Tips for Tailgating in the Rain

10 Tips for Tailgating in the Rain

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Excitement is in the air planning for the big tailgate but there is no bigger disappointment than a rainy weather forecast for the outdoor event of tailgating. It only took us one super soggy football season to put together a new game plan for there being rain in the forecast. We have put together our tips for tailgating in the rain so that you can stay dry and rock the tailgate!

1. Over-prepare for any chance of rain. We once went to a tailgate with a 30% chance of rain. At the last minute I ran back into the house and grabbed a light rain jacket. It poured the entire time from the moment we arrived. You can never be too safe with the weather reports.
2. A great tailgate tent makes a big difference. While we most often use our tent for shade, it is an absolute must have for a rainy tailgate. Our tailgate tent is also easy to assemble and comes with walls to help keep the rain out.
3. Use tarps as a flooring or tent walls. If you tailgate in a grassy area, it can easily become a mud pit. When we anticipate rainy weather, we put down a tarp as a floor to minimize the mud and surprisingly it does not become super slippery.
4. Spread out straw in your tailgate area to spread to minimize mud and pooling. Double check ahead of time that your facility allows for this but it will also keep the grass better intact.
5. Invest in quality waterproof rain gear. Having quality rain gear comes in handy not only for tailgating in the rain, but year round as well. It only took us throwing out pairs of water-logged, swampy smelling shoes to realize that we needed to upgrade our wardrobe. We currently love our Hunter rain boots and Columbia Waterproof Jackets because they keep us dry and have the added bonus of finding this gear in our team colors.
6. Use your car’s heater to help dry any wet layers before heading into your event. You can use the visors to hang your wet clothing items and point the vents towards them. It may not make them totally dry, but definitely more bearable.
7. Wear a Hat. A hat really comes in handy for those rainy tailgates. Even if you don’t have a large amount of rain gear, wearing at least minimize how wet the top of your head gets.
8. Bring extra changes of clothes to be on the safe side. It is absolutely no fun to go into a football game or another event with wet clothes. Don’t forget the extra socks and shoes too!
9. Bring more make-ahead tailgate food items or food that does not require cooking. If you are looking at a long day with downpours, skip the grilling and bring food that can be easily served. If you do want to grill, make sure you keep it away from your tent.
10. Don’t let a rainy forecast keep you from tailgating! Have fun and make the best of your tailgate no matter what rain might be in the forecast. With a little planning ahead of time, you will be more than prepared to tailgate in the rain. Happy tailgating!