With homecoming games on the mind, the Index staff gives some thoughts about the right ingredients for a tailgate.
Olivia Azzollini, Editor-in-Chief
I think a good tailgate consists of beer and hotdogs. (And I don’t even drink beer) Whenever I go to a tailgate I am starving and looking for food immediately. A good addition to a tailgate would be fun games like dunk tank or face painting. I think the vibe should feel like a carnival or fair.
Ava Hlavacek, Sports Editor
In my head, the basis of a good tailgate revolves around three major things. Good food, fun games, and great people. Although I never really grew up around tailgating culture, my family loved to host Super Bowl and World Series watch parties with lots of food and people. My favorite appetizers include the classic chips and dip and pigs in a blanket, and my favorite backyard game is most certainly cornhole.
Phil Busse, faculty advisor
Certainly some sort of activity takes a tail gate next level: Corn hole, nerf football. But no tailgate is complete without a live grill, and brats.
Malia Nagatani Gibson, Managing Editor
Although I haven’t been to a lot of tailgates, I think one of the most important things is the food. I love a good hot dog (with mustard only), and to me it’s an essential part of the tailgate experience. Another thing I enjoy is being surrounded by people who are hyped up and having a good time together. Infectious energy makes the whole experience more exciting.
Ezri Thompson, staff writer
I don’t go to many tailgates but I think the ones that I’ve been to, the best parts of it was the food and games. There has to be a lot of food, whether it’s a grill and pot luck type of situation or a bunch of food trucks, both are good. Some of the games that are good at tailgates that I’ve seen are things like cornhole, a football being thrown around, and horseshoes. The last thing that makes a tailgate good is a lot of people and really good/high energy.
Sam Janes, Digital Editor
I’ve never actually been to a tailgate, but from what I presume you would need chairs and tables just to start out. Maybe those tables won’t be coming back after you’re done (if you’re at a Bills game). Other than that, I think people are obviously important. If you don’t have enough people I feel like your tailgate would be a bit lifeless, so having a good amount of people makes the atmosphere what it is.
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