Now that your favorite football team and its rivals have returned to stadiums, you can get back to tailgating with your family and friends. Make sure that you're prepared for all the fun by creating a tailgating kit that contains these items.
Food and Drinks
If you do just one thing at your parking lot party, it's to enjoy food and beverages. At minimum, add a cooler full of your favorite drinks, along with bottle openers and coasters. Fill the cooler with ice at the last minute, so whatever you're bringing gets cold.
Some snacks are always welcome. You'll also want a portable grill if you plan on doing some cooking, but don't forget tools like tongs, a cutting board, a spatula, a fork, and a spatula. Bring the food only when you're ready to go and if needed, put it in a separate cooler so it keeps.
Picnic Supplies
Unless you want your family and friends to be eating with their fingers, add picnic supplies like paper plates, plastic utensils, napkins, and cups. A vinyl tablecloth or tarp helps protect the rear of your vehicle.
If you have the carrying capacity, a portable table, folding chairs, and a pop-up tent adds a touch of luxury. Allow enough time to set up and take down these amenities before kickoff.
Entertainment Devices
Load your smartphone with your favorite tunes and bring a Bluetooth speaker or two to broadcast your selections to the gang. You can also listen to the pre-game commentary off the radio if your audio system has a wireless Bluetooth connection.
Cleaning Supplies
Clean up after the festivities with large garbage bags for your waste and another for recyclables. Aluminum foil and plastic containers can be used to store leftovers that you want to take to your seat or home.
Team Banners
The entire point of heading to the stadium is to show support for your team. Some pennants and banners, which you can buy at your team's website, can decorate your space and reveal who you think should win. You can also make your own custom signs and pieces at many office supply stores and print shops, but use vinyl or some other weatherproof material, so they last for many seasons.
Health Aids
Because everybody is concerned about health nowadays, you'll need a stash of disinfecting wipes to clean everything and everyone. Another option is a pump container filled with sanitizer lotion that kills germs and moisturizes the skin.
Game days can be sunny and your skin can turn red without protection. Bring enough sunscreen to cover you and everyone else.
Did you eat a little too much BBQ and aren't feeling right? Antacids and aspirin are indispensable. You might as well bring a first aid kit to take care of any minor health issues.
Warm Clothing and Blankets
As the temperature drops, you don't have to get cold if you dress warmly. But there's always be somebody in your group who forgets to bundle up. Take care of them with warm clothing extras like scarves, beanies, and mittens. Blankets with your team logo keep everyone cozier.
Get Set for the Season
When you're on your way to the stadium, the last thing you want to happen is for your ride to break down and jam up pre-game traffic. Before you start the season, take your vehicle to the Service Department at Glockner South Point Ford, which serves Huntington, WV, and Lawrence County, OH.
Our expert auto mechanics are factory-certified and can give your car the once-over. We use only manufacturer-approved parts to make repairs to optimize your drive. You're welcome to hang out in our waiting area and catch up on player stats using our free Wi-Fi. If you want to start prepping your tailgate kit, you can take advantage of our free shuttle service to your home.
If you're looking for a new tailgate vehicle, talk to our sales consultants in the Sales Department. They'll be happy to answer your questions and take you on a test drive of the 2021 Ford Expedition, which easily seats up to eight passengers, or the 2022 Super Duty, which can fit a full-size grille in its spacious cargo bed.