It’s finally football season, and that means it’s time for tailgating. Grilling out with friends and family is the perfect way to spend an afternoon, at least in our opinion.
At One Stop Rental in Cincinnati, Ohio, we have the grills, tents, chairs and everything else you need for a successful tailgate. To get the most out of your experience, keep these tips in mind.
Arrive Early
For a proper tailgate, you’ll need plenty of time to get everything done, so arriving an hour before the game isn’t going to cut it. Aim to get to your tailgating spot about four hours before the game begins. This will give you enough time to set up, cook, play games and clean up without feeling rushed. Getting to your spot early also helps you avoid the influx of traffic that happens closer to the start of the game.
Find the Perfect Spot
Sometimes you have to just take what you can get when it comes to finding a parking spot for a tailgate. But if you can, try picking a spot in a prime location. Try to park in or next to a grassy area, as this will give you extra space and one less car next to you. Look for trees to provide some shade, or enough space to set up a tent. At One Stop Rental, we offer tent rentals to the Cincinnati, West Chester and Liberty Township area. You can choose from our perfect small tents that are a breeze to set up and take down. In some locations, you can pay for a prime parking spot to ensure you’ll have plenty of space to tailgate.
Plan in Advance
This one is a no brainer. Creating a list of everything you’ll need is a great first place to start. Do you have a grill to bring? Do you have enough plates, utensils and cups? What about less obvious things like a small generator and lights for a night game? It’s important to figure out who is coming and what they can bring so you’ll know exactly what you’re responsible for. It’s also a good idea to check the rules of the area you’re tailgating in, as some venues don’t allow for kegs, glass bottles or alcohol at all.
Figure Out Your Food and Drinks
Next to the game, are the food and drinks not the highlight of any tailgate? We recommend choosing foods that don’t take longer than 15 minutes to cook so you can spend less time preparing and more time eating! Think things like hotdogs, hamburgers and kabobs for the grill and pre-made salads for the sides. Make sure your cooler has plenty of ice to keep everything cool. One trick we like is to freeze water bottles the night before and use them to keep things cool. When they melt, you’ll have a nice cold drink. If you’re bringing a keg, keep it cool with a keg cooler and you and your guests will be much happier.
Tricks You Haven’t Thought Of
By following the tips above, you’ll already have a great tailgate. But with a few extra tricks, it will be absolutely perfect. Here we’ll list some of our favorite tricks.
- Multiple coolers? Print out labels with what’s inside each so everyone can find the drink they’re looking for.
- Bring a plastic storage tub to lug home all your dirty dishes without stinking up the car.
- Fill an empty laundry detergent dispenser with water so people can rinse off their hands after messy barbeque.
- String a big helium balloon from your car so your friends can find you easier in the crowd.
We hope these tips will make your next tailgate tailGREAT! One Stop Rental has the equipment you need to make your tailgating party the best it can be. Visit either one of our Ohio locations or give us a call and we’ll help you out. You can also reach us on any of our social channels!