Tailgating for Virginia Tech football games has become first class in the last decade as Frank Beamer has developed the program to national prominence, and the fan following with it. The sales of Virginia Tech apparel has expanded as Virginia Tech sports have grown, and Saturdays (and occassionally Thursdays or other days of the week) in Blacksburg are full of fans wearing a Virginia Tech sweatshirt, Virginia Tech t-shirt, or Virginia Tech jersey. Virginia Tech football tickets are in high demand.

Appropriate tailgating for Hokie games takes proper equipment and methods. First of all, you need your tailgating spot. Location is key. This is often about to being or knowing a Hokie Club member with good ranking that has a great parking spot. The Hokie Club utilizes a whole variety of parking lots on campus close (and some not very close) to Lane Stadium to assign tailgate spots, and you want to ensure you get a the best you can get. Buy a Virginia Tech football parking pass from a website site like eBay if necessary.

Next, make sure you are dressed for the occasion. A lot depends on the weather, but an authentic Virginia Tech jersey (either maroon or white) works fine. If it’s a crisp fall day, get your favorite Virginia Tech sweatshirt. If it’s early in the season and warm, grab a Virginia Tech t-shirt, possibly a long sleeve t-shirt if you want to stay cool. A fleece, pullover, shell, or sleek Virginia Tech golf polo are also options. I always try to wear maroon – we are a maroon school. Orange, white, and other colors dilute the stadium effect.

Hokie tailgates are primarily about food and beverage, so this should be top priority. I like getting there early so that the grill can be set up and given enough time to smoke some sort of meat for hours, maybe ribs, Boston butt, or marinated whole chickens. But grilling in general should be the focus of your tailgate. Burgers, sausages, chicken, beef, or fish can all make great tailgate fare. Hokie country is bar-b-que country, so offer a sauce that enhances what you are grilling and will ensure your tailgate guest fulfilled. Complement your meat with whatever sides and extras you or your tailgate partners can bring.

Food is a priority, but drinks are the backbone of your tailgate. Personally, I equate Virginia Tech tailgating with ‘brown water’, aka bourbon. There’s nothing like a prime Kentucky bourbon or Tennessee whisky to get you ready for the game. However, this is my thing, and you need to have a variety of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, to satisfy your guest (or have them BYOB).

Other important aspects of your tailgate: How are people going to find your spot? Get a colorful Virginia Tech Flag , customize it some and fly it high. Also, accessorize your Hokie tailgate out with Virginia Tech chairs, coolers, and throws. Tailgaters should be drinking out of Hokie glasses and mugs too.

While the Hokie game is obviously the most important game on that Saturday, there will be lots of other great college games on. Attendees at your tailgate are going to want to watch other games (or they’ll wander somewhere else). Do what the best tailgaters do and get a portable satellite dish you hook up to a receiver and TVs you can quickly move to set up in the morning. A blow up Virginia Tech couch right in front is also a nice
touch.

To me, the sign of a perfect tailgate is one that everyone wants to return to after the game.

Getting ready for gameday in Blacksburg? Have a Hokie fan that needs a gift? You can find great gear like a Virginia Tech Sweatshirt or other Virginia Tech Apparel at VirginiaTechFan.com, the Hokie Sports Blog and Fan Store.

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