Tailgating for Virginia Tech football games has become big time 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 periodically Thursdays or other days of the week) in Blacksburg are full of Hokies wearing a Virginia Tech sweatshirt, Virginia Tech t-shirt, or Virginia Tech jersey. Virginia Tech football tickets are valuable items.

Correct tailgating for Hokie games takes proper gear and methods. To begin with, you need your tailgating spot. Location is key. This many times comes down to being or knowing a Hokie Club member with good ranking that has a great parking spot. The Hokie Club utilizes a variety of parking lots on campus close (and some pretty far) to Lane Stadium to assign tailgate spots, and you want to be sure you get a prime spot. 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. A lot depends on the weather, but an authentic Virginia Tech jersey (either maroon or white) works great. 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, 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 options. I always try to wear maroon – we are a maroon school. Orange, white, and other colors dilute the stadium effect.

Hokie tailgates are all about food and drinks, so this should be your first focus. I like getting there early so that the grill can be set up and given plenty time to smoke some sort of meat for hours, maybe ribs, Boston butt, or marinated whole chickens. But grilling in general should be the main attention of your tailgate. Burgers, sausages, chicken, steaks, or fish can all make great tailgate food. Hokie country is bar-b-que country, so choose a sauce that fits what you are grilling and will ensure your tailgate guest happy. Complement your grilled stuff with whatever sides and snacks you or your buddies can bring.

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

Other important parts of your tailgate: How are people going to find your spot? Get a colorful Virginia Tech Flag , personalize it some and fly it above your tailgate. Also, deck your Hokie tailgate out with Virginia Tech chairs, coolers, and blankets. Everyone should be drinking out of Hokie glasses and mugs too.

While the Hokie matchup 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 see other games (or they’ll go somewhere else). Do what the best tailgaters do and get a portable satellite dish you hook up to a receiver and televisions 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 good tailgate is one that everyone wants to return to after the game.

Getting set 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.