by Barbara Drake (MFA ’04)

The Florida Gators’ first football game of 2023 is less than a month away (Aug. 31, at Utah), which means fans are already gearing up for their favorite pre-game rituals. And none is more eagerly anticipated than the tailgate party.

This American football tradition dates to the first intercollegiate game, between Rutgers and Princeton Universities, held Nov. 6, 1869, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Spectators arrived in horse-drawn carriages and reportedly dined on chili, corn and freshly grilled sausages, washed down with beer and whiskey.

The long history of tailgating in the Southeastern Conference reaches its apogee each fall with the annual rivalry match between the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs, in Jacksonville, an event nicknamed the World’s Largest Cocktail Party.

It’s on their home turf, though, that UF fans truly shine as “tail-Gators.” For up to seven weekends each fall (this year it’s six), the university is awash with tents, smoking grills and a sea of orange-and-blue gear. With thousands of fans spread out across campus and in privately owned parking and tailgate spaces near Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, all of Gainesville transforms into a massive pre-game celebration that has to be experienced.

“My wife and I call it the social season,” says Gator Booster Jason West (BSBA ‘91), who, with nine fellow Alpha Tau Omegas, hosts up to 300 people in eight tents opposite The Social. “It’s incredible because we started this tailgate 30 years ago when we were in college, and now some of our own kids are attending UF.”

For those curious about the UF tailgating scene, here are some of its essential components, along with updated information from the University Athletic Association and UF/IFAS so you can plan your optimal tailgate party.

The Tailgate Homestead

Claiming your spot and setting up camp is step 1 of a successful tailgate. Fans arrive in RVs, sport utility vehicles and pickups, often decked out with banners, flags, Fightin’ Gator logos, signs taunting the rival team — you name it. Space near the stadium is at a premium, and experienced tail-Gators often get up at the crack of dawn to stake out their territory. Whatever you do, don’t leave the planning to chance.

The O’Dome parking lot is the epicenter of on-campus tailgating, along with Norman Hall, University Avenue and the Hume Hall parking lot. The UF Athletic Association recently updated its official tailgating map for fall 2023, with details on how to park and tailgate in your space. Members of Gator Boosters at the Scholarship Partner level and above are assigned premium parking spaces that are ideal for tailgating.

Fans can also tailgate — sans vehicles — on open spots throughout campus, including the shores of Lake Alice.

Credit: University of Florida

If you’d rather leave the logistics to others, you have several options. Current members of the UF Alumni Association enjoy access to members-only Gator Nation Tailgates. They’re held at Emerson Alumni Hal during every home football game and are located directly across from the stadium. Activities can include live music, face painting, special guest appearances, direct access to the Gator Walk and food and beverages (for purchase).

Your college or UF affiliate group likely offers alumni tailgates as well.

For a price, concierge services will take care of every aspect of your tailgate, from setup to catering to media packages so you can watch the game right from your homestead. These firms include Revel, billed as “the official Fan Experience Partner of the Florida Gators.” Their tents can be spotted at Gator Walk Village (north end of the stadium), at Gate 7 and on the Reitz Union Lawn.

Your Tailgate Spread

Tailgating at UF can be as intense and competitive as the game itself. Some fans are content with a six-pack of beer and a bucket of fried chicken, but committed tail-Gators come prepared with portable grills, coolers and a smorgasbord of food.

Perennial favorites include barbecued chicken, burgers, hot dogs, potato salad and finger foods like pulled pork sliders, nachos and dip.

Leaning into seasonal Florida foods is a good bet for fall tailgates, says Brad Buck, senior PR specialist for UF/IFAS Communications. Go for grouper, beef and fruit skewers in August; mango and guava in September; and sweet corn in October, he recommends.

Your Gator-proud tailgate spread can incorporate Tasti-Lee® tomatoes (October), Sugar Belle® citrus (a low-seed mandarin-orange hybrid, November–December) and Sweet Sensation® strawberries (December–March), all UF/IFAS cultivars developed specifically for Florida growing conditions.

