Simple or lavish, the tailgating party is truly an American phenomenon. Tailgating can be traced to Yale University football games in 1904, when fans arrived by train and often waited outside the stadium for hours before the gates opened. Hungry spectators began bringing their own baskets of food and invited others to join them. Since those humble origins, tailgating has become a nationwide excuse to party and goes well beyond football.

Self-proclaimed “Commissioner of Tailgating” Joe Cahn, who sold his business in 1996 and became a professional tailgater, visits scores of NFL, NCAA, NASCAR and other events each year in his motor coach. “Tailgating is the new community social,” Cahn said. “It’s the ideal American neighborhood, where people gather on common ground and welcome others to share their food and fellowship. Tailgating is growing more popular because of people’s need to socialize.”

In the past few years, Cahn has surveyed over 3,000 people at tailgating parties around the country and has come up with what he says is the “typical tailgater”:

• College educated male between the ages of 25 and 34.


• Spends over $500 a year on tailgating food.


• Attends or hosts six to 10 tailgate parties each season.


• Travels less than one hour to get to the game and begins tailgate party three to four hours before kickoff.

“Tailgating is a movement that is growing stronger every year; a hobby for some, a passion for others, and fun for all who take part in it,” according to Andy Burr, producer of “The Tailgate Show” on Pennsylvania cable TV. Burr started his program in 2003, after witnessing first-hand the enormous popularity of tailgating in Philadelphia.

The Kansas City Chiefs have started a tailgating contest this year to celebrate the enthusiasm of its fans, said Jayne Halterman, volunteer programs and sales coordinator for the Chiefs. “Kansas City is recognized as the best tailgating city in the NFL, partly because it is one of the few NFL cities fortunate enough to have a large adjacent parking area suitable for everyone to gather and partly because of the passion of our fans,” Halterman said.

“North or South, college or pro, one thing all football fans have in common is they’re there to cheer on their team and to have a good time,” said Jim Reid, public relations director for Coleman. “For many of them the tailgating party provides the perfect opportunity to unleash their creativity in cooking, in presenting the feast, and in expressing passion for their team.”

People have their own ideas about ways to tailgate, but regardless of tastebuds or traditions, Coleman recommends the following tips for a successful tailgating party:

• Follow a checklist.


• Pack extra food, beverages and folding chairs for unexpected guests.


• Prepare food as much as possible in advance, leaving more time to socialize.


• Use two coolers – one for drinks and ready-to-eat foods, and one for raw meats. Pack foods in reverse order so that the last ones packed will be the first ones used.


• Come prepared for any weather with sunscreen, sunglasses, layered clothing, hat and gloves. Always pack rain gear – just having it somehow seems to ward off bad weather.


• Arrive early to stake out the best spot in the parking lot and stay late to enjoy the party while the traffic clears out.

The removable top surface is both a grill and a griddle, providing an opportunity for the simultaneous preparation of foods such as steak and eggs, pancakes and sausage, or chicken and vegetables. The grill and griddle surfaces also can be used independently of each other. Remove the grill/griddle surface and a third option appears – a burner that can accommodate various sizes of pots and pans, making it possible to add to the menu such items as coffee, vegetables, pasta or rice.

With legs that detach and fit inside the grill, the compact Party Grill unit is just the right size to take along on picnics, tailgating parties and other outdoor gatherings. It is also a great option for apartments, dorms and other dwellings with limited outdoor areas. Weighing in at just under six pounds, this grill can go anywhere anytime.

It’s easy to clean, too. All of the components are dishwasher-safe, except the valve-burner assembly and the lid. Flame and heat output is simple to control with a knob conveniently located on the front of the grill. The $40 suggested retail price includes grill, lid and carry bag.

The Camp Grill ($61) is a grill on the go. With an extra-large cooking surface, 200 square inches provide consistent cooking temperatures all year long. For added convenience, grease channels away to a removable, dishwasher-safe tray.

Additional food prep area can be fulfilled with the Cooking Station Table. Cooking and food prep can be done side-by-side. The additional rack for underneath storage is a great place to store pots and pans.

The Tailgater™ Folding Table comes in handy when a little extra counter space is needed. Braced U-legs with durable metal frame and hinges provide added stability and the luggage-style carry handle makes transport a snap.

In the stowed position, the self-contained sets feature luggage-style carry handles.

For those early morning caffeine cravings, the Coleman Camping Coffeemaker ($52) makes it possible to drip-brew coffee in the parking lot just like at home – except no electricity is needed. Designed for use with camp stoves, the coffeemaker even has a pause-and-serve feature.

Five seconds is about all it takes for Coleman’s new Hot Water on Demand™ unit ($259) to convert cold water to 100-degree water for washing hands or cleaning cookware and utensils. In just a few seconds more, this portable propane-powered water heater with built-in faucet can produce steaming hot water for making cocoa, a cup of soup or instant coffee – great for those bitter cold days when tailgating can be a chilling experience.

No matter what the weather, the tailgating party must go on! Experienced tailgaters come prepared with ponchos, umbrellas, shelters and – depending on the weather – items for staying comfortable in the heat or cold. An item such as Coleman’s 3-in-1 Blanket ($22) serves triple duty as a hooded rain poncho, stadium cushion and fleece-lined blanket.

The Coleman Company, Inc. manufactures and distributes products for camping, backpacking, tailgating, backyard grilling and other outdoor leisure-time activities. Specialty brands include Coleman® BackHome® and Coleman® Exponent®. Widely available in the United States, Canada and more than 100 countries worldwide, Coleman products can be found at outdoor retailers, sporting goods stores, mass merchants, hardware home centers, food and drug stores, and online retailers.

Note to media: See related sidebars – Tailgating Tidbits, Tailgating Checklist, Tailgating Recipes From the Clever Cleaver Brothers , More Tailgating Recipes From the Clever Cleaver Brothers and Tailgating Treats. Several lifestyle and product images, as well as news releases, are available for downloading at www.coleman.com/newsroom.