Tailgate party
A tailgate party is a social event held on and around the open tailgate of a vehicle. Tailgating, which primarily takes place in the United States and Canada, often involves consuming alcoholic beverages while barbecuing and grilling food. Tailgate parties occur in the parking lots at stadiums and arenas, before and occasionally after games, festivals, and concerts. People attending such a party are said to be 'tailgating'. Many people participate even if their vehicles do not have tailgates. Tailgate parties also involve people bringing their own alcoholic beverages, barbecues, and food, which are sampled and shared among fans attending the tailgate. Tailgates are intended to be non-commercial events, so selling items to the fans is frowned upon and can even be considered illegal soliciting. Tailgating is often seen as a critical part of the sports experience in the United States. Because many American sports venues are surrounded by large parking lots, tailgating often takes place right outside stadium and arena entrances.
For the album by Larry the Cable Guy, see Tailgate Party (album). For the episode of Succession, see Tailgate Party (Succession).Tailgate parties have spread to the pre-game festivities at sporting events besides American and Canadian football, such as basketball, hockey, baseball and soccer. They also occur at non-sporting events such as weddings, cultural festivals and concerts.[1][2] As American and Canadian football outside North America has copied many of its associated traditions from the National Football League (NFL), the Canadian Football League (CFL), and college football, tailgating parties are also held at some American football games in Europe.
Food and drink[edit]
Tailgating typically involves the consumption of alcoholic beverages or soft drinks and the grilling of various meat products. Popular tailgate party foods include picnic and grilling staples such as bratwurst, hamburgers, hot dogs, buffalo wings, baked beans, steak, to-go pizza, and cold salads like coleslaw or potato salad. Snacks include potato and tortilla chips with guacamole among others which are fairly common. Some food products were created because of tailgate parties. A brand of pimento cheese, called Palmetto Cheese, got its start at Atlanta Braves tailgate parties.[3] In some Southern U.S. states and subtropical areas, fried seafood is made and shared at certain tailgate parties.
In popular culture[edit]
In the Simpsons episode "Any Given Sundance", Homer takes his family to a tailgate party. He makes them get up early in order to be at the stadium hours before the football game, and states that "the game is nothing", the tailgate party being the only reason for them being there.
Season 3 of the Travel Channel original series Man v. Food had a tailgating special consisting of various segments from previous episodes that featured food that would make an ultimate tailgate party.
A number of television commercials, especially those aired during football games, feature tailgating culture, including those for Bud Light beer and cellphones.
In season 3 of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Frank convinces Charlie to join him and tailgate while the rest of the gang try out for the Philadelphia Eagles.[15]
Season 1 of Chicago Party Aunt had an entire episode, titled "Tailgate Jailgate", set at, and centered around, a tailgate party.
Season 4 Episode 7 of Succession is called 'Tailgate Party' and refers to a Presidential Election party held in Shiv and Tom's apartment.