Whether you’re a tailgating pro or going to your first-ever tailgating party, sometimes you’re not quite sure what to bring. Do you really need a crockpot or a game of cornhole? Make sure to fire up the grill and stick to wearing comfortable yet stylish clothing at the pre-game. If you’re still unsure of what to bring to your next tailgating event, we’ll break down what exactly tailgating is, along with the nine must-have tailgating essentials you should bring to your next pre-game celebration.
- What Is Tailgating? — According to Tailgate Master, tailgating is usually an outdoor social event that’s held in the parking lot near a sporting event. It’s an outdoor pre-game celebration. While tailgating is normally associated with professional and college football, it can extend to other sports, like baseball and soccer, and even some Jimmy Buffett concerts. After all, can’t we all use a little margarita before Jimmy Buffett goes on to play “Margaritaville?” When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with wearing classic game day clothing at any tailgate.
- Wear Comfortable Clothes — Just because we’re saying comfortable, it doesn’t mean you have to wear clothing that isn’t trendy. There are plenty of options for cute women’s clothing that you’ll enjoy wearing all day at the tailgating event. Make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes like flats or sneakers. If it’s a really hot day, you’ll want to wear shorts and plenty of sunscreen. Don’t forget to accessorize with a hat and sunglasses as well.
- Portable Grill — When you picture tailgating, you probably picture someone flipping burgers and hotdogs at the grill. That’s because tailgating and grilling go together. You’ll want a portable grill that has enough room to feed a substantial crowd. Get one that’s large enough to cook several burgers, hot dogs, and other popular grilling foods all at once. Get one that has wheels on it, so it’s easy to transport.
- Grill Set — On that note, you need more than just the grill. After all, you’re not exactly going to be flipping burgers and turning hotdogs with your bare hands. That’s where a handy grill set comes in. A high-quality, portable grill set will come with essential pieces like a spatula, grill tongs, and a cleaning brush.
- Meat Thermometer — If your grill set doesn’t already come with it, get a meat thermometer. An accurate digital meat thermometer usually only takes a few seconds to get an accurate reading. You should be able to get a proper read on different meats from more than just one angle. That way, you’ll know the chicken wings are cooked to perfection.
- Pop-Up Canopy Tent — The forecast says it’s going to be a beautiful sunny day until it isn’t. The last thing you want is for your tailgating party to get rained out. That’s why you should be sure to bring a pop-up canopy tent. That’ll keep you and your food dry. Plus, anyone else under your tent. Even on a sunny day, the canopy tent is great for keeping you cool and shielded from the sun. If you’re not quite sure what the weather will be like, pack some women’s outerwear with you to be prepared for any kind of weather.
- Camping Chair — Camping chairs aren’t just for hiking and camping. You can use a camping chair when you go to the beach. You can also use it when you’re hosting or joining a tailgating party. Get a compact camping chair that folds and has features like a cooler pouch to keep several cans chilled at once. Get one with a cup holder so you can easily reach for that ice-cold beverage. A strong and sturdy frame will ensure that you’ll have a solid place to sit.
- Hard Cooler — Just like a camping chair, there are plenty of opportunities to use a hard cooler. You can bring it with you when you’re going to family events or to the beach. Keep it with you when you’re doing some work in the backyard. You’re definitely going to want a hard cooler when you’re hanging out at the tailgating party. A high-end, hard cooler can hold about 45 gallons of ice. They’re super durable and offer top-notch insulation. Keep all the beverages and other snacks you’ll need to keep cool during the entire duration of the tailgating party.
- Bluetooth Speaker — Let the tunes flow and party on with a Bluetooth speaker. There are plenty of popular speakers that pack a powerful sound, even in mini form, so do some research and see which brands work best for you. Try ones that are waterproof that offer great value for the price. You’ll want ones that just weigh a few pounds, so they’re lightweight, easy to carry, and ideally waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about getting your speaker caught in the middle of a downpour.
