What Is A Tailgate Party? What Should You Bring?

What Is A Tailgate Party? 

Tailgate parties are social events, pre-game celebrations for sports games like baseball, soccer, hockey, and football, so they are generally organised in the stadium or parking lots before the sports games and concerts. The tailgating party is named after the tailgate of a pickup as a table or bench for participants' trucks temporarily.

The party is not only prepared for pickup owners but also welcomes those who love sports and want to enjoy parties where they can gather to chat, sing songs, and play games. It helps to build up teamwork spirit, community and valuable friendship.

Tailgating originated from university football games in the early 20th century. Fans could arrive at the stadium early with snacks and drinks to share with other sports lovers. Since then, tailgating parties have become a grand celebration and gradually become a valuable tradition for national sports games. This kind of entertainment is prevalent nowadays. People even treat tailgating parties as various celebrations for birthdays or office parties. Holding tailgating parties on the beach or any place you like is acceptable. 

What Do You Do At A Tailgate Party?

Tailgating involves a variety of activities. From pre-game BBQs and potlucks brimming with burgers, hot dogs, and other mouth-watering delights to adrenaline-pumping games like cornhole and beer pong - there's never a dull moment at a tailgate party. You can also bring coolers filled with drinks, portable grills for cooking, tables, chairs, games, and even TVs to catch the pre-game shows.

What Do You Bring To A Tailgate Party?

Tailgating sounds intimidating for first-timers, but it's pretty simple and a lot of fun. First, you need a parking space to set up your party. Ensure to arrive early to snag the best spot. Bring food and drinks, a grill if you plan on cooking, and games for entertainment. Having the right equipment guarantees a great time for everyone!

The tailgate party equipment can be divided into four categories: essentials, food & drinks, entertainment items, cleanups, and extras. Please keep reading to learn more about it.

Tailgate Party Essentials

The essentials for a tailgate party are vital. As you prepare for your next tailgating event, make sure to refer to this checklist so you can notice everything necessary. You are responsible for ensuring everyone has a seat to sit, drink and eat. 

At the tailgate party, the barbecue is the most anticipated and exciting part of the pre-game celebration. The party usually lasts 2-4 hours, so almost everyone will eat at the party. In that case, barbecue is the best choice for everyone because it can make people eat fresh and hot delicious food and give everyone a sense of interaction and become more familiar with each other. What a unique experience it is when friends do it together!

Don't try to flip those burgers with your hands or paper plates in case you burn or accidentally drop the food. Bring professional barbecue equipment, such as tongs, spatula, and skewers. We recommend using disposable plates and napkins so you don't have to spend time doing dishes and laundry after the game.

Remember to buy some recyclable disposable items and follow the concept of protecting the environment and living green. Hamburgers and hot dogs are preferred. Remember beer, hard seltzer, or canned cocktails. Alcohol can not be absent for any single party!

Tailgate Party Entertainment Items

Besides the essentials, entertainment is the core of tailgating parties, even if the tailgate is the main event! To foster a feeling of community, it is vital to ensure that you are well-prepared to enjoy yourself with your loved ones. You are advised to bring a portable speaker, karaoke and camera. Some traditional games are also needed, such as football or card games.

Portable speakers are the key to a party, creating a great party atmosphere with your favourite music to get everyone high. Charge the speakers in case the power dies in the middle of the party. It would be fantastic if you played your guests' favourite songs. You can also collect guests' music preferences and organise the playlist in advance.

There are many memorable moments at tailgate parties; of course, take photos and videos to record them and then edit them into a beautiful vlog. All moments of revelry are recorded, whether chatting and laughing, playing games together, or barbecuing. Of course, you can also send instant messages to share happiness on social media.

Tailgate Party Cleanups

The field must be cleared before the tailgate party ends. So remember to bring all the cleaning tools and things you need to avoid leaving the area messy. By the way, if you want to feel more relaxed, you can clean up the field before the event starts so that you have a more relaxed mood for the upcoming game.

Also, you can put garbage bags and cans in every corner of the party and remind everyone of the existence of these garbage bags and cans so that everyone can throw garbage into it so that you can save some cleaning time. Except for the garbage bags and cans, there are more cleanup supplies.

Spare hamburger patties or other food should not be thrown. Otherwise, it may attract many flying insects, and food will be well-spent. You can take a roll of aluminium foil, wrap up the uneaten items and return them to their cars with your guests, or keep them for yourself. If you have a portable refrigerator, you can always keep them fresh.

Tailgate Party Extras

The following items may be optional, but if you have enough space, it is recommended that you bring them. In case you or anyone else needs it. You should still get an umbrella or poncho even if the weather prediction says it will be sunny; you never know when the weather can take a turn for the worse, like an unexpected downpour. Make sure you have a pair of rain boots.

