Welcome to Kansas State! As upper classmen, we have had the pleasure of experiencing many tailgates for K-State football games. With the pride our school has, we would like to inform the new students of Kansas State on how to properly attend and host a tailgate at the Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Tailgating is an American tradition that occurs at many sporting competitions. Tailgating at a football game is typically a social cookout before the game starts. If there is one activity that truly defines the American experience when it comes to sports, it’s tailgating. Quite frankly, there is nothing in the world that compares to celebrating with hordes of fellow team fanatics in the stadium parking lot before the big game. As for those of you who are still trying to grasp the idea of tailgating, or need a refresher, we at Blogspot.com have compiled a guide to help immerse you in this timeless KSU tradition. We will educate the incoming Kansas State freshmen on how to tailgate properly.
Tailgating is an American tradition that occurs at many sporting competitions. Tailgating at a football game is typically a social cookout before the game starts. If there is one activity that truly defines the American experience when it comes to sports, it’s tailgating. Quite frankly, there is nothing in the world that compares to celebrating with hordes of fellow team fanatics in the stadium parking lot before the big game. As for those of you who are still trying to grasp the idea of tailgating, or need a refresher, we at Blogspot.com have compiled a guide to help immerse you in this timeless KSU tradition. We will educate the incoming Kansas State freshmen on how to tailgate properly.
· Purple attire is one of the most important materials needed for a Kansas State football tailgate. As students, we like to represent our school and show how much pride we have.
· Weather gear, including sunscreen, umbrellas, ponchos and jackets. Always come prepared when it comes to tailgating outside, especially in Manhattan, Kansas where the weather is almost never predictable.
· Coolers. When thinking of tailgating one of the first things that may pop into your head is ice-cold beer. In order to keep that beer cold, which tastes so good at a hot tailgate, you must have a cooler.
· Water. Although cold beers at a tailgate do taste good, it is important to keep hydrated in the hot sun by drinking lots of water throughout the day.
· Food. Food is a big part of tailgating at Kansas State whether it’s hot dogs or hamburgers, it’s always important to keep the food coming.
· Water. Although cold beers at a tailgate do taste good, it is important to keep hydrated in the hot sun by drinking lots of water throughout the day.
· Food. Food is a big part of tailgating at Kansas State whether it’s hot dogs or hamburgers, it’s always important to keep the food coming.
· Grills. Along with the food comes the necessary appliances to make it. Make sure to have at least one mini grill.
· Tables. Without tables, where would you put the food? Stores like Walmart have cheap fold up tables like the one pictured below that are always available for sale.
· Tables. Without tables, where would you put the food? Stores like Walmart have cheap fold up tables like the one pictured below that are always available for sale.
· Seating. Tailgating can be a tiring event, so always be prepared by bringing a fold up chair of some sort.
· Tents. If possible, tents are great to have at tailgates. Tents help keep food undercover in case of bad weather, and they help keep people in a shaded area during those dreadful hot days at the beginning of football season.
· Radio and speakers. These are a must when it comes to tailgating as music keeps the energy alive and everyone in a great mood.
· Games. are necessary at a K-State tailgate. With the amount of high energy going around, no one wants to sit around. Rather it’s throwing a football or tossing a Frisbee, everyone will want to participate at some point.
Below is a short clip of K-State fans being interviewed on their number one tailgate must have's:
· Tents. If possible, tents are great to have at tailgates. Tents help keep food undercover in case of bad weather, and they help keep people in a shaded area during those dreadful hot days at the beginning of football season.
· Radio and speakers. These are a must when it comes to tailgating as music keeps the energy alive and everyone in a great mood.
· Games. are necessary at a K-State tailgate. With the amount of high energy going around, no one wants to sit around. Rather it’s throwing a football or tossing a Frisbee, everyone will want to participate at some point.
Below is a short clip of K-State fans being interviewed on their number one tailgate must have's:
Steps on how to tailgate properly at Bill Snyder Family Stadium:
1 - Find friends and family willing to go tailgating with you. Be sure to tee this up with them in plenty of time to ensure you can all get tickets to the game. It also helps if you're able to all show up at the venue at roughly the same time, or even together, so you might like to arrange to meet at one house first and drive to the venue as a group.
2 - Ensure that at least one person going has a car large enough to cope with all the things you're likely to need to take. The type of things needed will include folding furniture, keg, etc.
