It’s sort of ‘Game Day’: Backyard and Driveway Tailgating 2020

by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RDN, LDN, Tastemaker in Residence

One of the best traditions of fall is the football and sport event tailgates.  The creativity and full-on enthusiasm to celebrate gameday is legendary.  This year is ushering in a different level of innovation as we modify how and who we are able to share in this longstanding love of with.  

The changes start with no stadium attendance and possibly a different team to cheer for if yours isn’t playing.  I’m looking at this as an opportunity to create the look and feel of parking lot tailgates in our own backyards, cul-de-sacs, or driveways.  Having the luxury of full kitchens and appliances helps up the food game significantly.  It’s also an opportunity to choose a new “favorite” team to root for the season.  My Minnesota Golden Gophers will not be playing, so I’m on the hunt for my go-to squad.

As with all things 2020, it’s about flexibility and enjoying the simpler things.  It’s not about giving up fun and community!!

So here are my top “new way” tailgating tips, including some healthified game day recipes:

Theme up the menu

I come from the land of brats, beer, and cheese curds on a tailgate.  But this year I can choose a new favorite team and with that a menu that matches their traditional tailgate favorites. I’m considering cheering for Memphis. This is a great excuse for creating some top-notch southern BBQ recipes and cocktails.

Theme up the décor and apparel 

If you are cheering for a new college team here’s a chance to match up with new team color décor for tables and clothes.  Single-use items that each guest can keep, helps to keep them safe. One idea is to set up a travel cup, T-shirt, or mask decorating stations for adults and kids with handouts with team logos and mascots.  If your area doesn’t have any teams playing that week, you could assign different teams to each group of family or friends. They can then bring in items to decorate tailgates or buffet tables to match their assigned team. 

Food stations for social distancing

Backyards, cul-de-sacs, and neighborhood patios are perfect for setting-up safe outdoor spaces to share food.  We all know the drill of having hand sanitizer out at each food station and making sure people keep a safe distance when getting their food items.  The great outdoors of fall is a fantastic backdrop for sharing in good food together safely.  It also sets up a great way to have different themed tailgates.  Each station can be assigned a theme of menu style, creating a fun and efficient way to enjoy a variety of food and beverages. 

But don’t forget the main gear:

Tailgate Tent

Portable Speakers

Folding chairs

5-piece Grilling and Tool Set

Grill

Beverage tubs and condiment trays

Disposable plates, napkins, eating utensils

Tailgate games that can easily be cleaned

Backyard and parking lot games are an essential part of the tailgate experience. Some traditional games like Bean Bag toss are awesome but can be a challenge to keep disinfected with fabric bags. Some great alternatives would be washer toss, spike ball, rodeo golf, giant yard pong, horseshoes, putter golf, tippy cup (backyard needed or the lake), hockey puck saucer shooting. These games have either plastic or metal which can easily be cleaned with disinfectant between games.

As the professional sports season and winter rolls in we may need a round 2 of ideas, but for now, get out and enjoy the crisp fall leaves and new tailgating traditions!

Here are two new recipes to add to your next Backyard or Driveway Tailgating Party.

Polenta Pizza Bites and Cauli Poppers with Honey Mustard Dressing (gluten-free)