When you've finished grilling burgers or other grills and are ready to enjoy them at a party, you don't want to spend hours in the sun. Sunbathers and revellers may find refuge from the heat under a pop-up umbrella. A sailor parasol on top of the car is also a good option. More extras will add vividness to the tailgate party.

It would help if you prepared for a generator. Portable power generators are necessary for entertainment, cooking and electronic equipment. In that case, Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro or Solar Generator 500 can be the best choice for you. Some sites possibly provide electricity, but it can only satisfy people if the power goes out or the fossil fuel generator breaks down. The generator that uses fossil fuels has certain drawbacks, which are much worse.

Jackery Solar Generators for Tailgate Parties

Solar energy is gaining popularity as a portable power source, particularly when compared to gasoline generators, which are noisy and filthy and require frequent refilling and maintenance. The Jackery Solar Generators are ideal power sources for tailgate parties, allowing you to charge tailgating essentials with solar energy. Power that is both sustainable and kind to the environment is produced by the integrated solar panel.

Jackery is a famous manufacturer of high-quality solar products, such as the Jackery Solar Generators. A Jackery Solar Generator is a portable solar power system that transforms sunlight into electricity before storing it in batteries for later use. Solar generators are easy to maintain, produce no harmful emissions, and run silently, compared to conventional gas-fired generators. 

Jackery Portable Power Stations offer multiple power output options, such as AC outlets, DC connectors, and USB ports, to charge electronics and power home appliances. The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro and 500 are lightweight and portable, making them perfect for tailgate parties. By connecting Jackery Solar Panels to Jackery Portable Power Stations, the Jackery Solar Generator maximises solar energy use.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro

Combining SolarSaga 80W solar panels with the Explorer 1000 Pro portable power station, the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro is an exceptionally quiet solar generator (as low as 46dB), has a lifespan of 10+ years, and can be ultimately charged in 1.8 hours. Its steady-powering dual 100W PD design ensures that all essential appliances are charged during camping.

The rechargeable Explorer 1000 Pro power station has a capacity of 1002Wh, which enables it to supply power to 93% of appliances, including a television, CPAP machine, refrigerator, E-bike, and more. Smartphones, iPads, and laptops may be charged quickly and reliably using its USB-C and 100W PD connectors. The MPPT technology assures an efficiency of solar charging of 99%. The Explorer 1000 Pro portable power station can be recharged in under 1.8 hours. In addition to solar recharge, wall and vehicle recharging methods are also supported.

Product	Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro
Image
Capacity	1002Wh (43.2V/23.2Ah)
Life Cycle	1000 cycles to 80%+ capacity
Battery Cell	NMC battery
Dimension	25.5x26.2x34cm
Recharging Methods	Explorer 1000 Pro + 2*SolarSaga 80W: 9H; AC Adapter: 1.8H; 12V Car Adapter: 12H
Output Ports	2*AC Output: 230V, 1000W (peak 2000W); 2*USB-A: Quick Charge 3.0x2, 18W Max; 2*USB-C: 100W Max, (5V, 9V, 15V, 12V, 20V up to 5A); 1*Carport: 12V⎓10A

Jackery Solar Generator 500 

If electricity is not accessible in the designated camping area, what measures will you take to ensure that your containers remain at a comfortable temperature, your phones are charged, and your coffee is brewed? One can expeditiously resolve the matter by installing a Jackery Solar Generator 500. The conversion of sunlight into electricity is achieved by integrating SolarSaga 80W or 100W solar panels with an Explorer 500 portable power station. 

Extended charging times are possible with the Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station for low to high-power appliances. The power station is suitable for camping due to its large battery capacity 518Wh, portability, foldable handle, lower noise level (46dB, equivalent to a human whisper), lightweight (6.4 kg), and industry-leading BMS technology. A vehicle port, two DC ports, three USB-A ports, one AC outlet, and one DC port are included on the Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station for charging camping necessities such as a refrigerator, speaker, phone, and camera.

Product	Jackery Solar Generator 500
Image
Capacity	518Wh (21.6V/24Ah)
Life Cycle	800 cycles to 80%+ capacity
Battery Cell	NMC battery
Dimension	24.2x19.3x30cm
Recharging Methods	Explorer 500 + SolarSaga 100W: 9.5H; AC Adapter: 7.5H; 12V Car Adapter: 7.5H
Output Ports	1*AC Output: 240V, 500W (peak 1000W); 1*DC Output: 12V⎓7A; 3*USB-A: 5V⎓2.4A; 1*Carport: 12V⎓10A

How to Throw A Successful Tailgate Party?

The best tailgate parties are included in three stages: preparation, performance and cleanup. The tips below can help you master each stage and throw a successful tailgate party.

