of their horses, which is how the back-end of a truck or vehicle later become known as the “tailgate.” Those in attendance say it was both a fine game, and more importantly, a fine party. Today, tailgating is a common pre-game tradition for sporting events, especially college football.
Make Your Own Tailgate Traditions
Use a theme to add flair to your tailgate. The most popular theme, of course, is your home team. Cover your tent and tailgate area with the team colors and use pennants, jerseys, and other team memorabilia to decorate. And don’t forget a big flagpole to help people find your area and go along with your team theme.
Make theme-related food and drinks. Redskins Potatoes or Miami Hurricanes, anyone? You can also use the sport itself as your theme. Think football-shaped pies or hotdogs served with a side of peanuts and Cracker Jacks.
Nothing gets a tailgate going like good music. While the type of music you play depends on your crowd, this sport-themed play list is sure to pump up your gang’s team spirit and energy!
1. Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen
2. We Are the Champions by Queen
3. You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet by Bachman-Turner Overdrive
4. Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas
5. Take Me Out to the Ballgame by Jack Norworth
6. Hey, Hey, Hey, Goodbye by Steam
7. The Final Countdown by Europe
8. Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
9. We Will Rock You by Queen
10. Centerfield by John Fogerty
Don’t let your tailgaters get bored! Keep ’em having a good time until the game starts. Play a trivia game—have two groups compete to see who knows the most about the home team! Or how about a hotdog or pie eating contest? To avoid party-ending stomachaches, set a limit on the number of dogs and pies and just see who eats a few of them the fastest! If you have enough space, keep everyone entertained by playing a game of touch football or toss around a Frisbee.
Source:
American Heritage
