This past November I embarked on my second annual tailgate for the popular Florida–Georgia football game in Jacksonville, Florida. While I’m a Florida State fan, when I come to this specific game, I root for Georgia, as Florida State and Florida are rivals. This year I didn’t go to the actual game, as tickets were pricier than last year when I went. But anyone who knows anything about Florida–Georgia knows it’s all about the tailgating before the game.

Fields of tents and trucks dot the landscape surrounding the stadium. Smoke from barbecues and grills floats into the air, and music and laughter are always present. A true tailgate in a good spot at Florida–Georgia requires an early-morning start (think 7 a.m.). Prepping food and drinks the night before is also essential; we made pigs in a blanket, buffalo chicken dip, cookies, elote corn dip and Jell-O shots. It’s sort of like a potluck, as everyone brings their own drinks and some food. Someone even carried in a one-pound box of popcorn chicken!

The one downside of tailgating is the increased fees for parking. It’s a whopping $100 dollars a car; but if you have a large enough group, splitting it amongst everyone means you get to enjoy a full day of fun for less than $10 a person.

We had several tents, tables and even a TV with a generator to stream the game. I had more than my fill of tasty food, and the beautiful weather was ideal for sipping an ice-cold beer. Not going to the game also meant it was easier to leave the area after, as well as chose to depart before the stadium emptied, avoiding traffic.

— Aoife O’Riordan, associate editor