The distinctive look and flavor of Florida Pearl® strawberries, aka pineberries — which have sweet white flesh, dark red seeds and a white to light-pink skin — have caused a stir on the social media and inspired chefs and bartenders to create new dishes and drinks.

To make your party memorable for the right reasons, be sure to check out this UF/IFAS advice on Tailgating Food Safety.

All Hail the Pitmasters

Barbecue is undoubtedly king at UF tailgates, and many seasoned pitmasters have been grilling at the same location for years, if not generations.

Credit: University of Florida

Popular meats include burgers, steaks (T-bone, porterhouse, sirloin), chicken legs, ribs, pork butt, pork sausages, kabobs and brisket. Florida 4-H offers extensive resources about choosing and preparing meats outdoors via grilling, smoking and slow cooking methods.

It’s even possible to roast a whole hog or a suckling pig in your tailgate spot, a spectacle that recalls ancient days when warriors feasted before battle.

For a deep dive into barbecuing and grilling, check out Meathead’s AmazingRibs, a site run by Gator alum and BBQ Hall of Famer Meathead (UF 1967–1972). He’s a fixture on the Rachael Ray Show and the Food Network and is the author of the bestselling cookbook “Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling.”

In his first column for Gator Nation News, Meathead busts six common meat myths and explains the science behind getting great results at your next tailgate cookout.

Orange-and-Blue Fashion

Gator fans aren’t shy when it comes to their gameday apparel.

You’ll see every iteration of orange and blue, from sporty to preppy to goofy to outrageous.

Whatever your style, stay on brand with UF’s colors. The strategy amplifies the Gators’ home-field advantage, as sportswriter John Duffley notes in Fanbuzz:

“Nothing is more intimidating to opposing teams than walking into Gainesville for the first time and seeing 88,000-plus Gators fans dressed as a sea of orange [and blue], doing the Gator Chomp,”

Credit: University of Florida

Football jerseys are popular with many fans, as are cheerleading uniforms for little ones. And, of course, a gameday “Beat” T-shirt from the UFAA” shows who you’re rooting for.

You’ll also see dogs at tailgates dressed in Gator gear, although only service dogs are permitted inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Just scroll Pinterest, and you’ll find plenty of boards devoted to UF gameday outfits. Shorts, dresses and rompers are popular for the hot, humid afternoons, and many students pair those choices with cowboy boots for a southern touch.

The Gator Spotshop has lots of official branded clothing to choose from, as does the Gainesville-based Ilene’s Gator Store.

Fun & Games

Lawn games are another beloved tailgate ritual, bringing group members together as they count down the hours to kickoff. Activities the whole family can enjoy are especially fun for those with children, as are competitive games that maximize gameday excitement.

Credit: University of Florida

Inclusive activities include jumbo-size versions of checkers, dominoes, Jenga and Connect 4, as well as cornhole and football toss.

The Pioneer Woman offers great DIY tailgate games you can create for pennies on the dollar. Standouts include on-the-go trivia popsicle sticks, soda bottle bowling, donut cornhole and game time bingo.

Rivalries

As you stroll around campus, catching up with old friends, you’ll also encounter fans of rival teams hosting their own tailgate parties. Schmoozing with these out-of-towners is integral to the gameday atmosphere.

Yes, it’s true. UF has a long history of bitter rivalries with its fellow SEC schools and with nonconference foes like Florida State. Still, there’s usually a harmonious environment in the parking lot, observed USA Today reporter Adam Dubbin in 2021.

“Of course, there is no shortage of taunting and friendly ribbing,” Dubbin added.

All in the spirit of good-hearted competition – just like the game itself.

2023 Florida Gators Home Games/Gator Nation Tailgate Schedule

Sept. 9 – McNeese
Sept. 16 – Tennessee
Sept. 23 – Charlotte
Oct. 7 – Vanderbilt (Homecoming)
Nov. 4 – Arkansas
Nov. 25 – Florida State