Fun Tailgating Ideas

Submitted by dothepose on

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?

umbig11

May 20th, 2014 at 7:55 AM ^

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!

YaterSalad

May 20th, 2014 at 7:56 AM ^

Each game is a themed food ... Irish Stew or Corned Beef for Notre Dame, Nachos for "Na cho game Northwestern", cheese related items for Wisky, Greek for Sparty, etc. It adds to the fun factor for each opponent, mixes up the usual tailgate food fair, and sometimes can be tricky.



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.

LSAClassOf2000

May 20th, 2014 at 8:23 AM ^

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). 

GoWings2008

May 20th, 2014 at 9:01 AM ^

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...)

http://www.zagat.com/b/50-states-50-sandwiches?utm_source= taboola&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=desktopbuzz#1

BeatOSU52

May 20th, 2014 at 1:26 PM ^

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!).

 

 

 

HELLE

May 20th, 2014 at 8:59 AM ^

side walls for your tent to block the wind, sturdier tent stakes, a Coleman dual burner with skillet (eggs, grilled onions, etc.), tent Porta John and more alcohol.

I don't have a generator either and without it, it really
limits doing anything else. I tried a power converter once to power a crock pot. It killed my battery because I forgot to turn my car on every once in a while.

Indiana Blue

May 20th, 2014 at 9:21 AM ^

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!

cobra14

May 20th, 2014 at 9:26 AM ^

We get every game thinkable throughout the day on a 54in TV. Decided a couple times last year to just stay back from the stadium and watch the game on the golf course. We also use a gas generator and it is quiet. I wouldn't go with anything else. We have multiple tents, a grill, multiple coolers full of beer and liquor. Jell-O shots and boons(circle of death) are traditions.

BlastDouble

May 20th, 2014 at 9:42 AM ^

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...

rob f

May 20th, 2014 at 4:39 PM ^

But for good effect, how about handling it next time like Harry himself would have!

dirty harry A Clint in His Eye   Harry Callahans Best Movie Quotes 

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..."

  Cool 3x4 magnet inspired by the 1971 Clint Eastwood classic, and was ... 

ThadMattasagoblin

May 20th, 2014 at 7:51 PM ^

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.

Callahan

May 20th, 2014 at 9:19 PM ^

I don't think it's as much "making Michigan football do what they want" as much as "if this is what you're turning it into, I'll spend my money elsewhere." Besides, assuming you're right and if that's really the aim, it's much more effective than buying tickets and not showing up, as some have suggested for the Appalachian State game.

cobra14

May 20th, 2014 at 11:39 AM ^

I use to be the same way. Go to every game stay to the end etc. I like going into the first game of the year no matter what.

SECcashnassadvantage

May 20th, 2014 at 10:03 AM ^

1 joint (getting old),1 bottle Jager, 24 pack bud light (to wind down), 24 pack of your favorite micro brews, grill, burner (for chili pot), 2 bags of Doritos, a football, and most importantly a hooker or sketchy neighbor lady.

SECcashnassadvantage

May 20th, 2014 at 10:07 AM ^

And they get rid of people that shouldn't father children. I loved throwing those at my grandma's house when I was a kid. Holy shit those were dangerous, yet so fun.

Avon Barksdale

May 20th, 2014 at 10:07 AM ^

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!