3 - Figure out a list of food, drinks, and other items that people will be bringing. This part is important because good planning in advance will ensure that everything goes smoothly and that all people participating are catered for adequately. It also means that the effort gets to be shared around as each person brings along something.
· Check the rules of the venue as to having alcohol, glass containers or kegs. Rules will vary depending on the venue. Plastic cups are probably a safe bet if alcohol is allowed.
· Use containers to keep everything in the right place. All of the dry items such as plates, napkins, and utensils can be carried in a plastic bin.
· Don't forget to bring along bottle openers, garbage bags, ice, water, sun protection, and small plastic bags for taking home leftovers. Condiments, mustard, sauces, and salt and pepper are important items to bring along too!
· Keep all cold and cooked foods in a cooler or thermal tray to keep them at a safe temperature. Perishables like meats should go into one cooler. Veggies and drinks should go in a second cooler.
· If you're in the dark, consider using night lights.
4 - Know the rules and restrictions where you tailgate. In most US stadium parking lots people can bring coolers with alcoholic beverages, gas or charcoal grills, catering tables, and everything from beer cans to fine china. Remember if you are under the age of 21 the drinking alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited!
· If you have doubts you can ask other tailgaters. Since there isn't a fee to enter the parking area on foot you can do a walk through and talk to other tailgaters about the dos and don’ts as well as helpful tips. Most are very friendly and will gladly offer advice.
5 - Plan the food. While it's up to you what you'd like to have, it's recommended that the foods chosen either be ready to eat or take no more than 15 minutes at the most to cook - keep it quick and easy. Suggested suitable foods for tailgate parties include:
6 - Get to the parking lot early. It's nice if two vehicles come together and pick parking spaces right next to each other. Call the people who are coming and tell them where you are if they're not already with you.
7 - Set up any equipment. Start the barbecue grill so that when people show up, the charcoal will be ready to cook straight away.
8 - Have fun, get into conversations with other tailgaters, and enjoy the party. Play your favorite music, have a few games like beer pong, and generally live it up. Just don't drink so much that you can't enjoy the game!
9 – Make it to the game... If you can. Have fun within prescribed limits. We do not condone the consumption of alcoholic beverages if you are under the legal age. However, if you are of age then make sure you do know you limits because you will not want to miss the game.
10 - Clean up after the party. Plan to have enough time to clean and store everything back into the vehicles before the gates open for people to enter the event.
· If you didn't manage to get into the event, have a TV or radio with a power converter so that you can continue to enjoy the game from your tailgate party, if permitted. Alternately, you may simply have chosen to not go into the game but to enjoy it from outside the stadium; this allows you to party on for longer!
11 – Keep the tradition alive. Know the fight song and it goes like this:
"Fight you K-State Wildcats. For Alma Mater fight-fight-fight.
Glory in the combat for the purple and the white. Faithful to our colors, we shall ever be, fighting ever fighting for a Wildcat Victory!
GO STATE!"
Below is a short video of K-State fans singing the fight song at a tailgate:
1 - Find friends and family willing to go tailgating with you. Be sure to tee this up with them in plenty of time to ensure you can all get tickets to the game. It also helps if you're able to all show up at the venue at roughly the same time, or even together, so you might like to arrange to meet at one house first and drive to the venue as a group.
2 - Ensure that at least one person going has a car large enough to cope with all the things you're likely to need to take. The type of things needed will include folding furniture, keg, etc.
3 - Figure out a list of food, drinks, and other items that people will be bringing. This part is important because good planning in advance will ensure that everything goes smoothly and that all people participating are catered for adequately. It also means that the effort gets to be shared around as each person brings along something.
· Check the rules of the venue as to having alcohol, glass containers or kegs. Rules will vary depending on the venue. Plastic cups are probably a safe bet if alcohol is allowed.
· Use containers to keep everything in the right place. All of the dry items such as plates, napkins, and utensils can be carried in a plastic bin.
· Don't forget to bring along bottle openers, garbage bags, ice, water, sun protection, and small plastic bags for taking home leftovers. Condiments, mustard, sauces, and salt and pepper are important items to bring along too!
· Keep all cold and cooked foods in a cooler or thermal tray to keep them at a safe temperature. Perishables like meats should go into one cooler. Veggies and drinks should go in a second cooler.
· If you're in the dark, consider using night lights.
