First Tailgater Advice

[Ole Miss Texan]

Im excited to have my hands on a Maroon Lot parking pass to the games this year. Would LOVE some advice on things that have worked well for you guys and some pitfalls to stay away from.

Question - do they check game tickets if you're in the car with a parking pass? I'm thinking of bringing people to tailgate even if they don't have game tickets. I know walk ups need a ticket but do cars with parking tags get stopped?

Anybody know what time the maroon lot starts filling up? How early do I need to get there? This is the corner lot at Fannin and 610.

I've got a pickup and will be getting a tonneau cover installed to store my items. Have the Texans 10x10 popup tent and a folding table already. Will be buying folding chairs.

Cheers!

[Vinnie]

I think with any lot earlier is always better. Get there as soon as you can. Smoked meats are your friend. I know it sounds cool to grill in the parking lot, but it really sucks to be standing over a hot grill in September. Smoke a pork butt, brisket or ribs the night before if you have the means. Also, we always wait a little while after the game to let traffic clear out before taking off. That will save a lot of frustration. Have fun!

[hobie]

If your friends do not have game tickets, they will have to have tailgate tickets once the game starts, as the ambassadors go around and check to make sure you have them, if not, they might ask them to leave, and if they are with you, that means they have to wait outside of the gate. They do sell them at the gate, but not until 1 hour after the gate opens, so if they do not have them, before the game starts, I would send them over to the gate to buy them. Now I am not 100% sure if they sell them at the gate, but I do recall they did.

[Vinnie]

Now that Hobie mentions it, if all you have is the pass and not game tickets for yourself you'll need to get a tailgate pass as well. Another option you might try is to hit the season ticket holders up here to get some for you if they haven't used them already and they are still available. They tend to sell out very quickly on popular games. For instance I expect them to be gone almost instantly for the Packers and Ravens games this year. They are $10 each and each PSL holder can get 10.

[TxDavid]

You're off to a good start. You've got shelter, table, chairs - add a cooler and a grill and you're set. Then grab your buddies and head to the game extra early to setup. They'll need a ticket or a tailgate pass ($10) to stay there during the game. Tell them to get a ticket - they'll want to go in.

My advice - keep it simple.

1. Think of foods that require minimal prep work so you don't spend all your time cooking. Do any pre-prep the night before (slicing onions, making hamburger patties, etc.

2. Use disposable bags/containers so you can toss them. You don't want a pile of dishes when you get home. Bring trash bags to make clean up afterwards easier.

3. Don't try to be the biggest & the best. There's plenty out there, the idea is to have fun. Our group doesn't have meetings or dues, or cover charges - it's like a big pot luck of extreme proportion - but it works. Find out what works for you and do that.

4. Make a tailgate box so you don't have to hunt down your stuff the night before the game. Don't share with your current kitchen goods - you'll forget something different every week if you do.

5. Bring Entertainment. A football, bean bags, washers, etc. Bring a radio and plug an ipod with a pre-made playlist so you don't have to mess with it. If there are kids, bring something for them.

6. Call your friends from the parking lot & rub it in that they're not there.

Don't sweat the small stuff & Don't forget to have fun!

[texancpa]

Originally Posted by Ole Miss Texan

Im excited to have my hands on a Maroon Lot parking pass to the games this year. Would LOVE some advice on things that have worked well for you guys and some pitfalls to stay away from.

Question - do they check game tickets if you're in the car with a parking pass? I'm thinking of bringing people to tailgate even if they don't have game tickets. I know walk ups need a ticket but do cars with parking tags get stopped?

Anybody know what time the maroon lot starts filling up? How early do I need to get there? This is the corner lot at Fannin and 610.

I've got a pickup and will be getting a tonneau cover installed to store my items. Have the Texans 10x10 popup tent and a folding table already. Will be buying folding chairs.

Cheers!

I'm in the Maroon Lot, too! You can drive into the lot with as many people as you can fit inside your car but if your friends aren't going in the game, they will need tailgating tickets. They don't start checking for tailgating tickets until the game starts.

I usually get to the gate at 8am, the lot starts the fill up in a hurry. Its quicker if you enter the Maroon Lot from the 610 feeder road instead of from Fannin. I use that entrance and I usually get my choice of spaces on the first row.

[Hagar]

I'm not sure where the Maroon lot is but figure out a way to the stadium that doesn't include Loop 610. It can be a real nightmare.

If you want to get to the stadium before the lots open, the lines can get pretty long. Also, and needless to say, the better the Texans are doing or the more special the game (Monday Night Football) the longer the line will be. Either get there real early or get there about 30 minutes after the gates open ~ most of the line will clear out.

Just remember, the more you want to do, the more you have to do so keep it simple. Each year my cousin and I cook gumbo for our crew. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy doing it, but its a lot of work and a lot of cleanup.