Tailgating Tips

As featured in the Roanoke Times, September 11, 2008

Tailgating Tips – the Un-Sports Illustration of the Game
By Catherine Chapman Mosley

It was a brutal day at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville for UVA’s season opener. I’m not sure which was worse – the Trojan’s 52-7 torching of the Cavaliers OR Charlottesville’s oppressive heat. Since I was there for the tailgating, I will say the latter. Wandering from tailgate to tailgate, I endeavored to stay hydrated with water and Diet Coke while unable to taste a bite of food.

As I apprenticed with Southern Living’s ‘Gameday Gal’ Cassandra Vanhooser (http://talesfromtheroad.southernliving.com/tales_from_the_road/gameday_gal/index.html)at Saturday’s game, I gathered these top five tips for a successful tailgate:

5. Arrive early
What more can you say? For the early birds at Saturday’s UVA game, they got the worm which was shade…

Without a parking pass, we were relegated to pay $30 for a fraternity house space.

“May I have a receipt?” my friend asked.

Apparently the frat boys had never been asked for this. Twenty minutes later, we received the darling, handwritten note we requested.

“Excuse, me,” said an older gentleman, drinking a beer in the driveway. “I don’t mean to offend you, but may I ask why you are wearing black? Does one of you ladies expect someone to get ‘bear-red’ today? (Translation – do you expect UVA to get buried?)”

“It’s slimming,” I replied as I began to question my choice of game day attire, which brings me to point #2…

4. Dress appropriately
I thought my black capris and top would be cool (temperature-wise and fashionably) and “objective.” After all, I was attending the game as a journalist.

I must admit I haven’t been to a college football game in years and multi-tasking all week to prepare to be out of town for a day, I failed to remember that black absorbs heat. Thankfully, the Cavaliers handed out ‘Orange Power’ towels to soak up the sweat that was dripping obviously from every well-dressed Wahoo.

I purchased a $5 tee shirt. But that’s a whole ‘nother story. Thanks for the loan, Bates (my brother and die-hard Cavalier fan).

Finally, remember this is a football game. Dressing up is fun but keep practicality in mind. That also includes comfortable shoes.

3. Go all out on food if you are able
So, your team is outmatched. At least you will be able to enjoy the party.

Gameday Gal loves to see fun decorations and taste delicious food. Most of the tailgates we visited Saturday included Southern favorites such as fried chicken, ham biscuits, chicken salad, pimiento cheese, potato salad and deviled eggs. Fluids were prevalent.

“This is what you come for,” says Charlie Loftin of Charlottesville who catered for the UVA football team from 1974-2005. “I haven’t missed a game in 37 years. It’s wonderful to see friends you haven’t seen in a while and drink a beer with them.”

I came bearing gifts for all the tailgating hosts and hostesses we visited. Natalie Langley of Lynchburg’s www.paperbuzz.com had given me several sleeves of “Hoo’s Thirsty” cups. I also found a couple of preppy flasks at the JCrew Clearance Store.

As far as accessories were concerned, Sandra Bailey of Virginia Beach had a very French look including an adorable pig in Wahoo attire. She also brought blue and orange flowers for all her tailgating neighbors. Apparently there was a French film crew at the game, thus the French theme.

My additional favorite accessories included the UVA football helmet/chip and dip and bottle opener that plays “The Good Old Song.”

2. Be in a good frame of mind for the game
Moderation is the key. However, after the Trojans hit a 24-7 lead at half-time, the woman next to me commented, “This is the kind of game where you wished they sold beer at the concession stand.”

1. Keep food safety top of mind
This is number one for Gameday Gal.

Obviously you don’t want to make your guests sick. With the early season heat and even later on, food safety can’t be understated. In places where you don’t have proper refrigeration, coolers should have plenty of ice and placed out of direct sunlight. This will greatly reduces food safety concerns.

At least our seats were beneath the overhang, shaded with a frequent breeze. My quest for tickets is a story in itself. When Gameday Gal wanted to go to the season opener, I didn’t realize it was the hardest ticket to get in thirty years. My new hero is my fellow writer and former Board of Visitors member, Georgia Willis Fauber.