Paige Minear from @inthepinkclutch and I have teamed up again. We both love entertaining and thought it would be great to share our tailgating ideas. Paige hails from Georgia and I from Kentucky. Both states are crazy about their football so this will be fun! Go Cats!
When the weekend rolls around thoughts turn to Friday night lights, Saturdays with SEC and ACC football, NFL Sunday, and occasionally a Monday night game.
Friday night in my little corner of the world often centers around high school football. Families gather in the parking lots across the street from the school to enjoy snacks before the big game. Tailgates are open, and platters are filled with delicious treats. This year we are watching football with just our family and a few close friends and we’ve moved the tailgate to the back yard.
Check out Paiges At Home Tailgate post.
We pull the car to the back, open up the tailgate, and set up as if we were at a big stadium with all the fans.
The setting may have changed this year but the menu has not. A pot of my Oh So Good Chili, an assortment of delicious toppings, and cornbread fills us up and sets the mood so we can cheer on our favorite teams.
We pull the car to the back and set up as if we were in a stadium parking lot. Our backyard is decorated with pumpkins, mums, and fall flowers to create a beautiful atmosphere for our at- home tailgate gatherings. Earlier this year we created an outdoor space that we continue to enjoy this time of year. The Adirondack chairs surround the fire pit and create a cozy, welcoming space. I like to set out a basket of throws and blankets as the fall temperatures drop.
Steve and I went to the University of Kentucky. During football season our day started with a pre- game party at his fraternity house, he was a Pi Kappa Alpha and I was a Delta Gamma. We made our way to Commonwealth Stadium with maybe a tumbler of bourbon and coke in tow…wink, wink. We always made a stop at our friend’s parents’ tailgate party to grab a quick snack and perhaps another cocktail— and then onto the game to cheer on the WildCats. Win or lose, we made some great memories.
Tailgating in the South is about eating, having a drink, if you so oblige, and cheering on your favorite team, don’t you agree? My menu always includes Pimento Cheese with crackers, Pumpkin Bread and an Apple Calvados Tart. I always start with a big pot of Oh So Good Chili made the day before to make sure the chili has plenty of time to build all its flavors. Chili is not worth serving unless you have assortment of toppings. Our Chili bar includes green onions, shredded white cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced radishes, crackers and cornbread muffins.
Pull together an assortment of iced-down speciality sodas, a bottle of wine or two, and a few classic bottles of booze for a cocktail. Bourbon will always take the chill out of a fall day, so try a Kentucky Mule or even an Old Fashioned to celebrate Kentucky-style.
Creating a playful and relaxing space doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.
Pull together what you have to create your very own tailgate experience. Baskets, pumpkins, mums, throws, footballs, and small tables. Anything can be used to create an outdoor event space.
PS: Don’t overthink it! Enjoy some football, and your friends and family.
Follow my friend Paige Minear for more fabulous ideas and check out her Cocktails for Two post also.
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