Fun Tailgating Ideas
So there seems to be a lot of OT lately, and not suprisingly so since it is the summer and there is really no news coming out of Fort Schembechler. Since usualy this time of year going into summer I start thinking of what I should get to improve my tailgating experience for my guests that I take with me to games in the fall. I have nothing real special for my tailgates, I have a standard canopy tent, weber grill, cornhole boards, a basic fold out table for food, I just bought a Jawbone bluetooth speaker so I can play music with my iphone, a football. I don't have a generator because a quiet one is quite expensive, but I bought a power converter. Last year for one of the afternoon games I was able to use it to bring a TV and brought an antennae and watch some games on ABC/CBS. So I just want to ask other Michigan tailgaters, what are some different things you have for you tailgates that make unique compared to other tailgates or what do you hope to get to add to it?
Last year we moved away from generators. Gas is messy, they are heavy, transporting it sucks, they make noise etc. We had a couple of boxes built that hold two rechargeable batteries and a 1000W converter in each. Those batteries last an eight hout tailgate. They can run our Bose L1 Towers for music - http://www.zzounds.com/item--BOEL1COMPACT. In addition, we have added couple of Margaritville drink makers - http://www.frontgate.com/x/370524?cm_mmc=Comparison+Shopping-_-Nextag-_-NA-_-NA&mr:referralID=dbebf5cd-e014-11e3-9926-001b2166c2c0&SourceCode=ZZ50867&ntclickid=-8682192397072677732&redirect=y. If you don't have a portable tailgate potty you should look into one. I am looking forward to new ideas as well this year!
Here is the battery: http://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Replacement-Universal-Replaces-Scooter/dp/B00BMHO5G0/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1400587099&sr=8-4&keywords=battery+amazon+ub12180. The converter: http://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-1000w-Inverter-Supply-MRI10011-1/dp/B007SLDDHQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1400587138&sr=1-4&keywords=1000w+converter
Thanks. I am going to try this.
Do you rig the batteries in parallel? I've been considering this for my tailgate.
This sounds curiosly like my tailgate crew.
AAGO? Cornhole tourney?
"I WIN!!!"
Your drinking games are lame.
I would also suggest frickets (you can youtube this awesome yard game), washers, or horse balls / ladder golf as options for entertainment. These are always well received.
And, you can always play flip cup on a folding table or make yourself a shot-ski.
Although I don't have a tailgate of my own per se, when I do go to them, I offer to bring a themed dish and this tends to go over pretty well. Usually, I will try to shoot for something that is unique to the metropolitan area of the opponent. For Northwestern in 2012, for example, I bought some stuff from Portillo's and Lou Malnati's and had it shipped to my house so it could be cooked at the tailgate. For Maryland this year, I am planning to latch on to a tailgate and bring some crabs to steam (I have seafood connections - I can make it authentic).
I started doing this type of thing, themed food, for each week's game. Although I don't live anywhere close to Ann Arbor, I prepare the food for my own personal consumption at home. I did find a link that was helpful, too. Although I don't always take the idea straight from this site, it helps me out when I don't have a clear plan. Link: (use the whole thing, it seems to be giving me trouble as I try to post...)
Drink good beer.
Another fun game is Redneck Horseshoes (Ladder Toss).
If you don't have Washers out as well you are not fully committed.
Cornhole > Washers > Can Jam > Ladder Golf/Toss
although this usually has to be played in grass. Set up a couple 5 foot poles and set empty 20 ounce beer bottles on top of them. Each team has to attempt to hit the bottle off or hit the pole. The other team may grab the bottle before falling to the ground. Hitting the poll is 1 point and knocking the bottle off his 3 points. All 4 people playing must have a beer in their hands throughout the games that they are casually drinking (so the people pictured below are cheats!).
Bring some subs. It will be crazy!!!
hmmm .... Awning w/sides (check), grill (check), Michigan pod chairs (check), football (check), M flag on 12 foot pole ... stripper not included (check), beer AND ice ... can't have one without the other (check), heater for cold weather (check). Guess that's it ... helps if we're playing a big time opponent ... WHOOPS well then there's 2014 !!
Go Blue!
only until the pilot strays 60 miles or so.
stay back on the golf course. Sounds like a nice set up, but I admit, I must question your fanhood. Why don't you just stay home if you are going to watch it on the TV? Seems like a lot of work to go through, I know I would never miss the game in person, but hey thats just me...
It would be great if everyone would stop questioning the fanhood of others because they choose to enjoy things in a different way than you would have.
But for good effect, how about handling it next time like Harry himself would have!
I can imagine him saying,
"Tailgating traditions are like assholes, punk---everybody has one!"
or,
"Questioning my fanhood? But before you do go question anybody's fanhood around here, you've gotta ask yourself a question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well...do ya, punk? Go ahead, make my day..."
It depends if it's something you've always done or selling your tickets this year because you're mad at Dave Brandon, Hoke and everyone else. For example, you've always watched Michigan games since 1991 on tv. That's good and ok. You're selling your tickets this season because Dave Brandon is an evil man and you're trying to boycott Michigan football until they do what you want. Then you're a fairweather fan.
Is that code word for the performance of the team? It's pretty weak not to go because of team performance. The in stadium experience is pretty much the same as it's always been besides piped in music and luxury boxes which we've had for awhile now.
nothing personal, just not my style...
makes me question yours...i think....?
Or regular darts, any pointy type objects. They can double as a sobriety test at the end of the day//
Hoping to get a few invites to the tailgate scene in A2 this year. Going through college in the south taught me one thing: the tailgating down south is serious business. However, I don't have much to compare with up north. Tailgating with my mom and grandfather at U-M probably isn't the same as tailgating with some crazed MGOBLOGGERS!