Gameday Tailgating

[drakesta101]

With the new regulations in place in regards to tailgating being restricted to 3 hours before game time, I'd like to ask some questions since I am going to the opener:

1) Is the parking lot across from Gillette stadium separately owned?

2) Considering all this will do will increase traffic volume I don't want to wait until 4PM to show with everyone else, so where are some other good locations to hold a tailgate party? (I realize there are a number of lots up and down the route 1.)

 

[strongside]

With the new regulations in place in regards to tailgating being restricted to 3 hours before game time, I'd like to ask some questions since I am going to the opener:

1) Is the parking lot across from Gillette stadium separately owned?

2) Considering all this will do will increase traffic volume I don't want to wait until 4PM to show with everyone else, so where are some other good locations to hold a tailgate party? (I realize there are a number of lots up and down the route 1.)

Are these regulations set in stone? I was under the impression that they were recommendations byb the NFL?

 

[drakesta101]

Are these regulations set in stone? I was under the impression that they were recommendations byb the NFL?

I believe they are the law of the land now; countryfest had the 3-hour tailgate limit, so I don't think that's any coincidence.

 

[spacecrime]

I believe they are the law of the land now; countryfest had the 3-hour tailgate limit, so I don't think that's any coincidence.

According to their website, it is still four hours.

Official New England Patriots - Stadium - Game Day Parking & Transportation

 

[Rob0729]

First, the league policy was a suggestions to owners and not a new rule.

Second, the league suggested that it be 3 1/2 hours and not 3 hours.

Third, the Krafts so far have not chosen to adopt their policy probably because their own policy is identical to what the league suggest except for an extra half an hour of tailgaiting time.

Anyways, do people really need four hours of tailgating. My friends and I find that two is more than enough (maybe 2 1/2 hours to give a half hour to get into the stadium). Usually anything more than that and we are itching to get into the stadium.

 

[strongside]

I believe they are the law of the land now; countryfest had the 3-hour tailgate limit, so I don't think that's any coincidence.

Countryfest has had a history of problems which is probably the reason for the 3 hr limit

 

[Rob0729]

I believe they are the law of the land now; countryfest had the 3-hour tailgate limit, so I don't think that's any coincidence.

Countryfest is not a Kraft sponsored event. They lease the stadium from Kraft for the use for the event. They may not have gotten permits long enough to give them any more than a three hour tailgate. Isn't Countryfest something like 6-7 hours long? A typical game is three to three and a half.

 

[Patjew]

Countryfest has had a history of problems which is probably the reason for the 3 hr limit

Problem # 1: Too much country.

 

[kmac14]

With the new regulations in place in regards to tailgating being restricted to 3 hours before game time, I'd like to ask some questions since I am going to the opener:
As mentioned by others the 3 to 3 1/2 hour tailgating timeframe was a recommendation by the NFL

1) Is the parking lot across from Gillette stadium separately owned?
There are some satellite lots, but for the most part the larger lots are owned by the Krafts.

2) Considering all this will do will increase traffic volume I don't want to wait until 4PM to show with everyone else, so where are some other good locations to hold a tailgate party? (I realize there are a number of lots up and down the route 1.)

Haven't utilized the seperately owned lots, so far.....

Also Countryfest was 4 hours for tailgate, however though there was several announcements on the radio not to show up any earlier, if you did and it caused a traffic issue the Gillette lots would and did open prior to the 4 hours and charged $60 for anyone that entered a lot before the 4 hour timeframe.

 

[spacecrime]

First, the league policy was a suggestions to owners and not a new rule.

Second, the league suggested that it be 3 1/2 hours and not 3 hours.

Third, the Krafts so far have not chosen to adopt their policy probably because their own policy is identical to what the league suggest except for an extra half an hour of tailgaiting time.

Anyways, do people really need four hours of tailgating. My friends and I find that two is more than enough (maybe 2 1/2 hours to give a half hour to get into the stadium). Usually anything more than that and we are itching to get into the stadium.

You don't need any tailgating. You don't need to go to the game.

Tailgating is a want, not a need. Some people such as yourself may only want one hour or two, and that is cool, but is that really a reason to mandate that everyone else be restricted to what you want?

