Tailgating Insight Appreciated

[jimvols]

So my buddies and I (all college age) have been going to UT football games together for a couple of years now. However, this season we are looking to enter the realm of tailgating. In the past our pregame activities usually consisted of hanging out on the strip, meeting someone we knew on campus/in the Fort or hanging out at the tailgate of some person we knew. Now we want to try our hand at holding our own tailgate. We have a pretty good idea of stuff we want to bring: beer, food, music, beer, grill, cornhole, beer...but we could use a little insight into the tailgating locations in and around campus. We are not afraid of a long walk either, so let us know of any good places that might not be ideally close to campus. Also we would like to avoid places where cars are just crammed into lawns and are double and triple parked by other fans. So Volnation, where do you like to tailgate? What are the prices to park at these various locations? What are some important things to keep in mind? Have you ever been hassled by any type of authority? What items do you typically bring to your tailgate? How early to you arrive before kickoff in order to get your favorite locations? Please include any info I may have overlooked. Many thanks.

And remember, only 51 days until football time in Tennessee! Go Vols! :rock:

 

[rowsdower]

Bring beer

 

[jeblevins]

1) Tailgate
2) Beer

Not necessarily in that order

 

[SaluteToTheHill]

Just dont forget the beer, refer to my avatar!

 

[RockyTop1194]

Jack Daniels

 

[cnotevol]

A Table and a cover over sorts to protect from the sun and the weather. Food, drinks, and trash bags.

 

[volmanbill]

Check out this thread for some good info:

http://www.volnation.com/forum/pub/3226-tailgating-source.html?highlight=tailgating

 

[jeblevins]

Seriously, it's whatever you want it to be. Some people bring tents, flat screen TVs, etc. and some just sit in the back of their truck with the radio on. When I was there, our tradition was to go by Smokin Joes on Papermill and get some victory cigars, get to campus around 8-9 AM and throw football, Frisbee, etc and drink until time to eat. Then we'd grill on a little hibachi type grill and walk over to the liquor store by O'Charley's on the way to the game to by pints to sneak in.

 

[VolFanNLexington]

Good Tailgating Locations in Knoxville are certainly minimal, that is the #1 thing that we lack is good tailgating options. Ive traveled all around the SEC and we are def. near the bottom half as far as good tailgating locations. So good luck finding a good spot, but as long as you bring plenty of food and beer, life will be good. Especially when that ball is kicked off and you hear, "It's Football Time in Tennessee!!!!"

 

[jeblevins]

Good Tailgating Locations in Knoxville are certainly minimal, that is the #1 thing that we lack is good tailgating options. Ive traveled all around the SEC and we are def. near the bottom half as far as good tailgating locations. So good luck finding a good spot, but as long as you bring plenty of food and beer, life will be good. Especially when that ball is kicked off and you hear, "It's Football Time in Tennessee!!!!"

Yeah, I think that the area that we used to tailgate is now a parking deck! :blink:

 

[Gator H8R]

I think we should hold a VolNation tailgate for a select game this coming season. Everyone bring whatever they would like and stuff to compliment the tailgate. Tents, grills, cornhole, tvs, etc. That would be awesome and id be down for it!!!

 

[VolsRule]

Best tailgating locations in the SEC: South Carolina, Florida

Worst tailgating locations in the SEC: Tennessee, Auburn

At auburn, you have to get on campus at 4PM on Friday to reserve a spot

 

[jeblevins]

SC may be one of the best because it's on the state fairgrounds and has tons of room, but come on....it's on the state fairgrounds! Nothing to see but asphalt and stadium.

 

[VolFanNLexington]

I personally like Alabama and Ole Miss. South Carolina has a ton of room, but it is kinda lame, we tailgated in a Lumber Yard near the stadium. Im heading down to LSU this year, so I have no idea what to expect.

 

[MemphisVol1485]

Best tailgating locations in the SEC: South Carolina, Florida

Worst tailgating locations in the SEC: Tennessee, Auburn

At auburn, you have to get on campus at 4PM on Friday to reserve a spot

Apparently you have never been to Ole Miss. As much as I dislike them, the Grove is awesome.

 

[checkerboards09]

Bring beer

says the jort wearing drunk

 

[crusse10]

Best tailgating locations in the SEC: South Carolina, Florida

Worst tailgating locations in the SEC: Tennessee, Auburn

At auburn, you have to get on campus at 4PM on Friday to reserve a spot

Reminds me of Ole Miss

 

[rowsdower]

says the jort wearing drunk

You would have it some other way?

 

[Daddy Gee]

can you "tailgate" on Volunteer Ave. anymore? I remember RV's used to park on Volunteer on Friday afternoons ...

 

[AppStVol]

Ole Miss and LSU(except after dark) are two of my favorite setups for tailgating. SC is like going to an NFL game or something they have lots of room for tailgating, but the stadium and its surroundings have no character.

 

[FormerVolfan]

Dont go to bar knoxville

 

[MemphisVol1485]

Even though it is not an SEC school, Southern Miss has a fun tailgate and tons of good looking women. It is not a big stadium by any means but it is a cool little place.

 

[Ohiovol09]

You're going to have a miserable tailgate without whiskey...

 

[utmba93]

Dont go to bar knoxville

If you ignore this advice and do go, when you see a 6'4" 300+ beast of a football player with 16 or so of his best friends, try to resist any urge you might have to hit him in the back of the head.

This applies even if you feel like he nudges you with his body.

 

[justingroves]

Set up beside McClung Museum.