Making the Most Out of Underage Tailgating
Although 21 might seem like the golden age for tailgating, students who haven’t quite struck gold can still reign in on the tailgating fun. While drinking is one of the popular pastimes of tailgating for Razorback games, you don’t have to drink to have a good time. If this is your first season of Razorback football, there a quite a few things to be prepared for as well.
1. Tail(eating)
For the more daring students, it might be worth it to try socializing with the tailgaters and work your way into their party. All you have to do in order to participate in this activity is simply walk around the parking lot among the tailgates and introduce yourself. If you’re lucky, you’ll be offered some of their food. This is the art of tail(eating). A great ice breaker could be “How ‘bout them Hogs?” or just start talking about anything pertaining to Razorback Athletics. Remember your southern manners, make sure to compliment them on their unique tailgate and be gracious for their hospitality.
2. Join in on the fun
At a typical tailgate, one will usually participate in a few casual games of Horse Shoe or Baggo. Pre-game parties are the perfect atmosphere to start up a game of touch football or just throwing around the ball to get you in the game day spirit.
3. Get in line
This is a pretty obvious activity choice but if you’ve never waited in line for four plus hours for a Razorbacks game, here are some tips.
Bring food — make sure to pack granola bars and water to keep you nourished and hydrated in the summer heat. Cliff Bars and Snickers Marathon Bars are good choices and you can pick them up at Club Red on your way to the line.
Delivery isn’t out of the question. You can have anything delivered from pizza to Jimmy Johns (479-571-0600) or chinese. This could potentially save yourself from some hunger pains if you’re without options.
4. Taxi Service
This one is pretty self-explanatory. If you can’t drink, why not take advantage of what you can do? All you have to do in this activity is spread the word (preferably throughout the parking lot during the tailgate) that you will be offering transportation services after the game is over. It’s a helpful and could potentially entertain you. Whether you decide to charge for your services is up to you.
5. WOO PIG SOOIE
This is an activity that anybody, whether sixteen beers deep or 100% sober is able to participate in. All you need do in order to participate in this classic ritual unique to the UA is raise your arms, wiggle your fingers, and call those hogs—just like freshmen orientation.
While most Razorback fans Saturday will be drinking legally, feel lucky to be able to call yourself a Razorback, even if you’re an 18-year-old Razorback. A certain law shouldn’t stop you from having fun. Appreciate each year you have, it goes by too fast anyway.