For me:
Two hours to set up, cook, eat, talk.
Visit pro shop
break down and put away
go in stadium in time to see warmups

That's how I did it last Thursday. That's how I'll do it a week from tomorrow.

Unless they drop the parking fee from $40 to $30 if there is only 3 hours tailgating vs 4. Then I suppose I could drop the Pro SHop and a half hour of warmups, keep the 2 hour tailgating, and save $10 for some fried dough and a Pepsi.

I won't hold my breath.

 

[Spiral]

As most of you know, LSU plays its home games at 7 pm on Saturdays. The signs around the stadium parking lots say "No Football Parking Before 4 pm on Fridays."

Now that's what I call tailgating.

 

[Rob0729]

You don't need any tailgating. You don't need to go to the game.

Tailgating is a want, not a need. Some people such as yourself may only want one hour or two, and that is cool, but is that really a reason to mandate that everyone else be restricted to what you want?

For me:
Two hours to set up, cook, eat, talk.
Visit pro shop
break down and put away
go in stadium in time to see warmups

That's how I did it last Thursday. That's how I'll do it a week from tomorrow.

Unless they drop the parking fee from $40 to $30 if there is only 3 hours tailgating vs 4. Then I suppose I could drop the Pro SHop and a half hour of warmups, keep the 2 hour tailgating, and save $10 for some fried dough and a Pepsi.

I won't hold my breath.

I guess different strokes for different folks, but I think 4 hours is excessive for tailgating, but that is me. I don't go to the Pro Shop since I have been there and done that. But again, that is just me.

I guess I can see someone would want to be there for four hours before the game especially if they don't go often, but I still think it is a bit excessive. Again, that is me.

 

[JAYHAWKS34]

Anyways, do people really need four hours of tailgating. My friends and I find that two is more than enough (maybe 2 1/2 hours to give a half hour to get into the stadium). Usually anything more than that and we are itching to get into the stadium.

I for one love the 4 hrs and wouldn't mind if it were longer

 

[hutch4228]

I am completely aware that I'm a rookie when it comes to this form but Ive been a season ticket holder for 6 years. In the past 8 years that Ive been going to games, my crew and I show up on average 6 hours early. We started in P11 (across from stadium) and the Kraft bought it 2 seasons ago. Thats when the limit on how early you could show up started effecting us (4 hours).

From there, we worked our way down Rt 1 towards 495 until we were finally settled on a place where we could show up as early as we wanted to.

For a 1PM game, we cook breakfast at 7:30 (eggs, bacon, steak, hash browns, etc) and go strait to apps (scallops wrapped in bacon, stuffies, steak tips, oysters, stuffed shimp, etc).

Every game, we try to do something different. Last year we did a clam bake, lobster day, pig roast, or something else fun. We bring generators, lights, hot dog machine, kareoke, heaters, tents and walls. It doesnt get better. We also burn a banner of the opposing team.

Now... to tell me that you can accomplish all of this fun in two hours is CRAZY.

Different strokes for different folks I guess but easy on calling out people who enjoy the art of tailgating.

 

[fnordcircle]

Anyways, do people really need four hours of tailgating. My friends and I find that two is more than enough (maybe 2 1/2 hours to give a half hour to get into the stadium). Usually anything more than that and we are itching to get into the stadium.

Your personal preference/conduct have little bearing in a discussion of policy, though. What you are saying is 'I like to party for 2 hours on a Friday night, why does anyone need more?'

When you have season tickets and you develop a regular tailgating crew, some of whom you only see 4 months a year, every extra minute is worth it.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I am completely aware that I'm a rookie when it comes to this form but Ive been a season ticket holder for 6 years....

Every game, we try to do something different. Last year we did a clam bake, lobster day, pig roast, or something else fun. We bring generators, lights, hot dog machine, kareoke, heaters, tents and walls. It doesnt get better. We also burn a banner of the opposing team.

It would be wicked pissah to put out that banner fire via means not appropriate to discuss in detail in this forum, rook!

Your tailgate sounds great!

 

[Rob0729]

Your personal preference/conduct have little bearing in a discussion of policy, though. What you are saying is 'I like to party for 2 hours on a Friday night, why does anyone need more?'

