Tailgating Time

Book Buzz is a blog produced in collaboration with neighborhood librarians from Houston Public Library, Harris County Public Library and the Bellaire Library.

When you mention tailgating in August in Texas it can be only one thing - football season is upon us, not a rude driver. Football fans are anticipating the weekly game of their favorite college or professional team always hoping for a victory on the field.

According to National Geographic, the history of tailgating dates back to the start of the Civil War as civilians gathered to watch the first battle of Bull Run and cheer on the Union or Confederate “team.” Blue vs. Gray?

The western chuckwagon during cattle drives was a form of tailgating, although what we associate with tailgating today harks back to 1869 and the first college football game. Rutgers University played Princeton in New Jersey, and for the first time, fans wore colors to differentiate themselves as team supporters.

One theory in several articles promotes the Green Bay Packers as the source for the term “tailgating” in 1919. Fans would park their pickup trucks around the field and sit on the bed of the truck.

History lesson aside, these days tailgating is about food. From the cold sandwiches made at home earlier to be enjoyed in a folding chair within your parking space to elaborate rigs of BBQ cookers and state of art technology spread over several parking spaces to watch the game, eat, drink and cheer.

Several titles on tailgating are available for the new tailgater who received their first tailgating invitation and for the experienced tailgater who wants to add something new to bring the team luck.

The Southern Tailgating Cookbook: a Game-Day Guide for Lovers of Food, Football & the South by Taylor Mathis has a well-organized collection of drinks, breakfast, appetizers and snacks, sides, main menus, sandwiches and soups and desserts.

The Deen Bros. Get Fired Up: Grilling, Tailgating, Picnicking, and More by Jamie and Bobby Deen offer recipes with Southern charm.

The Hungry Fan’s Game Day Cookbook by Daina Falk offers “165 recipes for eating, drinking and watching sports”.

There is even one for the kids from Sports Illustrated for Kids, Football Tailgating Recipes by Katrina Jorgensen. Easy recipes for the younger fan to make.

It may still be hot, but football time is upon us!