There is Tailgating, and there is TAILGATING!

I have come to realize that tailgating has become a true art form and possibly......well, an obsession. I am amazed at the lengths people will go to have the ultimate tailgate party.

Merriam Webster defines tailgating as follows: an intransitive verb 1 : to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle2 : to hold a tailgate picnic. So, a tailgate party is a social event held on and around the tailgate of a vehicle.


How did tailgating actually start? It seems that it has its roots from a college football game in 1869 between Rutgers and Princeton. It was reported back then that it was a fine game and a fine party!


The tailgate party has evolved into something big and grand since those early days. As gas grills became more portable and coolers grew wheels, rows of parking spots have transformed themselves into communities, some with their own names, lights, games and flags. The ultimate tailgates in these lots and grassy areas are almost worthy of being judged something akin to floats in a parade. There are websites devoted to tailgate fare, tailgate games and tailgate decorations.

I have witnessed and attended tailgate parties with elaborate tents, party lighting, satellite TV's, chairs set up in theatre-style seating, and a spread of food to match the best Luby's buffet line.I have seen people playing beer-pong, tossing horse-shoes, throwing washers and even making putts on a make-shift putting green at tailgate parties.

There are huge tailgate parties with a multitude of people, some over-flowing from the tailgate next door. These are typically the tailgaters that have arrived at their tailgate location several hours before a game to set-up their home-away-from-home. Some people haul half their homes to these parking lots. This type of tailgater is considered to be part of a Tailgation - the collective term for a community of Tailgaters.




Then there are those tailgate parties that have a smaller group of fans. No less fun than the larger tailgates, but a little more intimate, with a group of close friends. The party fare may consist of chips and dips, grilled sausage and most certainly some Pluckers wings. Of course, there will be beer and/or wine. Indeed, adult beverages are also an important if not crucial factor in successful tailgating.









And then, there is the fan that just embraces the art of Tailgating for the sake of Tailgating. Even if he/she has no friends to tailgate with.........this would be considered a Lone Tailgater.

The draws that pull today’s well-equipped, well-dressed, well-fed fan to the parking lot are the same ones that drew that crowd in 1869: the friends, the party, the game. In fact, two out of three are sufficient for some fans. And probably in that order: One survey found 30 percent of tailgaters never set foot in the stadium.

Personally, I like to actually GO to the football game, sit in the stands, holler for my team and sing the fight song with the crowd. I will attend a tailgate before or after the game, but if I am going to tailgate during the game it will be in my own living room with A/C, comfortable chairs, and remote control for rewind........but, most importantly, I like the bathroom set-up much better.

For the 2009 University of Texas football schedule visit my website at http://www.livelargeaustin.com/