Tailgating – A Saturday Tradition in the South (4/5)

Saturdays in the fall mean college football. And a big part of the college football experience, at least in the South, is tailgating – the time-honored tradition of showing up early (sometimes days in advance) to eat and drink before cheering your team on to victory. There is no denying that most of the country loves a good tailgate, but when it comes to this fall ritual, although every school has its own way of doing things, the South is hard to beat. Just do a quick search to find the “best” college football tailgates in the country, and you will find that Southern schools make up more than half of the list in just about every ranking.

Those from places other than the Southeastern United States often have a hard time understanding that in the South, the tailgate is almost as important as the game itself. It does not matter if you are in The Grove watching an Ole Miss game, in the plains of Alabama watching the Auburn Tigers, cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs between the hedges in Athens or standing in the shadows of the Atlanta cityscape rooting for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – tailgating is a tried and true southern tradition. But why? What is it about tailgating in the South that makes it such a significant and cherished part of college football culture?

It all starts with a passionate fan base, and Southern college football fans are known for their unparalleled passion. This intensity can be attributed to a combination of historical, cultural and regional factors. After all, college football in the South is not just a sport; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Some even go so far as to say it is a religion. The fact is, college football game bring people together across all walks of life, regardless of their backgrounds and provide opportunities for fans to unite and become part of a larger community. And tailgating is a manifestation of this cultural importance, serving as a way for people to celebrate their shared identity and regional pride. And they do so with an unwavering dedication and passion for their teams.

There is also that little thing known as “tradition.” Many of the South’s college football programs have a rich history dating back over a century, including intense and storied rivalries and fan rituals. Tailgating traditions have evolved over time and are deeply ingrained in the culture of these schools. Families and alumni often pass down tailgating traditions and recipes through generations. And tailgating provides a space for fans of rival teams to engage in friendly banter and competition before the game, adding to the overall excitement and anticipation. In addition, Southern college football games are known for their vibrant pageantry, including marching bands, cheerleaders and elaborate halftime shows. Tailgating is an opportunity for fans to immerse themselves in this spirited atmosphere and contributes to the overall game-day experience.

Some also believe that it stems from good ol’ Southern hospitality. Tailgating in the South is not just about football, it’s an opportunity for people to come together, share food and socialize with friends and strangers alike. The South is known for its warm and welcoming hospitality and Southerners often take pride in their ability to create a friendly and inviting atmosphere for all. In addition, the generally mild climate in the South allows for comfortable outdoor gatherings throughout the football season. This encourages fans to come early and stay late, making tailgating a day-long event rather than just a pre-game activity.

Let us not forget about two of the most important cornerstones of any tailgate – food and decor! Southern cuisine is renowned for its delicious and distinctive flavors. Tailgating menus in the South often feature regional specialties like barbecue, fried chicken and gumbo, as well as pimento cheese and tea sandwiches, dips, roasts, deviled eggs, layer cakes and much more! These culinary delights help elevate the overall tailgating experience. Not to mention the fine china, starched tablecloths, custom bunting in team colors, silver serving pieces, chandeliers, fresh floral arrangements and other decorative items used to create a unique tailgating experience unlike any other.

But make no mistake, you do not need to be from the South to enjoy a good old fashioned Southern tailgate. If you do not have a team to root for, just about any Southerner will be happy to loan you one of theirs for the day! So grab your shakers, your appetite and your sense of fun and come on out and enjoy this age-old southern tradition.

Below are some of the top tailgating destinations within a few hours drive from Atlanta.

Athens, Georgia – Home of the University of Georgia Bulldogs, this ordinarily sleepy college town, explodes on autumn Saturdays when fans focus their attention on the Bulldogs and their latest run toward an SEC title. Southern style is on full display at these tailgates where some of the most dedicated fans in the conference gather to cheer on their beloved UGA. Athens provides several interesting places to spend Saturday mornings and early afternoons before game time, including Myers Quad, North Campus and one of the more unusual tailgating locales in the nation, Oconee Hill Cemetery – located on land actually owned by the university. But remember, in order to keep the peace on campus, UGA does not allow tailgates to be set up before 7 a.m. on Saturdays.

Auburn, Alabama – Home to the Auburn University Tigers, Auburn is known as “The Loveliest Village on the Plains.” Tailgating officially begins at 4 p.m. on the Friday before a Saturday kickoff, giving fans plenty of time to set up and party before the game. Aside from the game itself, one of the most anticipated events of the weekend is the Tiger Walk, a pregame tradition that began in the 1960s. Two hours before the game, the team walks from the athletics complex down Donahue Drive to Jordan-Hare Stadium with thousands of fans lining the street to cheer them on. And when Auburn wins, fans fill the streets at Toomer’s corner to roll toilet paper over the oak trees that sit near the entrance gates.

Clemson, South Carolina – Tucked away near Lake Hartwell in the northwest tip of South Carolina, Clemson University is a hotbed for college football talent and is one of the liveliest tailgating spots in the country. Like Auburn, Clemson does its own rendition of the Tiger Walk, where the team walks from the parking lot into Memorial Stadium as thousands of fans wait alongside, ready to greet them. The passion and excitement can be felt around campus among tailgaters on game days, so be prepared to come early and stay late. If you are not a member of Clemson’s IPTAY fund-raising organization, you can still find parking as most downtown churches and businesses sell parking spots on game day.

Atlanta, Georgia – Tailgating at Georgia Tech is intense and takes place in virtually any grassy spot you can find. The campus is located right in the heart of Atlanta allowing for a large variety of tailgating options both on campus and off campus. On campus you’ll find tents splayed all over the grassy commons with fans dressed in both dresses and ties as well as more casual attire such as t-shirts. After filling up on some delicious food at the tailgate head over to Yellow Jacket Alley for a chance to get up close and personal with the team, as well as the school’s famous mascot the Ramblin’ Wreck. Here you will get a chance to join in with the crowd as they cheer on the Yellow Jackets to victory.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama – The University of Alabama has won numerous national championships and with no professional football team in the state, the Crimson Tide have the allegiance of hundreds of thousands of fans across the state and region. Before kickoff, those fans and others who are there for tailgating pack the area on campus known as The Quad, as well as an area near the stadium called the Walk of Champions to create one of the most iconic game day atmospheres in college football. Note that free Quad tailgating is located on the west side of the Quad, reservations are not required but spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Knoxville, Tennessee – Home to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers fans their choice of tailgating on land or water. Circle Park and the adjacent Smokey Lawn, just a few hundred feet from Neyland Stadium, is where many Volunteer fans convene to eat and drink. But some of the fun happens on the Tennessee River, where the floating tailgate party known as the Vol Navy docks takes place right outside the stadium. Another popular tradition is the Vol Walk, where fans greet the team as they exit the bus and walk down Peyton Manning Pass and Phillip Fulmer Way, past the statue of General Robert Neyland and into the stadium.

Columbia, South Carolina – The Folks in Columbia know how to throw a party and for the University of South Carolina fans, football Saturdays are more than simply cooking out in a parking lot. The whole town gets involved, and the plethora of eateries and gathering places only adds to the excitement. The heart of USC’s tailgating scene is often centered around Gamecock Village, which is located near Williams-Brice Stadium. Nearby is Gamecock Park, located on the former Farmer’s Market site. It includes shaded tent zones, cable TV hookups, electrical outlets  and permanent restrooms. The central open space, called the Garnet Way, is a grassy promenade lined with scarlet oaks and provides a route for the marching band, cheerleaders, and football team to parade through the venue on the way to the stadium.