Game plan: Craft perfect tailgate with food, games, SU swag
Swap your red cups for orange ones for tailgate games. Drew Osumi | Staff Photographer
Even if you’re not a huge sports fan, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: tailgating is important. It’s where sports fans get hyped up before the game. But to the Pulp staff, it’s even more important than that — tailgating is home to some of the best food and games out there. So, in preparation of this weekend’s first Syracuse home football game of the season, take some tips from us on how to throw the best tailgate party — ever.
— Compiled by The Daily Orange feature staff
Game time
All tailgate games are easy enough to learn and play, even if you’re not very sporty. Take beer pong for instance. Sure, you’ve probably played it before, but if you haven’t played it at a tailgate party yet, you’re doing it wrong. This is your chance to take it to the next level and really “Go orange!” Use orange cups instead of red, and get a little crafty by building your own SU-inspired table. It’ll make the game that much more fun.
Other classic tailgating games include: ladder ball, Kan Jam and corn hole. But even tossing a football around is always acceptable.
And nothing gets people more excited than a good playlist of music, so make sure you have one ready. Remember though, this isn’t the time for feel-good music; this is the time for pump-up music. Of course, it’s always a great idea to include crowd pleasers, like “Sweet Caroline,” “Eye of the Tiger” and “Centerfold.” Make sure you have a solid set of speakers available. Standard computer speakers don’t count.
Good eats
The central part of any party is the food. Guaranteed, your friends will have a good time at your tailgate no matter what, if you put food in front of them.
For starters, your friends are not going to be happy without some chips and dip. Get adventurous with your flavor choices, but keep the staples there. You can’t go wrong with Ruffles potato chips and sour cream and onion dip, so be sure you have plenty of that. And if you’re going to do chips and salsa, upgrade and buy Scoops for a little added class. A veggie tray is also a nice touch, and some kind of dessert, like cookies or brownies, to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.
While snacks are a must, if you really want to impress your friends, you need to give them something with a little more substance. Consider ordering wings with a variety of dips and sauces so everyone can find a flavor they like. But sometimes half the fun is making the food, so fire up the grill and cook hamburgers, hot dogs and shish kebabs. Having your guests help with the cooking process will be fun in itself.
Overall, just be sure you have enough food for everyone. Be on the safe side when you’re shopping, because you definitely don’t want to run out of food before everyone is full. Worst-case scenario: You get stuck with some awesome leftovers.
School spirit
There is absolutely no way you can show up to a tailgate without being decked out in Syracuse apparel. That’s not to say you need to dress in head-to-toe orange with your face fully painted and the letters SU across your chest. But hey, it couldn’t hurt. If too much school spirit freaks you out, though, opt for an “I Bleed Orange” T-shirt, stick an orange bow in your hair or put an Otto sticker on your cheek.
When it comes to decorating your party space, put up some orange streamers or stick a few SU pennants on the wall. Maybe include an Otto picture here and there. If decorating overwhelms you, though, just stick a bowl of oranges on the table and call it a day.
Even if you aren’t attending the game, make sure you watch it on TV. And don’t forget to cheer the players on and sing all the chants. If your neighbors aren’t banging on your walls telling you to quiet down, you aren’t being loud enough.