Step 1: Plan Advance

Plan to arrive four hours before the game starts and eat two hours after you arrive if the stadium will allow it. This will give you ample time to set up, clean up and pack any leftovers before entering the stadium. Ensure to send out a finalised schedule to all your guests so they can plan to arrive accordingly. Adhering to this schedule will give you plenty of time to enjoy the game's closing minutes without worrying about cleanup.

It would be best to find out how many of your friends and family are coming, which is critical to pulling off a great tailgate party. Before planning your food or entertainment or even reserving a tailgating site, you need to know how many guests you will serve. If you are planning your tailgate party well in advance, send out invitations in advance.

Whether planning for just yourself and your immediate family or a slew of friends, you must know roughly how much food to bring to avoid running out of food or drinks within the first hour. If you have taken on the task of supplying food and drinks yourself, ensure you have diet options. Furthermore, you will also need to correctly identify any allergies your guest may have before laying out your complete spread, so please make sure any potential allergies in your tailgate party are identified. Of course, you can allow your guests to bring their favourite tailgating beverages and snacks.

Step 2: Throw Your Party Orderly

The next phase is performance once you have correctly prepped for your tailgate. By effectively carrying out your game day plan, you can elevate your tailgate party from a fun gathering to a memorable experience.

It may be hard for guests to distinguish your tailgating spot from your neighbour's spread. Make sure your sign is unique from others. You can decorate your place with some identifiable balloons, flags or banners. It can not only direct your guests, but it also symbolises the team you support.

Adverse weather can dampen any tailgate, whether it's a late-season snowstorm or a rain shower amid a summer matchup. A canopy tent is your best defence against unexpected precipitation and soggy hamburger buns. Not only will your canopy tent protect your food and guests from rain, snow and other precipitation, but it will also relieve guests from the burning sun on a warm and clear day.

Step 3: Clean Up  

It's also essential to think about what you'll need to do after the tailgate party is over, and being prepared to clean up will allow you to easily store things before you need to get into the stadium. Ideally, you should set aside 60 to 90 minutes to clean up. What is mentioned above lists cleanup tools and what should be cleared. Just remember to check your site after cleaning up. Check your site for any belongings or trash you accidentally left behind.

Tailgate Party FAQs

The frequently asked questions about tailgate parties in Australia are listed below:

1. What size of solar generator do I need for tailgate parties?

Consider your caravan's amp rating when deciding what size generator to acquire. Then, use the following formula to determine how much capacity you require in watts. 

Amps (A) x volts (V) = watts (W)

To select a solar generator of the correct size for your needs, consider your energy demand, the efficiency of your solar panels, battery storage capacity, and the specific needs of your equipment. Choosing the right size solar generator involves balancing energy needs, setup efficiency, mobility, and cost. Customers can select a Jackery Solar Generator with capacities ranging from 12 kWh to 300Wh for a portable solar system based on their energy requirements. The formula for estimating the operational hours of Jackery Solar Generator-powered appliances is as follows:

Working Hours (H) = [Jackery Solar Generator Capacity (Wh)*0.85] / Appliance's Wattage (W)

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro can power a 100W portable speaker for 10 hours (1002Wh x 0.85/100). This calculation helps determine the hours when appliances can operate.

2. What not to bring to a tailgate party?

Many people want an iced coffee or beer at the party's end. However, shipping large beer weights to a tailgate party can take time and effort. Also, alcohol may be banned in many venues, such as picnic areas on campus and stadium parking lots. Therefore, it is recommended that you bring only a little alcohol; if you do, be sure to check the rules and regulations of the venue in advance.

Barbecue is an integral part of the tailgate party, but it is also tricky to thoroughly roast a heavy piece of beef outdoors, and it takes a long time. Still, we know that the duration of the party can be 2-4 hours to avoid the end of the party. If the meat is not cooked, you can partially roast the meat before you come, saving time. Also, remember to use a cooler during transportation to help keep food fresh.

3. What are tailgating legalities & permissions?

Tailgating is generally allowed in most parking lots, but some venues may have specific rules about alcohol consumption, grilling, etc. It's always a good idea to check with the venue beforehand to ensure everything is understood on the event day. Here are a few considerations:

• Get to know the ins and outs of the stadium or venue's policies. Some might need permits or have specific rules that must be followed.
• Ensure you have the necessary parking passes or permits to park in designated tailgating areas.
• Respect any noise restrictions, littering regulations, or alcohol policies that may be in place.
• Be aware of open flame and fire regulations, and use grills safely and responsibly.

Final Thoughts

Tailgate parties are an essential part of sports culture nowadays in partly Australia, providing fans a lifetime chance to eat delicious cuisine and have a blast while supporting their favourite team. Whether you're an experienced or inexperienced tailgate party holder, this guide will help you make the most of your next tailgate party. Remember to take Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro or 500, ensuring your fridge and grill work well at the party so everyone can taste a cold drink and delicious food.