Even an inflatable Tiger is part of the Clemson tailgating landscape.
Georgia fans leave no doubt where their loyalty is with their decor of tailgating sites.
Being the lone tailgater has its privileges as this young person illustrates.
Yes I did leave the web site address and toll-free number in clear view in this photo for fans wanting to know where to get Clemson Blue Cheese.
Whether it is your game of the week or not, I find it interesting to read about other fun and sometimes weird traditions that teams practice when tailgating.
Opening week, I have chosen to focus on the game I am most interested. I have been asking friends and family that religiously tailgate beside their favorite field, what is there to do while sitting in a lawn chair under a tent?
The first response that I received was that it’s not just any tent. Many are adorned with the owners’ favorite school logo. I was reassured that each car and camper was also representing their school colors on magnets, tags, windsocks, stickers and sometimes even a tiger tail – hanging out trunks of vehicles since I was a little girl.
So with that tail, I will start with Clemson University. As I stroll under and around each tent, I see so many faces that I know. This is home to me. The traditions run as rich as the fans’ orange blood. Painted tiger paws on kids’ faces, and orange balloons and tents line the grass.
Wings are a favorite in Tiger territory because you can dip them in the famous Clemson Blue Cheese dressing. I found out last year that I can order it quickly off the campusdish.com website.
Clemson has been making its own blue cheese since 1941.
After fans get a belly full of food and sweet tea, they head over to watch the Tiger Tailgate Show announcers at their tent and the traditional march of the Clemson Tigers from the bus to the stadium. Players high five the kids and shake hands of the fans. After the fans give the C-L-E-M-S-O-N T-I-G-E-R-S cheer almost everyone returns to their tent to look for the remote to the flat screen and get ready for kickoff.
Georgia will set up its home away from home tents at Death Valley this week. Some traditions will travel to Clemson this weekend by way of SUV or RV.
Georgia fans have similar traditions of tailgating, adding a style all their own. The “G” adorned tent is up, the grill is out, and the Bulldog statue is sitting by chairs, protecting all that are under it. The tables are lined with homemade dishes like Georgia Caviar and chips, while others will have catered trays of Chick-fil-A nuggets or sliced deli meats.
After washing down their meal with a cold beverage, the cornhole game is brought out to start a little early competition. The atmosphere is full of laughter, food being dropped into the deep fryer, and talk about the Big 5 and previous wins and losses.
While the Georgettes and the Redcoat band warm up in the stadium, fans decide whether to watch the game outside or pull out the tickets and head into the stadium.
A day spent with a lot of food, cold beverages, a flat screen, and friends that pull for your team is a great way to spend the pre-game hours that lead up to kick off.
Go Tigers!
Georgia Cavier
2 cans Black Beans (rinsed & drained)
2 cans Black-eye Peas (drained)
2 cans White Shoepeg Corn (drained)
2 cans Rotel (I use 1 Original & 1 Mexican)
1 bunch Green Onions (chopped)
1 bell pepper (chopped)
8 oz. Italian Dressing (more or less according to taste)
Preparation
Mix all ingredients and add Italian dressing.
Mix all together well.
Best if made night before.
Serve with tortilla chips or Frito scoops.
Clemson Blue Cheese Dressing
1 1/3 lb Clemson Blue Cheese
1 lb of cream cheese
1 1/3 red onion diced
1/3 tbsp of granulated garlic
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
2/3 tsp salt
2/3 tsp white pepper
2/3 cup shredded carrots, blanched
Preparation
Mix all ingredients together in 20 quart mixer.
Scoop into oval serving dishes, 7 oz. per dish.
Bake in 375F oven until bubbly at the edges and heated through.
Serve each with 3 grilled 7-inch pita breads, each cut into six pieces.