News Feature: Who Has The Best Tailgates... K-State?

Who Has The Best Tailgates... K-State?

By Cecilia Harris

Football fans huddle up in the crisp autumn air several hours before game time to fire up grills in stadium parking lots for the seasonal culinary ritual known as tailgating.

Pre-game day preparation and a playbook of enticing recipes comprise the game plan for experienced Abilene tailgaters Connie and Larry Cooper, who throw an all-star get-together in the parking lot at Kansas State University’s Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

 

“We started in the (KSU College of Agriculture) sheep barn pasture tailgating out of the trunk of the car,” Connie says of her early tailgating experiences when her children, now adults, were youngsters. The Coopers have since moved their tailgating endeavors to the stadium’s parking lot, which requires fans to have a numbered spot. They scored a parking space on the very back row, one they requested in order to take advantage of its location – a grassy area and tree directly across the driving lane next to their space offers respite from the hot asphalt when temperatures soar on game days early in the season.

The Coopers team up with fellow Abilene residents John and Judy Anguiano and Rick and Barbara Johnson to host tailgates for family members and friends under a tent filled with tables of food and beverages.

“It’s fun because you get to see a lot of people when you’re tailgating,” Connie says, “and it’s fun watching our young men (K-State football players Cody Whitehair and brothers Curry and Collin Sexton) from Abilene playing in the game!”

However, tailgating isn’t just for football anymore. People lower their tailgates or open their trunks to break out a smorgasbord before baseball and soccer games, swim meets, NASCAR races, music concerts, art fairs, block parties, and visits to apple orchards, lakeshores and parks.

Connie admits tailgating takes planning, but adds it is well worth the effort. She offers the following tips for a successful tailgating season.

·    Take a head count several days prior to the game to determine how much food to bring.

·    Check the weather report once the kickoff time has been determined. Make the call on what to serve – cold deli sandwiches and salads, for example, are best in warm weather while grilled items are preferred in cooler temperatures and soups are practically a necessity on the coldest days. Connie serves a Cats Verses Hawks Pasta Salad (see recipe below) as the main course when the Wildcats play the University of Kansas. Chili, shredded beef sandwiches, burgers and bacon wrapped shrimp (see recipe below) are other main course ideas.

·   A lineup of finger food snacks such as chips with dip or salsa, fruit, raw vegetables and popcorn can be brought out again at halftime and after the game. Connie recently discovered a mozzarella cheese stick rolled up in a slice of deli ham is a great option.

·    Tackle safe food handling procedures to ensure hot foods stay hot and cold foods are kept cold. If you reside fairly close to your destination as Connie does, she suggests wrapping a hot dish in towels and placing it in an insulated food carrier. Or put the food in a crock pot that can be plugged into your car’s electrical outlet during the journey as well as while tailgating if you’re eating near your vehicle. (Adapters can be purchased if your vehicle doesn’t have an electrical outlet.) Connie also recommends bringing one cooler for food, another cooler for drinks, and, on warm days especially, a third cooler filled only with ice.

·     Make a list of what to pack on game day, such as tables, chairs, tablecloths, eating and serving utensils, radio, grill and extra propane, coolers, food and drink, a tent, flag and pole or holder, paper products, and trash bags, so that nothing is left behind. “And don’t forget your game tickets,” reminds Connie.

·     For the best tailgating experience, she suggests getting to the parking lot when the gates open so that you can get unpacked and have plenty of time to relax and eat before packing up prior to kickoff.

·   Bring a flag and pole or holder with a special item – such as balloons – to fly above your vehicle or tent so friends and family can easily find your tailgate party.

·     Show off your team’s colors and logo. Connie uses tablecloths made out of K-State fabric and secures them to the tables with clips. Pumpkins, Halloween candy buckets, flowers and balloons – all in K-State purple - are among her décor in October. College logo paper goods, serving pieces, collapsible trash cans, chairs, tents, game tables, coolers, and much more are available to display how proud you are of your team.

·     Consider the weather and purchase a tent and a tailgate heater. A tent provides shade on hot days and protects the food from direct sunlight; the tent sides can be attached to block the wind and keep out rain, sleet, snow and the cold when temperatures drop. Many consider an outdoor propane tailgate heater a must on the coldest days at the end of the season.

·     Score big with your guests by bringing a football to throw around and games such as washers or bean bag toss. To keep children entertained, bring toys appropriate for the space available during warm weather and tablets, DVD players or small toys for inside the car when it’s cold. Designate a quiet place for young children to nap.

·     Store together like things, such as paper products and eating utensils, and restock after each game.

·     In the off-season, keep an eye out for tailgating accessories that can enhance your experience. On one shopping trip, Connie unexpectedly discovered a $3 inflatable container that when inflated holds ice in which cold dishes are placed to keep the food within safe temperatures during serving.

Happy tailgating!

What does your Tailgate Party Look Like? What DO YOU TAKE TO THE PARTY?  or DOES KU HAVE A BETTER TAILGATE?