Planning on tailgating with friends, family this weekend? Tips for a safe, fun experience

Tailgating can be as simple as a blanket, your beloved, and a bucket of chicken.

Or as elaborate as a chandelier in the trees, strolling musicians, and a catered feast.

The choice is yours.

If you'd prefer to land somewhere in the middle, here are some tried-and-true tailgating tips from seasoned football fans:

Getting to the game

Football traffic is, well, football traffic. It's worth noting that on a given autumn Saturday, close to 160,000 fans can be in South Carolina heading to either Clemson or Columbia. That's not counting fans headed to Furman, Wofford, and now Anderson University.

So give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination, set up, do whatever prep or cooking you are planning, eat, eat some more, clean up, pack up, and then head for your seats in the stadium. Whew!

If you've assigned dishes to friends for a shared picnic, timing is everything. The last thing you want is a hungry horde waiting on chicken wings stuck in traffic on Interstate 85.

Do you plan on meeting friends to tailgate? Stay in touch as you travel, or better yet, caravan it so you can snag, if not adjacent, then close-in-proximity parking spots. There are strict rules about staying within your allotted space to tailgate, so sharing space with friends gives you a little more room to spread out.

Be weather wise

It's South Carolina. It's September. It's hot for day games. It may stay hot for night games. What's the forecast? Be prepared for downpours with rain gear and picnic gear that will help you keep your spread from becoming a soggy mess. And remember: Food safety experts say that when temperatures are in the 90s, perishable foods can stay out safely for only an hour or so. They also advise that takeout items should be consumed within two hours of purchase. Plan accordingly.

You may need a jacket as fall arrives, especially for night games. And a word about footwear: If it's raining, and you and 80,000 of your closest friends are tramping toward the same destination, there will be mud.

What you'll need for tailgating

Plenty of seating (bring extra); an umbrella (or canopy if there's room) to provide a little shade; packable, portable picnic table(s); coolers; plenty of ice for both drinks and keeping food safe as temps soar; platters and serving pieces/utensils; portable speakers.

Again, a note from food safety experts: If you're grilling, have separate platters to hold raw meats and cooked meats. The experts advise against partially cooking your burgers at home and then planning to finish cooking them at your tailgate, lest you invite bacteria to the party.

Don't leave home without essentials

Cellphone charger; bottle opener; sunscreen; insect repellent; trash and recycling bags; UL-listed extension cords for generators/appliances if you're using them; frozen water bottles, useful to enhance food safety and for hydration on hot afternoons; Sharpies, for writing names on cups, thus keeping straight whose drink is whose (especially helpful if you have youngsters in your party); and duct tape, because you always need duct tape.

Tailgating is about as convivial as it gets. Most likely, you are all pulling for the same team; there's music and laughter all around. And, hey, nobody's fumbled the ball — yet.

No doubt some ravenous college freshmen are wandering about, and they've had just enough time on campus to miss Mama's cooking.

So be prepared to share. Tigers, Terriers, Gamecocks, Trojans, and yes, even Bulldogs can agree on that.

Tailgating hacks

Tailgating hacks (from cominghomemag.com).

1. Prepare in advance and check the rules.

Shop, pack, organize, and coordinate plans with friends a few days in advance. Also, check stadium guidelines for any essential rules and regulations about parking, setup, and gathering.

2. Make yourself easy to find.

You’ll need to make your spot stand out among the crowd. Use colorful accessories, balloons, and streamers to help guests locate you in the parking lot.

3. Label your coolers.

A tailgate essential, your cooler should be well-stocked with plenty of options. Separate beer and alcoholic vs. non-alcoholic beverages and label what’s inside.

4. Freeze water bottles.

Frozen water bottles double as ice packs for your cooler.

5. Use fitted sheets as tablecloths.

Skip the cloth and plastic tablecloths and use a twin-sized fitted sheet instead. They’re reusable, eco-friendly, and will stay secure when it’s windy.

6. Bring a speaker.

What’s a party without music? Bring a wireless, weatherproof speaker with an upbeat playlist to elevate your setup immediately. If you forget yours, pop your phone in a cup to amplify the sound.

7. Get to know your neighbors.

The more, the merrier! Get to know your tailgating neighbors — no matter which team they cheer for. You never know when you’ll need a jump or to borrow a bottle opener.

8. Create a handwashing station.

Sometimes, hand sanitizer isn’t enough. Fill an empty laundry detergent dispenser or cooler with warm, soapy water through a waterspout to simplify handwashing.

9. Make your trashcan.

Trash bags tied to corners of tables can be a pain. Invest in a portable trashcan or repurpose a pop-up mesh laundry basket with a trash bag.

10. Bring games.

Games add to the fun and help pass the time. Pack a cornhole set or frisbee or football for people to toss around.

11. Have a dirty dishes tub

Station an empty, lidded plastic tub or cooler at the end of a table to collect dirty dishes, cups, and utensils. It’ll make post-game cleanup a breeze and won’t make your car messy. You can also provide disposable plates and cutlery.

12. Use cupcake liners as lids

Keep drinks leaf- and bug-free with cupcake liners. Place one upside-down over your cup or can and pierce a straw through the bottom.

13. Contain your condiments.

Store condiments like ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, and mayonnaise in a cardboard six-pack holder to keep them in one place.

14. Keep food simple.

Your tailgate doesn’t have to be gourmet. Stick to finger foods, like hot dogs, hamburgers, and bite-sized appetizers.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Tailgating season is here; some tips to get your game day started