I think tail gating may be differe4nt things to different people.....originally it was a picnic set up out of the tailgate of your station wagon.
I believe the original concept came form college football games where many people came together to view one event, often parking wwell before the event so as to get a place to park near the event. Because so many people gather, often fields are offered for parking and people often offer to park cars in their yards for a fee.
Way back when, we used to take a couple of thermoses and sandwiches and brownies and eat before the game....in 20 years that evolved to a small grill, a battery powered blender with margaritas, things like chicken fajitas or burgers, bratwurst, and even grilled tenderloin, with appropriate sides, like perhaps baked beans, potato salad, raw vegetables and dip, beer, coke....you name ti.
Usually it's only for your own "gang" in the case of college where your kids go...your kids and any friends they might invite. Sometimes you meet another family or 2 and find a way to park together, Sometimes people who know you are also going to the event will say "stop by our tail gate".
Some people do a very elaborate tail gate, complete with tent, portable music, banners and signs of all sorts.
Years ago we went to the Santa Fe Opera.....which is a mostly open air venue.....and people were tail gating there.
As to how would you ever make enough....I just say make lots of food!...You don't feed strangers, but only people you know....and sometimes friends of people you know.
Tail gates are a lot of work.....and a lot of fun!
Linda C

Here, in this part of Texas,
It's a 'party' on the parking lot
(Or some stadiums dedicate a specific area)
Of whatever sports arena is being used.
Usually football games

Usually served off the lowered tailgate,
of someone's pickup.
The food and service is as plain or fancy
As they want it to be.
Everyone stands around and eats finger food,
Or they bring folding chairs and balance plates on knees.
I've seen some groups bring card tables to sit around.

Whether it's a group of friends, family,
Organization, whatever,
The basic menu is planned ahead,
But it's pretty much whatever anyone wants to bring.
Sort of a pot-luck,
I guess you could say.

Some type of grilled meat has been the star attraction.
Of those I've gone to.
(This is Texas, after all)
Someone (or several some ones in large groups)
Will bring their portable grill, or grills.

The local Lion's Club had tailgate parties
before every home football game
Of our University.
The Sororities and Fraternities also
have their own tailgate parties.
One of our Grandsons belonged to a "Tailgate Club"
While he was a student there.

I guess the amount of food is planned mainly
For however many people are expected.
But I'm sure there is always enough to offer
If other friends happen to wander along.

That's the South Texas version,
I'll be interested to read about other areas' versions.

Rusty

The only tailgating I know is when someone is driving too close behind the car in front. When I was at University for my first degree, I only went to about two or three football games. Rice had a huge stadium that would hold about 72,000 spectators, but had only 3,000 students when I was there. A huge section at the 50 yard line was reserved for students only (and tickets were free for students), and this section was pretty much empty both times I went. I could see the cheerleaders yelling on the field but could not hear what they were saying. None of the students cared about football, and there was absolutely no reason to tailgate since there were plenty of empty seats available. Opposing teams such as LSU and UT could fill up our stadium, however, bringing revenue to the university.

To me, tailgating parties are for rowdy people who drink and become loud and obnoxious. You are lucky that you do not have it in Canada - it is not very civilized IMO. I got my second degree at UT Austin where football is king, but I still did not go to any of the games or care in any way which team won. Like Gina, I do not like being in large noisy crowds (especially at a sporting event where they can become violent), but I guess a lot of people do. Rice had another advantage over UT in that it has residential colleges (similar to Oxford and Cambridge) instead of dormitories and fraternities/sororities.

I guess you could have a tailgating party at the beach, and that would be acceptable to me. I used to belong to a camping group that would have potluck dinners one night during each camping expedition. One person brought crawfish etouffe, which I really liked, and another group set up a gazebo and had afternoon high tea.

Where were you thinking of having a tailgating party?

Lars

Lars, obviously you have not tail gated at the opera.
http://thedailybasics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/10-07-02-055-santa_fe-madame_butterfly_opera_tailgate-300x300.jpg

For me it's hanging out in a parking lot, generally before a game or other event (so-as not to be confused with loitering.) The only given is plenty of beer. Beyond that, food and beverages can be as elaborate as you wish. Or not.

