How to make the most of your Patriots tailgate

With the football games finally starting up again in New England, now is the perfect opportunity to talk tailgating. And since I’m a veteran of the game myself, here are five tips to follow when tailgating a Patriots game (or any other football game).

1.) Be there early

I get it it’s Sunday and you don’t want to have to get up at 7 a.m. to get to the Patriots game. If tailgating is important to your gaming experience (which it absolutely should be, otherwise why are you even reading this?), then sacrifices must be made. Well if you go with a big group not everyone needs to be there early but you do need at least a few people there to get a pretty good seat and set everything up.

It can be a long day of grilling, eating and drinking, but starting early is key so you can relax and not rush. Nothing ruins a tailgate like knowing you’re short on time and rushing through it all, or having to park a mile away because most lots were full when you got there.

I also recommend having a designated spot for the tailgate, although I won’t go so far as to make this an official tip. We have parked in the same lot since Gillette Stadium opened, and we will park there for as long as they allow us. We don’t have space, but we always know we’re going to be roughly in the same place, and I like that.

2.) Talk about the menu

Usually the food and drinks come from different people. One person buys the steak, another buys the chicken, and so on. Be sure to discuss this beforehand. The last thing you want is two people showing up with the same food. You also need to make sure people eat what you bring and check if anyone has food allergies. Everyone at the tailgate should have adequate food and drink. This ensures that everyone can have fun and prepare for the game.

Our menu consists of a ton of meat each week. We always start with Kielbasa no matter what. Then we make a combination of chicken, pork, steak, ribs, shrimp or sausage (usually two of them, but sometimes three, depending on the quantity). It’s not a low-calorie tailgate, but Dr. Atkins would probably agree.

3.) Prepare for the weather

In New England, the weather changes dramatically during the football season. There will be games where it will be hot and sunny, there can be games where it will be cold and rainy, or there will be snow or freezing temperatures. You have to be prepared for all of this, but it’s inevitable that you’ll be stuck in at least a couple of bad-weather games every year.

So what to do? Go out and buy a tent. I recommend a pop-up that seats at least eight people. Sides are also possible, but they are always difficult to attach.

On these super cold days, I dress warmer for the tailgate than I do for the game. When I arrive at the stadium, I’m clapping and cheering, and if you’re in the lower bowl, you’ll be recovering from the wind too. Don’t start your day cold or soaking wet; that can make even the most excited fan miserable.

4.) Remember that you are there for the game, not the tailgate

You don’t have to be crazy people like my family who like to come in an hour before kick-off to see the team warming up, just get in your seats before kick-off. At the end of the day, you’re there for the game, so don’t spend too much time outside no matter how much fun you’re having.

You’re not in a bar or a nightclub, you’re in the stadium cheering on your team. As I mentioned, you can always save some food and drink for after the game, but make sure you do so responsibly.

5.) Do some rituals

My family and I have been riding together for almost 20 years so we have quite a few of these.

Before the game, everyone who rides with us has to throw and catch a soccer ball at least once. For us it’s a bit of superstition and we do it no matter what the weather is outside.

Saving one thing that can be done after each game can be a different matter. My family and I bring Cheez-It’s to every game, but we keep them until after the game. On the ride home, win or lose, we open the box and eat the Cheez-It’s. Nobody is allowed to eat them before the game, they have to be saved for the journey home. These are silly little traditions, but they’ve become a staple of our tailgates, and it’s fun. If you don’t have one of these yet, it’s never too late to start one.

For me, tailgating is a chance to spend time with my family and friends. My dad tells people that every Sunday he gets a few hours to spend with his wife and kids, his best friend and family, and what could be better than that? Ultimately, tailgating is about getting the chance to spend time with the people you love and then going inside and cheering on the team you love. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday (or Saturday, Monday night or Thursday night).

Next time you pull up in P2 before a game, stop by and say hello!