Tailgating is more than food…it’s a tradition

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – When sporting events roll into town, many people head out to the stadium for some tailgating.

Self-proclaimed chefs throw everything on the grill from hamburger to hotdogs, and you can’t forget the chips.

Mississippi State’s NCAA Super Regional baseball game was Saturday night, and a few fans turned up early to cook some pregame meals.

While food can be the main reason tailgating happens, a few tailgaters said sometimes it’s more than the food… it’s tradition.

When football and baseball come to Mississippi State – tailgaters aren’t far behind.

For some, tailgating means food, drinks, and spending time with people.

But for Denis Everett, it’s a tradition.

“We just had a lot of good times out here, back in the old days,” said Everett.

Everett has attended Mississippi State’s baseball games since 1976 when he was a student.

He says he and his friends would eat in Left Field Lounge and watch the game together.

“It was our winning tradition,” described Everett.

To carry out that tradition, Everett and his friends set up a grill and cheer on his fellow Bulldogs before every baseball game.

“It’s meeting people like this and friends and family and getting to know people and the comradery of the ball game,” said Everett.

For many, it’s a place to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

“This group behind me we’re from all over the state, and that’s how we all met ten years ago was tail-gating, so this is kind of a reunion we all get together,” said tailgater Chuck Cariker.

Mississippi State will play at Dudy Noble Field on Saturday at 7 p.m.