DH's family tailgated when he played football at UT. Then we tailgated for years at Bucs games in Tampa. We tailgated with a grill and a cooler; friends and family would bring picnic food. We did this to get good parking.

In later years we were fortunate to get reserved parking on the first row nearest the stadium so we started arriving right at kickoff so no need to tailgate.

Tailgating behavior has gotten too rowdy of late so I'm glad we don't participate any longer.

Tailgating at Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots call home, can get quite elaborate. What's to eat varies with the area of the country. Here, lots of fresh seafood...lobster, scallops, clams, seem to be perennial favorites. Always chowders. Also ribs galore in various incarnations, smoked pork shoulder for pulled pork sandwiches, grilled chicken & chops. There's always Portuguese specialities also that we love as well as Italian reflecting our population. But, you'll also find simple burgers/dogs, New England baked beans, & brownies.

Because of the way attendants handle parking at different stadiums how you plan your tailgating varies from stadium to stadium. At some stadiums, attendants gesture each vehicle where to park. So, groups of people gather outside the statium parking lot & caravan into the parking lot together so they'll be next to each other. Some of the groups can get quite large...like 20, 30, or even more vehicles. Tents (10'x10') are set up, every type of grill imagineable makes an appearance, generators to run food processors, mixers, etc. Sometimes, the weather is bitter cold (for Pats' games anyway) & people are bundled up...boy, does the chowder taste good! There's always music around.

People wander around the parking lot talking to other tailgaters, eating, & BSing about the game. Some will offer to share their bounty with you. There are also a lot of individual families tailgating so they've got a smaller spread. That smaller spread might be very elaborate though.

I've tailgated at the old Mile High Stadium (Denver) and here for Pats' games. At both places, tailgating can be competitive. Bragging rights matter. :)

You arrive at the stadium hours before a game to get set-up, prepare your food, visit with other tailgaters, & hike around the parking lot to see what everybody else is preparing.

I've never tailgated except for football games with Monday Night Football as my personal favorite.

/tricia

Tailgating is definitely defined by the event.

At Monmouth or Radnor Hunt Races, it is very elaborate, fine silver, usually catered, often open bar, unless you are a corporate invitee, then you are enjoying the same under their tent. Almost always limited to prior invitations.

Tailgating at a Jimmy Buffett concert is a compete 180 from that - lots of Hawaiian shirts, blender drinks, Landshark beer, bare feet or flip flops and one friend has redone their old pop-up camer as a Tiki Bar and serves all manner of beverages and grilled shrimp, grilled pork tenderloin, rice, etc. They bring over a ton of sand and an inflatable pool to finish the beach front effect in the parking lot. Anyone who can contribute to the party is welcome, you make a lot of new friends (aka Parrotheads) at Buffett concerts.

And there is a LOT of leeway in between. Food Network has an entire section of Tailgate recipes....

Basically it is whatever you want to make it!

Alexa

Here is a link that might be useful: Foodnetwork tailgate recipes

OK, so you just prepare food for your own gang, as elaborate as simple as you may wish it to be.

I get that.....

It just seems from what I've seen on TV that people are serving other people...that's what I didn't get.

Hollywood Bowl in a box seat, white table cloths, picnic for four, good wine, good times.

Hollywood always misrepresents things...here, BBQ is big and for gourmets - which would be all of us reading this- local specialties prepared well are big. Boiled peanuts are popular too.
The whole idea of eating in a parking lot does not appeal to me on any level and I am not a tailgate fan but my brother is hugely into it.

LSU tailgating is a blast!! When we tailgate we always tell friends that may be going to the game to stop by our area and help themselves to whatever we have available. Most times there are many people participating and all bring something to be shared. We don't provide the alcohol, just good food, we don't want to have any drinking and driving. I've set up tables with white table cloths or just plain ol tables with a varitey of food.
We've never grilled on the lot but alot of people do. I prefer to just set up and share the love before a game!

Sharon, it just a giant outdoor party and the food can vary as mentioned above. I've been to OU many times over the years and have found the crowd to be great. Some big time BBQ folk will share and or sell food off the giant grills/smokers they pull behind their trucks. We go down with a group and meet up with friends of friends etc.... We all share the food and drink. I've been handed a cold one more than once from a stranger but fellow fan while walking around taking it all In. Same goes for food more so munchies. Really it is a good time for the most part. Sometimes a few may get a little to rowdy but security is generally good.

