A Girl’s Guide to Tailgating
- Annie Frost
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
How to nail gameday’s favorite tradition, and have a great time doing it
By: Annie Frost
Credit: Annie Frost
The weather is hot, you’re in a crowded backyard with your friends, drinking a half-warm, crappy seltzer. Sounds terrible doesn’t it? Welcome to gameday tailgating in The Swamp.
A long standing tradition at the University of Florida, tailgating brings out the best (and worst) in almost all Florida fans. While alumni and fans line the roads with tents and an array of good food, most students flock to Fraternity Drive. Last gameday, I did my own “frat row crawl” and asked a few friends about their gameday favorites - here’s what I learned.
The Soundtrack of the Day
Good music is necessary to have an amazing gameday. Whether you’re in the mood for country, rap, EDM, or maybe a mix of all three, you’re sure to find the groove that keeps your gameday vibes strong.
I’m an avid lover of a good remix. Anytime someone plays a mashed up song, like EDM Taylor Swift, or New York, New York into Empire State of Mind, I get instantly hyped. Safe to say, I’ve never had a bad music experience on gameday. Something about frat men and aux is like a match made in heaven. Also, bring back live music. SAE had a band last game day and it was perfect for our tailgate crawl.
To curate my answers, I sent out a survey. This was my first question, and the responses did not disappoint. 31.7% of people said Sigma Chi has the best music. I mean, with their mix of 2000s hits and rap classics, that’s definitely not a bad take.
Another 22.7% said Theta Chi has the best music. Safe to say that with their mix of latin, rap, and mashups, I do not disagree one bit. Can we talk about them playing the National Anthem live on electric guitar though? Fire.
Perhaps Some Food & a Bevvy?
Now, in order to survive, we all need some food and a beverage. The frats are actually quite generous in providing both (not saying they’re always good) but they’re something!!
From my extensive knowledge in frat tailgating culture, my top place for food is PiKapp. They served BBQ ribs there one gameday, and let me tell you - that was EXACTLY what I needed. My white shirt might have not survived the day, but I did. Good drinks, however, are honestly hard to come by.
A newfound favorite was Lamba Chi’s slushies. It’s the perfect cold tasty combo that you need on a hot gameday. It’s like summertime wrapped into a drink.
The reviews from my form were, quite frankly, all over the place. On the drinks scale, 33.4% of people said SAE had the best drinks. I have never tried their drinks, but now I think I might have to.
Food wise, 54.5% said that Beta had the best food. I have tried their hotdogs and fries on gameday, so honestly, I’m not surprised by that sentiment. A glizzy is the perfect way to start (or end) a tailgate.
Traditions Meant to Be Upheld
Fraternities are built on tradition, so it’s only right for us tailgaters to have some of our own. That one thing that no matter rain or shine, has to happen on gameday.
A favorite tradition of mine comes with a song. Anytime I hear Sippin’ Yak by Cloonee, I will announce to everyone that I was in the top .005% of listeners to this song the past year. Super irrelevant, but I’m so very proud of it. I also love getting driven to frat row by pledges. Getting picked up in whatever car, maybe even the Gainesville Brew Bus, adds so much excitement to gameday. Being with my sorority sisters and good music makes me happy.
According to the group responses, 30% of people said their favorite gameday tradition was dunkaroos. If you don’t know what that is, PLEASE look it up. Or do it. Or both. I’ve given my fair share of dunkaroos, and let me tell you, it’s the best.
Another 10% said Chi Phi Piano Man. Personally, I've never witnessed a Chi Phi Piano Man, but I have heard raving reviews. Might have to put that on your bucket list.
The Treacherous Stadium Rd. Walk
The frats have closed, the music is subsiding, and you probably had food but are still starving. Sounds like game time to me! Alas, you have to work for those seats at the game by walking half a mile (maybe more) to the stadium. Doesn’t seem like a lot but boy does it feel like forever. Once inside, it’s time to relax and cheer on the Gators to another win! (or loss)
Annie Frost is a Journalism major at the University of Florida from Windermere, FL. She’s an avid fan of a good dunkaroo and rendition of “Won’t Back Down.”