Rah Rah Sis Boom Bah!

Fall is just around the corner and you know what that means...TAILGATE SEASON!!!

Team colors, friends, great food, and fans are just a few things that make your tailgate event the best ever. Tailgate parties used to include a few drinks, simple snacks, and a couple sandwiches before a game. Now, tailgating has evolved into America’s most popular sports traditions.


Whether it is baseball playoffs, college or professional football, or even a party to celebrate your fanatic loyalty to your favorite sports team, tailgate themed events are always a crowd pleaser; especially when food and good friends are involved! Food is by far the most important ingredient when planning a fall tailgate event.

It’s very important at your party to make sure that you have appropriate food to match your tailgate party theme. It’s not going to be a hit if you have a salad bar at a sporting party. Guests come to parties expecting certain foods to be at those parties and while you can vary the recipes a bit you should try to stay on track with what guests expect to eat and with the type of guest you expect at your party.

For instance, the guys who show up at that tailgate party are going to be expecting what some may refer to “as man food.” Think chicken wings, corn on the cob, pasta salad, hamburgers and hot dogs, BBQ, baked beans, popcorn, chips, etc. You can have fun with this to make your party planning a little more interesting. Try mixing up some Italian or Mexican seasoned thick potato chips by drizzling them with olive oil, vinegar, and Italian or Mexican seasonings. Set up the food in a buffet format. This way guests can serve themselves at their leisure and there is not a lot of party etiquette rules to have to follow which sets the relaxed tone of the event.

Remember: Don’t forget the condiments! The varied kinds of sauces that everyone likes for dipping such as ketchup, mustard, hot sauce,  sweet and sour sauce, ranch and blue cheese dip is a must so that your guests can customize their plate to their liking.

For dessert, you can bake cookies or individual cupcakes for the guests (or any sweet treat that your guest do not have to cut). You can also vary the baked item according the party guest’s age group. For someone in their teens you might think about cupcakes. For older guests you might want Twinkies and Ding Dongs that are reminiscent of “the good old days.”
You may also want to include some fun interactive games to keep your guests occupied during commercial breaks or time outs.

Some helpful tailgating tips:

• Always keep things simple and fun
• Make a check off list so you don't forget important items like paper plates, napkins, plastic forks, and spoons and of course the paper towels.
• Trash bags will surely be appreciated when it's clean up time and of course remember to bring plenty of water.
• A good tailgater dresses the part so don't be caught without your team colors!
• Serve the main menu item an hour and a half before the game so everyone can relax and enjoy their food.
• Keep in mind that this is a fun social gathering, so keep things easy and entertaining for yourself and your guests and do not get overwhelmed but...

If all of this sounds overwhelming or your number of guests is too large for you to handle on your own, consider working with The WOW! Factor of Atlanta so you can be sure your tailgate party runs smoothly and successfully. We offer a wide range of menu ideas, games, decorations, and more to customize your team celebration the way you like.