How to Organize a Sizzle King Tailgate Burger Party
Burgers are a delicious, convenient and economical way to feed a crowd. So, when you are gathering for the big game at home, or tailgating, Sizzle King has a variety of premium blended frozen burger flavors that are easy to prepare anytime, and anywhere burger fans gather.
Tailgating parties are as much an American Fall tradition, as enjoying great tasting burgers with friends and family. But did you know the history of tailgate parties in America actually goes back to the 1860’s? We’ll provide some fun historical facts about tailgating and some ‘how-to’ tips to help you organize a memorable and fun meal for your family and friends.
When Was the First Tailgate Party in America?
The classic tailgate party is defined by a few important elements; family and friends gather, and cheer for a sporting outcome while sharing food. Sounds pretty simple right? But did you know that most historians agree that the first official tailgating party was actually cheering on soldiers in the Civil War? Imagine trying to prepare food and grill meat, while there are bullets whizzing through the air.
During the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861, Union supporters from Washington D.C. arrived in Prince William County, Virginia (about 25 miles south-west of Washington). This was the first major battle of the American Civil War, and the Union forces positioned themselves as the Confederate Army arrived by railroad trains.
Early in the war, both sides were confident that they would win, with about 18,000 soldiers marching for each side. So confident was the Union (North) that they would quickly defeat the Confederate army, that civilians gathered close to the First Battle of Bull Run, and prepared food to watch the action. While most historians agree that war is not a spectator sport, they concur that this was the first evidence of a social event with food and gathering to watch the outcome of a competitive event.
The first tailgate party ever was on the back of horse drawn wagons, as debutantes and wealthy families gathered to watch the start of the American Civil War, while shouting “Go Big Blue!”
The first tailgate party for a sporting even, occurred in 1869 at College Field in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The game was between Rutgers and Princeton, and the crowds were so enormous that spectators that could not fit into the field area parked outside and entertained family and friends with food and conversation. Children were paid a small amount to run back and forth from the field to the ‘tailgate’ area, to bring back updates about the game and the score.
In the late 1940’s after World War II, Americans were swept up in our first automotive revolution, where cars and trucks became accessible cost-wise to the average American family. The post war economic boom meant families had more money for sporting events and recreation, and the practice of tailgating turned into its own cultural movement within the United States. Everyone drove a station wagon it seemed, and that provided plenty of room and a tailgate to grill on and share some amazing food.
In the 1980’s through the 1990’s tailgating got prestigious and more convenient. Gas grills became smaller and more portable, and beverage coolers sprouted wheels. The set up for a true tailgate party in the 1980’s involved a canopy or sun shade, foldable camping chairs, collapsible tables for a buffet spread of delicious food, and even flags and decorations. In fact, most sporting events encouraged the practice by providing contests and prizes for the “best tailgate site” with the most team spirit. Tailgating has evolved so much to include satellite television and big screens in the parking lot, that some fans never step foot in the stadium!
Whenever there is a competitive football or sporting event, Americans adopted the tradition of the tailgate party for a variety of reasons. To socialize before the game with friends and family who may be sitting in different locations close to the field, and to economize with home brought food and beverages they could enjoy together in the parking lot, before the big game.
If you have attended a tailgate party (or two) we’re pretty sure you know how much fun it can be. But if you have never hosted or organized one for your family and friends, we share some helpful tips from food selection to equipment, packing and other essentials.
Packing Your Comfortable Tailgate Party Gear
Whether you plan to go into the stadium to watch the game, or you were not lucky enough to get tickets for the event and plan to stay in the parking lot to celebrate with other fans, comfort means bringing the right things you’ll need for your tailgate party.
Space is at a premium when tailgating, because you may have access to only one parking spot. If you own a truck, there is plenty of room in the back to pack all your tailgating essentials. But for serious game fans who drive a car, expect to see small trailers being towed behind the vehicle, with all the essentials. One of the benefits of bringing a small trailer, is that you can access bus parking spots (given the length of your vehicle and trailer), which gives you more space.
Talk about strategy! And once unpacked, your trailer can become a great place to put your camping chairs, or even an inflatable mattress and some blankets so that you can stretch out and watch the game. Here are some of the essential gear you will need to bring with you:
· Sunshade or canopy to protect from sun and rain.
· A large foldable table for grilling and to serve food.
· Foldable camping chairs or lounges.
· Blankets (depending on the weather).
· Gas grill. Charcoal grills may be required if the facility does not permit gas appliances.
· Cooking utensils.
· A cooler for cold food and a separate one for beverages and ice.
· Disposable (recyclable) paper plates, cups and utensils.
· Condiments (ketchup, BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, onions). Save time by cutting up your fresh toppings at home and placing them in sealable plastic bags or containers.
· Pre-sliced cheese (remember to pack it on ice to prevent melting).
· Garbage bags. Create one for recyclables and one for non-recyclable trash.
One of the big challenges when it comes to selecting food for your tailgate party, is the lack of adequate refrigeration. Some people use coolers that plug directly into their vehicles, that can act as a freezer or refrigerator for perishable food items. But most people use the standard ice cooler, which means you have to be selective about the menu you plan for your tailgating party.
Sizzle King burgers are crowd pleasers, and our frozen burgers are perfect for any outdoor event or tailgating party. Our bags are easy to pack in the cooler and have a resealable top to lock in freshness. Each ¼ pound burger is packed with flavor, and we have five great flavors to choose from, so that you can bring a variety of premium blended burgers for game day, including:
· Classic Beef Patties
· Sweet Onion (with fresh Vidalia onions)
· Bacon and Cheddar
· Spicy Jalapeño
· Turkey Patties
You can choose classic hamburger buns or go for crusty rolls and other types of bread like ciabatta, onion rolls, Hawaiian or other seasoned breads. When it comes to side-dishes, avoid any kind of salad that has a mayonnaise base. Foods served at a tailgating party are going to be sitting at room temperature, and you want to avoid foods with raw egg or seafood (i.e., uncooked shrimp) for food safety.
Some tailgate party safe side dishes are:
· Corn on the cob (it goes right on the grill).
· Fresh fruit.
· Lettuce based salads (keep the dressings in the cooler).
· Pasta based salads with vinaigrette dressings.
· Baked potatoes.
· Rice with vegetables.
Make it a bucket list goal to host a tailgating party this Fall and choose Sizzle King premium blended burgers to make your event a memorable one. And don’t forget your lucky game-day shirt, hat and plenty of swag to show your team spirit!