I know August is often regarded as back to school month, and sometimes dreaded because of the south Louisiana hot temperatures, but it’s also football season. Move over pumpkin spice latte, the real fall MVP is here.
We’re sports people. The type that can’t make your kids party because it’s a home game, play Saturday sports or schedule a makeshift birthday party for our son because his birthday falls on homecoming.
To say we live for football (really, all the sports) is an understatement. And along with football, comes tailgating. We are University of Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (UL) season ticket holders and have a reserved tailgating spot. Now, I wasn’t born into this madness, but it was part of our wedding vows, I think. I grew up a sports fan, so I’m thankful to have this experience in our backyard.
UL tailgating and football is my favorite family day date. It’s filled with our friends and family, music and dancing, food and drinks. We arrive early, and we stay late. My husband sets up shop at 7am and heats up the grill to cook his boudin breakfast. Some friends arrive early, but mostly spread out throughout the day. I usually Uber down to the field ($12 trip, safety first) and join the party around 11.
Our setup includes two tv’s with the Dish network tailgater package, so we’re able to watch most day games while we tailgate. We cook lunch, catch up with friends we haven’t seen since baseball season, and watch as our kids grow older and start to realize we might not be cool to hang out with much longer.
Once the game starts, we head into the stadium. Most of us sit together so we can high five (hopefully often), and cheer on our Cajuns!
I encourage you to give UL tailgating a chance. There’s a great shaded area for kids that includes a fun jump, games, a DJ and face painting. The game tickets are very affordable, and this year, the Cajuns rolled out of a concession package that includes $1 hot dog, popcorn and chips, as well as $2 water and soda.
You may end up having the best, most affordable day date in town!
Go Cajuns!
