6 minute read

Night Tailgating and 5 Ways to Keep Warm

by Carroll R. Walton, carroll@insidetailgating.com

As a mother of three sons ages 3 and younger, I don’t get out much, especially at night. So, when I escaped for a girls’ night out at a college football tailgate recently, I was blown away by the spectacle of night time tailgating. It was so cool! Normally when I tailgate for a college football game, or think about tailgating in general, I picture a beautiful Saturday or Sunday afternoon. But when my sister and I drove up to Durham, N.C. for the Duke-Notre Dame football game in early November, it was already dark when we pulled into the parking lot. Kickoff was at 7:30 p.m. and with the end of daylight savings, the sun had set on Wallace Wade Stadium by 5 p.m.

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Even so, the scene was, well, electric! And yes, I know, Duke doesn’t have a giant reputation for its football program but I’m telling you, Duke has a sneaky good pre-game atmosphere. With a recently renovated stadium and Coach David Cutcliffe at the helm, the tailgating game is solid. And just because it was dark and really chilly (it was 32 degrees by the start of the third quarter) that night, it didn’t seem to dampen anybody’s spirits. Being dark early almost made it more festive, in part because it felt so different.

Carroll Walton (left) with sister Louise (right) and friend Jimmy outside Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C.

One of the first things I saw that intrigued me as we pulled into the lots was two guys playing cornhole in the dark. They had set a battery-operated lantern on the ground under each board which lit up the hole. Genius! Really, all you need to be able to see is where you’re aiming. And what a great way to stay moving and warm. I saw grills doubling as heat sources, bringing a “campfire” feel to the tailgates, which made the mood seem even more intimate and fun. People were standing huddled together in groups, talking, laughing and rubbing their hands together in the front of their fire pits.

My sister and I are lucky to have a gracious friend with a fabulous tailgate spread. All we had to do was just show up (did I mention I have three sons 3 and under?) and we had a delicious hot meal and a seat by the fire waiting on us. Jimmy had hot chili bubbling in a stainless-steel pot, and we popped open a couple of beverages we had brought in the name of hospitality. We caught up on friends and family, and oh yeah, the latest with Duke football. And we did it while standing on a rug. That’s an especially nice touch, and something that makes you feel a little warmer on a cold night.

At Duke, they shoot off fireworks an hour before kickoff to let you know it’s time to start winding down your tailgate. Seeing them pop against the night sky? All the more reason to enjoy the change of pace of a night-time setting.

With the upcoming college bowl season and soon thereafter, the start of the NFL playoffs, tailgating after dark is going to be a regular thing for the next few months. After my fun night out—minus the lopsided loss, of course—I thought I’d suggest a few items that might help make your wintertime tailgate more enjoyable:

1) Hand warmers, that are great to shake up and keep in your pockets, gloves, or inside of your boots!

2) A set of string lights to hang from your canopy gives a little ambience to the tailgate while serving a practical purpose too, and

3) some “officially” lit cornhole boards would be a fun addition to any night time tailgate as well. Ultimately, the biggest challenge of any winter tailgate is coping with cold temperatures.

Inside Tailgating correspondent Jason Bales has some great tips on how to stay warm this tailgating season. Read on for those!

5 WAYS TO KEEP WARM AT WINTER TAILGATES

Jason Bales, Inside Tailgating correspondent

1) Dress for success. Always dress appropriately. Unlike the offensive linemen for the Green Bay Packers, tailgaters need sleeves to stay warm. Over-dressing is better than under-dressing. You can always take layers off but can’t add layers you don’t have. Drop the macho-man attitude and bundle up. When it comes to winter apparel, the price tag does matter. Canada Goose might seem overpriced inside the heated storefront, but in sub-zero temperatures, it makes a big difference. Obviously, not everybody can afford Canada Goose, but always opt for the more expensive brand when shopping for winter coats. And bring as much added heat as possible. We recommend OCOOPA rechargeable hand warmers. Keeping your fingers and toes warm is half the battle!

2) Gather around the grill. Set up a heated central location within your tailgating zone. The easiest way is for everybody to gather around the grill. Whether gas, wood, or charcoalbased, add extra fuel and leave the grill lid open. The smell from the hotdogs and hamburgers will lift the crowd’s spirits, and the heat will keep people happy. If grilling isn’t part of your tailgating experience, consider setting up a fire pit instead. We recommend this pop-up pit with an added heat shield!

3) Consider hot, fingerfree food. Certain popular tailgating foods, such as grilled corn-on-the-cob or chicken wings, might be delicious, but they’re difficult to eat without bare fingers. Make your food offerings glove-friendly! Hotdogs and hamburgers are an obvious choice, and if you’re looking for a way to spice up your veggie burger game, see this article. However, there are a few more creative routes to take. Chili is a great option. Just be sure to bring bowls and spoons or ditch the bowls with a few pre-made walking tacos.

Also, consider adding chili peppers to your winter tailgating recipes. Capsaicin, an active chemical in chili peppers, induces thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is the process by which cells convert energy into heat. Be careful not to overdo it, though. If your body gets too hot, it will start to sweat, and sweat can cause damp clothing, which is a dangerous combination in sub-zero weather.

4) Put down the beer. Pick up the hot chocolate. Leave the beer at home this winter tailgating season. OK, bring the beer along but have some alternative options for those who would rather drink hot beverages instead of ice-cold beer. You might be thinking, only children party with hot chocolate, but you’re not thinking hard enough. Food Network has a great recipe for alcoholic hot chocolate! For anyone who doesn’t enjoy sweet drinks, a simple hot toddy will do the trick. It couldn’t be easier. Bring hot water, whiskey, honey, and lemons, and follow Cookie and Kate’s recipe.

5) Break out the games. Keep moving! Tailgating is better with games whether it’s summer or winter. In winter the activity of playing games will keep your body warm. Plus, it’ll keep your mind off the weather. Cornhole and beer pong are two popular choices, but more active games might be even better. Spikeball is gaining popularity these days, and while it might take some time to figure out how to play, it’ll definitely keep you moving. A simpler option is to bring a few footballs to throw around, or even start up a small game, space permitting. Just avoid standing or sitting around. It’s a tailgating party after all!

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