When you have season tickets and you develop a regular tailgating crew, some of whom you only see 4 months a year, every extra minute is worth it.

I had season tickets (decided not to renew last year). One of the guys we tailgated with is a professional chef and every gate is a multicourse mean and we were able to do it all in 2 hours. Personally, from my experience, we needed more time to tailgate after a long break than when we did frequently. We got it down to a science where we can set up or breakdown in ten minutes (including sparking up the grill, putting up the canope, and cracking open the beers).

When did I say my preference should be the policy. I stated my opinion and never said the Patriots should revise their rule of tailgating based on my preference. I really don't care what the Pats do either way. When I did tailgate (and my friends currently do), we parked at the Rodman Ford dealership across the street since one of my friends fathers was a member of their parking club (now disbanded) since the 80s. They let people in five and six hours early, but you usually gotta be a regular to get in.

 

[Rob0729]

I am completely aware that I'm a rookie when it comes to this form but Ive been a season ticket holder for 6 years. In the past 8 years that Ive been going to games, my crew and I show up on average 6 hours early. We started in P11 (across from stadium) and the Kraft bought it 2 seasons ago. Thats when the limit on how early you could show up started effecting us (4 hours).

From there, we worked our way down Rt 1 towards 495 until we were finally settled on a place where we could show up as early as we wanted to.

For a 1PM game, we cook breakfast at 7:30 (eggs, bacon, steak, hash browns, etc) and go strait to apps (scallops wrapped in bacon, stuffies, steak tips, oysters, stuffed shimp, etc).

Every game, we try to do something different. Last year we did a clam bake, lobster day, pig roast, or something else fun. We bring generators, lights, hot dog machine, kareoke, heaters, tents and walls. It doesnt get better. We also burn a banner of the opposing team.

Now... to tell me that you can accomplish all of this fun in two hours is CRAZY.

Different strokes for different folks I guess but easy on calling out people who enjoy the art of tailgating.

We do do some serious gating as far as food, but we typically gate before and after that might be four hours when everything is said and done. So maybe I am speaking out of turn that way. We found that you might as well gate after the game because no matter where you park you ain't going anywhere for the first hour or two anyway.

 

[Patjew]

I am completely aware that I'm a rookie when it comes to this form but Ive been a season ticket holder for 6 years. In the past 8 years that Ive been going to games, my crew and I show up on average 6 hours early. We started in P11 (across from stadium) and the Kraft bought it 2 seasons ago. Thats when the limit on how early you could show up started effecting us (4 hours).

From there, we worked our way down Rt 1 towards 495 until we were finally settled on a place where we could show up as early as we wanted to.

For a 1PM game, we cook breakfast at 7:30 (eggs, bacon, steak, hash browns, etc) and go strait to apps (scallops wrapped in bacon, stuffies, steak tips, oysters, stuffed shimp, etc).

Every game, we try to do something different. Last year we did a clam bake, lobster day, pig roast, or something else fun. We bring generators, lights, hot dog machine, kareoke, heaters, tents and walls. It doesnt get better. We also burn a banner of the opposing team.

Now... to tell me that you can accomplish all of this fun in two hours is CRAZY.

Different strokes for different folks I guess but easy on calling out people who enjoy the art of tailgating.

Welcome to the forum! I'll see you Septermber 14th.

 

[fnordcircle]

I had season tickets (decided not to renew last year). One of the guys we tailgated with is a professional chef and every gate is a multicourse mean and we were able to do it all in 2 hours. Personally, from my experience, we needed more time to tailgate after a long break than when we did frequently. We got it down to a science where we can set up or breakdown in ten minutes (including sparking up the grill, putting up the canope, and cracking open the beers).

There's a lot more to tailgating than stuffing your maw, if you tailgate with friends. Some people like having as much time as possible to spend with their friends they only see while tailgating.

When did I say my preference should be the policy.

Read. Comprehend. Post. In that order.

I never stated or implied that you were specifying your preference should be policy. I stated your preferences have no bearing in a discussion of policy because some people are more social than others. Within reason the league should try to accomodate everyone, not just anti-social people.