The pre-gaming tradition that is tailgating is an experience in itself. With football season in full swing, keep these tips in mind to ensure your next tailgate goes smoothly.

Pack the night before:

Pack jumper cables and extra gas for your generator and clean your grill. Make sure your phone is charged and compile a playlist.

Essentials checklist:

Bug spray, sunscreen, paper towels, paper plates, cooking thermometer, lighter, trash bags, bottle openers, oven mitts, games, spatulas, ice and extra containers for leftovers are prone to be forgotten.  

Be cognizant of the weather:

Don’t undervalue an umbrella or raincoat. If it’s pushing 90 degrees, don’t cook chili.

Know the lay of the land:

Discern where you want to park your car prior to arrival. Spots are competitive. Be knowledgeable of your location so you can direct your guests to your area with ease. Give yourself enough time before the game — at least three or four hours prior to kickoff.

Cook in advance:

Plan your menu and prepare virtually everything beforehand. Slice any toppings you’ll have. Marinate your meats in a Ziploc bag and freeze them prior to the game; this avoids the meat turning in light of sweltering weather.

Personal appetizers:

Food is an integral part of tailgating. Try to make your appetizers as portable as possible; it can avoid a multitude of people hovering over a bowl of salsa. Don’t formulate a menu that solely relies on a grill. Consider tried-and-true fare that can be served on the fly. Chips, cookies and vegetables can save you both money and time. As an added bonus, you won’t have to worry about having a sufficient supply of utensils.

Condiments:

Spice up your spread with ketchup, mustard, relish, etc. to avoid complaints. A wholesome variety will allow your guests to personalize their food as they see fit.

Bring chairs:

Predictably, there will be one person sitting on the cooler, blocking the beverages.

Coolers:

Place beverages and perishables in separate coolers. Label the coolers to avoid them being constantly opened and closed. Plastic bags save space. Moreover, use smaller containers in lieu of one large one so the perishables remain at an adequate temperature.

Ice:

One is more likely to run out of ice than to have it in excess. While it should go without mentioning, warm drinks melt ice at a quicker rate than cold drinks. Freeze everything you can beforehand so the ice has less work to do.

Bake a brick:

Keep your food piping hot by wrapping a few bricks in aluminum foil and baking them for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Be mindful of the turf around you:

Charcoals emit heat for a generous amount of time; it’s important that you dispose of them properly. Line a sheet of aluminum foil in your grill for easy disposal. When it comes time to wrap up your tailgate, be sure to throw away trash and use the recycling bins in the vicinity. It’s good practice to bring extra trash bags and keep them off of the ground to avoid insects. In essence, be civil. It’s in everyone’s best interest to clean up after yourself and no one wants to clean up bottles scattered everywhere.

Adhere to NC State’s tailgating policies:

According to NC State Athletics’ football fan guide, beer and wine are the only alcoholic beverages that may be consumed in the NC State-controlled parking lot. Only set up a tent if it is flame-retardant and away from an open flame. Confine the tents to your area and be sure that it doesn’t interfere with parking spots or travel lanes. Vehicles parked in undesignated areas will be towed.

Avoid traffic:

Depending on your preference, you can extend your tailgating festivities postgame to allow the traffic to fizzle out. Plus, it’s a great way to celebrate a victory or overlook a loss.