4 - Know the rules and restrictions where you tailgate. In most US stadium parking lots people can bring coolers with alcoholic beverages, gas or charcoal grills, catering tables, and everything from beer cans to fine china. Remember if you are under the age of 21 the drinking alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited!
· If you have doubts you can ask other tailgaters. Since there isn't a fee to enter the parking area on foot you can do a walk through and talk to other tailgaters about the dos and don’ts as well as helpful tips. Most are very friendly and will gladly offer advice.
5 - Plan the food. While it's up to you what you'd like to have, it's recommended that the foods chosen either be ready to eat or take no more than 15 minutes at the most to cook - keep it quick and easy. Suggested suitable foods for tailgate parties include:
- Barbecued steak, chicken, hot dogs, sausages, hamburgers, kebabs, one-pot-meals (chili, macaroni cheese), etc.
- Snacks such as Buffalo wings (pre-made), hero meatball sandwiches, dips, corn chips, nachos, pretzels, etc.
- Potato salad, coleslaw, bean salad, or other salads.
- Goodies for the kids, such as football shaped sandwiches, football cookies and football cupcakes.
- Soda, juice, water, alcohol, hot drinks - hot drinks are as important as cold in the cold weather; coffee, mulled cider, hot cocoa, etc.
- Cook or bake ahead where possible. Items such as baked potatoes will benefit from being cooked in advance and only needing to be heated up rather than cooked on the day.
6 - Get to the parking lot early. It's nice if two vehicles come together and pick parking spaces right next to each other. Call the people who are coming and tell them where you are if they're not already with you.
- Be aware that it does need to be in the parking lot of the designated event, not any random parking lot.
7 - Set up any equipment. Start the barbecue grill so that when people show up, the charcoal will be ready to cook straight away.
8 - Have fun, get into conversations with other tailgaters, and enjoy the party. Play your favorite music, have a few games like beer pong, and generally live it up. Just don't drink so much that you can't enjoy the game!
9 – Make it to the game... If you can. Have fun within prescribed limits. We do not condone the consumption of alcoholic beverages if you are under the legal age. However, if you are of age then make sure you do know you limits because you will not want to miss the game.
10 - Clean up after the party. Plan to have enough time to clean and store everything back into the vehicles before the gates open for people to enter the event.
· If you didn't manage to get into the event, have a TV or radio with a power converter so that you can continue to enjoy the game from your tailgate party, if permitted. Alternately, you may simply have chosen to not go into the game but to enjoy it from outside the stadium; this allows you to party on for longer!
11 – Keep the tradition alive. Know the fight song and it goes like this:
"Fight you K-State Wildcats. For Alma Mater fight-fight-fight.
Glory in the combat for the purple and the white. Faithful to our colors, we shall ever be, fighting ever fighting for a Wildcat Victory!
GO STATE!"
Below is a short video of K-State fans singing the fight song at a tailgate:
As mentioned in the listed materials earlier, it is always important to have and to drink extra water at a tailgate. Kansas State tailgates are known to be extremely hot in the beginning of the season so it is important to keep hydrated.
It is crucial to have sunscreen on you at all times because the sun is so strong, besides, who wants to have a big farmers tan anyway?
Know your surroundings and always stick with at least one person you know. Although Kansas State is a very safe school, it's not possible to keep track or every person going in and out of the tailgates, especially those from the other school we are playing.
With these steps and guidelines for tailgating, you will be prepared for the fun events that occur while tailgating at the Kansas State football games this upcoming season. As a new wildcat, know that you always have your K-State family by your side. Have a fun and safe tailgating season!
Go cats!
Go cats!
References:
http://m.wikihow.com/Go-Tailgating
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=210OM1xk2mc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X03eHLnpNfc
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/tailgate-essentials
http://www.buzzfeed.com/emofly/tailgating-hacks-that-are-borderline-genius
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/top-5-tailgate-tips.htm#page=6
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/relationships/dining-travel/what-are-the-rules-of-tailgating?page=1
http://m.wikihow.com/Go-Tailgating
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=210OM1xk2mc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X03eHLnpNfc
http://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/tailgate-essentials
http://www.buzzfeed.com/emofly/tailgating-hacks-that-are-borderline-genius
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/top-5-tailgate-tips.htm#page=6
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/relationships/dining-travel/what-are-the-rules-of-tailgating?page=1