Sporting events are looking quite a bit different this year. There aren’t stands full of excited fans. The crowd is limited to, in the case of the NFL, friends and family members or even simply cardboard cutouts. Many colleges have prohibited tailgating around the stadiums and have either decided to not allow fans at all or at a much-reduced capacity. The noise of a crowd erupting happens over a loudspeaker with sound bites.

Yes, it’s artificial and different than normal – and we don’t know how long it’s going to last – yet right now it’s necessary for public health. It’s also a time for many RV owners to realize just how fantastic it is to have an RV as a tailgating hangout, whether you’re at a campsite or at home in the driveway. You may not be able to tailgate for hours in the parking lot of your favorite sports team, but you can host an intimate gathering of friends and family to watch the big game – all within and around your RV.

 

Set Up

Keep it outside if possible. Make the space as festive! Pull out all the stops for decorations to celebrate your favorite team, even if some of your guests don’t share your enthusiasm. Balloons, streamers, tablecloths, dishes, cups, bunting, magnets on the side of the RV, lights hanging from the awning, whatever your creativity leads you. Set out camping chairs and ask guests to bring their own. Put out card tables to hold food, beverages, and board games. Keep the chairs and tables adequately spaced yet within view of the TV. If shade is needed, put up awnings or small tents to offer respite from the sun.

 

Set the Menu

Tailgating is the perfect opportunity for a potluck; everyone can bring their favorite game day snack to share. But as the host, you should offer more than just a single dish and hope other guests will fill in the gaps. For beverages, ask guests to BYOB but also offer cans of soda, water, and beer. With it being autumn, plan on serving up coffee, too! In addition to grilling out, here are some easy-to-make recipes that you can make ahead of time or whip up the day of for tailgating with a small gathering of fans.

 

Buffalo Chicken Cheese Ball – Homemade Interest

Ingredients

  • 8ounces chicken, cooked, shredded, and finely chopped
  • 8ounces cream cheese
  • 8ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4cup Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce
  • 1cup almonds, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Mix it well. Place the cooked chicken, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and Frank’s sauce in a mixing bowl. Mix the ingredients until they are well combined using a hand mixer or a wooden spoon.
  2. Shape the ball. Scrape out the mixture from the bowl using a spatula. Roll the mixture into a ball and then roll it through the almonds until it is evenly coated.
  3. Chill and serve. Wrap the cheesy, chicken ball in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Let it chill for at least 1 hour before serving with your favorite crackers, celery, or dressing.

 

Super Spots Sunday Slow Cooked Chili – From MyRecipes.com

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained
  • 1 (26.46-ounce) box Pomì finely chopped tomatoes
  • 1/2 habanero chile, seeded and very finely chopped
  • 1 (6-ounce) can or tube tomato paste
  • 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
  • 3/4 cup beer
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
  • Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, for serving
  • Shredded Cheddar cheese, for serving
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for serving
  • 1 (10- to 11-ounce) bag tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook the ground beef, onions, and garlic in a large Dutch oven over medium-high until no pink remains, about 6 minutes. Drain and return to the pan.
  2. Add all the other ingredients except those for serving. Stir well, and then bring to a boil over high. Let boil for a couple minutes, then stir, cover, and reduce the heat to low; simmer for 15 minutes. Give the chili a good stir, cover again, and simmer for another 2 minutes.
  3. Continue to simmer over low, covered, for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Season with salt.
  4. Provide your guests with their choice of fixings: sour cream (or Greek yogurt), shredded Cheddar, chopped cilantro, diced onions, and tortilla chips.

 

Sugar Cookie Bars – From RV Tailgate Life

Sugar Cookie Bars

  • 1/2 c Butter, Melted
  • 1/2 c Sugar
  • 1/2 c Light Brown Sugar
  • 2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Egg, Room Temp
  • 1/2 tsp. Salt
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 1/2 c flour, sifted
  • 1/2 c sprinkles, your choice of color

Cookie Icing

  • 1/2 c butter, melted
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 c heavy cream
  • food color (optional)
  • 3 1/2 c powdered sugar
  • more sprinkles

Instructions

Sugar Cookie Bars

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9×13 pan, set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar together until well mixed and creamy.
  3. Add vanilla and egg; beat until all ingredients well mixed.
  4. Slowly, add baking powder, salt, flour, and sprinkles to mix.
  5. Add cookie dough mixture to greased pan.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Icing

  1. Beat butter, vanilla, and salt together.
  2. Add heavy cream.
  3. Slowly add in powdered sugar. Beat on high until icing is completely mixed, light and creamy.
  4. Spread icing over the top of sugar cookies.
  5. Top with the rest of your sprinkles.
  6. Cut iced cookie bar into smaller squares. Lasts about 1 week in sealed containers, unless the cookie monsters appear.

 

Show the Game

There are a couple options for showing the game. One is to have a TV mounted on the exterior of the RV, specifically utilizing one of the storage compartments. Put the RV on an extendable, rotating arm and you’ve got a great way to view the game. If you haven’t already made this upgrade to your Class A motorhome, travel trailer, or fifth-wheel, then it might be high time to put in the dollars and effort to do so. Some folks decide to project the game onto a big screen or sheet. Of course, if you want to watch the game, you’ll need to have decent internet or satellite connection. If you want to go “old school,” have the game play only on the radio.

 

Pass the Time

Whether you’re between innings, half-time, or the game is pretty much decided, you may want to pass the time other than sitting and watching. Put out board games and yard games for your guests to use as they wish. If someone wants to toss a ball around, make sure it’s away from the main viewing area and any campfire pits. Nobody wants smoked leather for dessert!