In South Louisiana, we have elevated tailgating from something you do to pass the time before kickoff to an event that can stand on its own. On certain Saturdays in the fall, there will be upwards of 200,000 people on LSU’s campus. Since Tiger Stadium only holds half that, you can get a pretty good idea of how many people are just there for the party.
But great tailgate parties don’t just happen, there is preparation involved. The true tailgater knows how to plan ahead to ensure that once they arrive at their destination, they won’t need to leave for any reason other than the game itself. To help you get the most out of your tailgate time, we have compiled ten essential items for your Baton Rouge tailgate.
1. Yeti Coolers – In South Louisiana, the heat and humidity are overbearing well into football season. This means your ice needs to stay frozen and your drinks need to stay ice cold. Yeti Cooler’s design, durability, and insulation set them apart from other coolers on the market, keeping your ice frozen until well after the game has ended.
2. Yeti Ramblers – When it comes to keeping your drinks cold, the right cup is every bit as important as the right cooler. If you’re mixing drinks, you don’t want a completely watered-down version of your favorite cocktail thirty minutes after you pour it. This makes the Yeti Rambler perfect for tailgating.
3. Yeti Colster – If your preferred beverage comes in a can, the Yeti Colster is the most effective way to keep it cold. The Colster is like the koozie’s stronger, more reliable cousin.
4. Portable Grill – Once you have handled what everyone is drinking, next up is the food and how to cook it. From Holland Grills’ Companion to the Big Green Egg’s Mini or Minimax, you need a grill that can feed your entire party, then be packed away for the ride home.
5. Fuel for the grill – Whether you opt for a propane or charcoal grill, you need to make sure you bring enough fuel to keep that grill going all day and into the night. You should always have a spare propane tank, or enough charcoal for two rounds of grilling.
6. Umbrella – Since Louisiana weather can be brutal, you will want some shade to protect you from the sun, or from any rain that may be in the forecast. Having a large patio umbrella is great for this purpose, and has the added benefit of being portable as well as not only does it easily collapse, but it takes up minimal space in your vehicle. We offer umbrellas, specifically for tailgating, in purple and gold.
7. Chairs – Portable and durable are the two most important things to look for in your tailgating chairs. But you also want to make sure comfort is factored in as well. This is where folding Adirondack chairs from Breezesta really make a difference. They are built to last in any environment; and since they are collapsible, they travel easily to and from campus.
8. Music – Whether you plug your phone into a Bluetooth speaker, have a stereo system that is built in to an ice chest, or you drag out an old boom box, a tailgate party isn’t a tailgate party without music. Two of the more popular items that we offer are called Soundcast and Luna by Treasure Garden. They are Bluetooth compatible, come with a built-in light, and clamp right on to your tailgate umbrella.
9. Games – When it comes to tailgating games, they need to be portable, family friendly, and of course, fun. Mashball meets all these criteria, which is why we are proud to carry it at Casual Creations.
10. Lighting – While you’ll probably head to the stadium before the sun goes down, if you want to keep the party going after the game, we recommend having some LED umbrella string lights for when you return. Postgame tailgating is a great way to pass the time while traffic clears out.
Once you have these essential items ready to go, all that is left is a trip to the grocery store to stock up on food and drinks, then you are ready for game day. If you have any questions about tailgating items, please call our team at Casual Creations and we will be happy to help answer them.