The worst I've seen has been in Dallas for the TX/OU game. Huge rivalry and a game that has been being played now for over 100 years. The wild crowd is usually down in the Deep Elm District(bar/nightclub area) the night before and the day/night the of the game. The game is played at the fairgrounds and that crowd, although worked up, is much more controled.

It's a great time and I think you would enjoy it. Kind of like a cove party on the lake with your boat. A bunch of boats tied up together enjoying good food, drink, and the company of friends and family.

David

Raviannia, fold up table, cloth and candleabra, champagne and flutes albeit usually lexan, cheese spread with crudites and crackers, rolled roasted chicken breast stuffed with mushrooms and spinach, chilled...chilled grilled salmon...a baguette, more wine and nuts and cookies to finish.
Only trouble is you have to schlep it from the parking lot to the amphitheater.
believe me it's a lot better than many other places I have eaten....from Olive Garden and Cracker barrel down to the Micky D's and B.King.

(Lars, who is Gina?)

David one of these days I'm coming to your party. I know you're well equipped, LOL. What can I bring?

Linda, try one of these luggage carts. I bought four of them, I love them so much. They don't apply to 'tail-gate' parties per se, but I keep one in my car and it is SO handy. Bet you could use 'em for your funeral lunches.

One aspect that hasn't been mentioned is that a lot of the people don't go to the game in the stadium. They stay right out in the parking lot and watch the game from there on portable tv's. Many people do as RiverRat said and share with people wandering around, their friends etc. Usually if people stop and talk you might offer them a taste of what you have, etc.

Jessie you think I don't have a couple of those rolling suitcase carriers??

As another Canadian, I kinda had an idea what tailgate parties were all about. I just have a hard time imagining them happening here, as parking is at a premium at any of the sports palaces with which I'm familiar. There's barely room to walk between yours and the next vehicle, and if you are wandering around behind a lowered tailgate, you risk obstructing or being run down by other traffic. Also, the consumption of alcohol is prohibited in most parking lots. If you want to watch a game on TV, you would NEVER go to the bother of trying to get a parking spot at the stadium - you would have the party at home, where the prep is easier, booze is legal, and weather is not an issue.

Ej, come on down any time. No need to bring anything but you and yours. I have my own "tool box"....LOL!

Coconut is correct. A lot of people do watch the game on TV from the tailgate area. We have done that more than once as tickets are hard to get depending on the game. Not to mention you can see the game better on TV depending on your seats. Someone has to die before OU season tickets become available.

Here is a link to the tent/tailgate area at an OU game. Pretty laid back in this vid but the crowd does get crazy as game time gets closer and for sure once the game starts. If the media is in the area look out for some crazy and good times on the cam/news.

For sure the event sets the pace/style of the party. I've been to the Symphony at Sunset here in Tulsa a couple of times over the years. No plastic or paper plates at that event! China, crystal, and real silver all the way for that one. Still a great time!!

Nothing wrong with good food, drink, and good times with friends/family for this guy. I'll even dress up if I need too! LOL!!

David

Here is a link that might be useful: Tailgating @ OU

the closest I've come to a tailgating party was a picnic in Meijer Gardens during the summer concert series. People bring chairs, blankets, picnic baskets. You'll see everything from sandwiches, potatoes chips and coke to sushi to cheese and wine. Lawn tickets are inexpensive and you can hear everything from Melissa Etheridge to Huey Lewis and the News.

It was fun and very, very civilized, but not really a tailgate party in the traditional sense of the word. Here that's grilled meat and beer in a parking lot, definitely not for me.

Annie

People with Rv's come several days ahead to get the best spots and hang out.

The only places I know where they do that is at NASCAR races.
Which I am very sure is a different venue than what goes on for those with box seats at the Hollywood bowl.

We live next to Clemson and the rv's do indeed show up a couple days ahead to get the best spots- which are nice; ruralish, along the lake, under the big trees.
Many of the parking spots are on grassy areas.

