Tailgating for Virginia Tech football games has become big time in the last decade as Frank Beamer has established the program to the top of the ranks, and the fan following with it. The sales of Virginia Tech apparel has gotten bigger as Virginia Tech sports have grown, and Saturdays (and periodically 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 valuable items.

The right tailgating for Hokie games takes proper gear and methods. To start, you need your tailgating spot. Parking spot is key. This is all about to being or knowing a Hokie Club member with good ranking that has a good parking spot. The Hokie Club utilizes a whole variety of parking lots on campus close (and some actually pretty far) to Lane Stadium to assign tailgate spots, and you want to make sure you get a good one. Buy a Virginia Tech football parking pass from online store site like eBay if necessary.

Next, make sure you are decked out for the occasion. It all 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 best Virginia Tech sweatshirt. If it’s early in the season and warm, grab a Virginia Tech t-shirt, make it a long sleeve t-shirt if you want to stay cool. A fleece, pullover, shell, or sleek Virginia Tech golf polo are also possibilities. I always try to wear maroon – VT is a maroon school. Orange, white, and other colors dilute the stadium effect.

Hokie tailgates are all about food and drinks, so this should be primary focus. I like getting there early so that the grill can be set up and given ample time to smoke a variety of meat for hours, maybe ribs, Boston butt, or marinated whole chickens. But grilling in general should be the centerpiece of your tailgate. Burgers, sausages, chicken, beef, or fish can all make great tailgate fare. Hokie country is bar-b-que country, so pick a sauce that enhances what you are grilling and will make your tailgate guest fulfilled. Complement your grilled meat with whatever sides and snacks you or your Hokie friends can bring.

Food is a priority, but the drinks are the backbone of your tailgate. Personally, I equate football tailgating with ‘brown water’, aka bourbon. There’s nothing like a smooth 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 beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, to satisfy your guest (or have them bring their own).

Other important aspects of your tailgate: How are people going to locate your spot? Get a tall Virginia Tech Flag , customize it some and fly it high. Also, deck your Hokie tailgate out with Virginia Tech chairs, coolers, and blankets. Everyone should be drinking out of Hokie cups and mugs too.

While the Hokie football game is obviously the most important game of the day, there will be lots of other great college games on. Fans at your tailgate are going to want to watch other games (or they’ll go somewhere else). Do what many popular 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 sofa right in front is also a nice
touch.

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

Getting prepared for gameday in Blacksburg? Have a Virginia Tech 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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