Tailgating takes some planning and thought - even if your parking lot party is for just a handful if people.
No matter how big your tailgate party is, there are some basic set-up tips that will make your life easier, and make sure your guests have fun. The first one is the flow triangle.
This starts with the grill. Make sure it's set-up outside the main tailgating area and away from your tent, if you have one. This will keep your guests out of the smoke and prevent them from crowding the cook.
Make sure the cook has his own prep table, cooler for food, and trash can. This is important for food safety and preventing cross contamination, and for making sure the cook has space to do his thing. After all, eating is one of the main features of your tailgate party.
The second point on the flow triangle is the serving table. This should be in the main tailgating area and under a tent if possible. Make sure it's big enough to hold the food and serving utensils, while providing space for guests to put their drinks and such while serving themselves. Be sure to have a trash can nearby, too.
The last point on the flow triangle is the bar. It should have its own table, cooler, and trash can. To learn more about this part of your tailgate party, read my column on setting-up your tailgate bar.
Now that you have the basic layout in place, it's time to decide what you need to have for your guests.
I already talked about tables, but make sure the ones you bring have locking mechanisms on the legs. The potato salad just isn't as good after it's been scraped up off the ground.
You'll need chairs, too. Now, you don't need one for each guest - after all, tailgate parties are traditionally stand-up affairs - but you do want to have some for conversation areas and for guests who may not be able to stand for long periods of time. You know your crowd. There are scores of portable chairs on the market - many adorned with the logo of your favorite team. One of the most easily transported is the folding chair that fits into a shoulder bag. There are several brands and styles, including ones with drink holders.
Other items on your need-to-have checklist are trash cans, plates/bowls and utensils (plastic is fine), serving utensils, napkins (a paperweight to hold them down is a good idea, too), towels (bring several), coolers, ice (lots of it), and hand wipes. You can download a complete checklist at www.theultimatetailgater.com.
While it's not on the need-to-have checklist, tents are on the great-if-you-can-get-one checklist. There are several brands of easy set-up versions. The most common are 10' x 10'. They are an investment (most start around $250 and bigger ones can run $1,000 or more), but they'll last you for years and will pay for themselves the first time your tailgate party is caught in a thunderstorm. Tents also elevate the status of your tailgate party, and make it easier for people to find you. Plus you can decorate them with flags and lights to liven-up your party.
Last, if you can swing it, don't overlook your own private bathroom. Really. Several ultimate tailgaters are toting their own portable toilets to the game and finding they provide both comfort and new friends. Now, if you do take this step take it seriously; raw sewage can be a really bad thing.
Next: Tailgating Safety
Stephen Linn is the author of The Ultimate Tailgater's Handbook and The Ultimate Tailgater's Travel Guide: More Than 20 Great Road Trips which are the ultimate how-to resources for the tailgater who wants to do it all, have it all, and host the best party in the parking lot. Learn more and watch his how-to tailgating videos at www.theultimatetailgater.com.