Sounds fun - I've never been to a college game. My college (U of Chicago) didn't have any sports that I know of, haha. There was one muddy field behind the gym but that's about it. Sometimes I'm jealous of those schools with the huge games because they always look so energized and exciting.

My experience with tailgating dates back to when we lived in Grand Rapids 32 years ago. Tailgating was really big even then at College football games. We attended a few at Michigan State and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Ann

AnnT, I think it's all in who you tailgate with at the college parties. Ashley went with a date to a UofM football game a couple of years ago and there was tailgating in the parking lot. She came home and said there was lots of booze, lots of ""smoking" and not all tobacco, lots of girls flashing naked breasts, lots of college guys mooning people and she thinks there was some pizza.

I think that was back when possession of marijuana was a $10 fine in Ann Arbor, now it's up to $25 for the first offense, or something similar. They also have the yearly "Hash Bash" and some kind of naked run, so maybe other tailgate parties aren't quite as.....um.....lively?

Annie

I agree it depends on the venue. I've tailgated at many events and the crowds range from fun loving to obnoxious. We normally bring a grill, a large cooler, folding chairs, and large market or beach umbrellas with stands. We're very traditional in that all the food is served on the tailgate of the pickup. Grilled foods provide the anchor and everyone brings various appetizers, sides and desserts. For winter tailgating, we do chili, chowder, soups and stews in crock pots with an AC converter for the vehicle. And yes we do all enter the parking lot together so we can park near each other.

Tailgating venues I've been to:
Loudon Speedway for NASCAR - In the RV section, arrive a couple days early and relax. Yes this requires an RV :-)Gillette Stadium - Pat's game no problem. Good people, a few clowns but nothing outrageous. Lots of grills and some amazing food. Country music concerts, I'm done attending these at a large venue like Gillette, too many drunks, bare everything and slobs. Gillette has reduced the time you can enter the lots before a concert and have upped the police presence but you still get a lot of knuckleheads.
Various Ice Hockey arenas in the NE and Canada for tournaments - This is a blast to be bundled up, sitting and relaxing, eating chow-dah and chili with BAKED BEANS. (OMG Heresy! Sorta like putting tomato in chowder!)
Lots of events in various locations through out the country - Towing Shows, Snowmobile Shows, Boat Shows, Car Shows, Antique Shows, etc. Always nice people who police themselves. At these small venues everyone shares even with strangers! The regional smorgasbord is truly extraordinary! In the hot weather folks bring inflatable pools and tanks of water!
Most interesting tailgating I've done was on a frozen lake on New Year's Eve on snowmobiles waiting for the fireworks at midnight. And yes, there was a pickup truck with a tailgate there. I have to admit it's very tough to tailgate when the windchill is -20F.

Tailgating is definitely competive, it's about having fun but also who has the coolest set up, the best and or most creative food, the best libations, the best theme and the group with the most spirit.

In the 1990's, we used to tailgate at my DH's college alma mater. Mostly with graduates from 1950 - 1978 so it was pretty calm, no funny cigarettes, no flashing, no excessive drinking. The main hostess always made it very nice with fresh flowers, tablecloths, and real utensils. I hate football but loved the socializing at the tailgating so I was the only person trying to drive out of the parking lot as the game started.

For our wedding gift, the above hostess hosted a tailgate party in the parking lot of the alcohol-free reception place. I expected to just see a few people out there but by the time we pulled up, after photos elsewhere, the whole reception crowd was still out in the parking lot enjoying themselves. It was such fun and unexpected and definitely made the reception memorable. I don't know how she had enough booze but I guess she knew everyone would be out there & prepared for it.

Chase: Do not believe any of this !!!

Tailgating is " driving too close to someones Donkey ".
It is in the dictionary.

Seriously, the most I have seen tailgating, is at Nascar races,on the infield.

They did that mostly because it takes so long for all the people to leave, so they just Camp Out for a couple of hours.

At the end of one race; at the Pocono Raceway, there was no way I could get out , for about 2 hours.
The fellow in front of me said,
" you might as well relax with us and have some Barbecued Chicken "

So my wife and I jumped up into his pickup truck bed.

He had a Barbecue, Cooler, small table , folding chairs and even a tent, in case it rained and

of course Beer, in case you got thirsty.

LOU