Memorial Day is this weekend, meaning that we’re mere hours away from the unofficial kickoff to summer. Of course, depending on where you live in the country, you may have not even had a spring yet. That may just be because New York City is a maniacal machine of infinite possibilities, all designed to push you to the brink of death or insanity.

But I suppose that’s another article altogether, innit?

Summer hearkens the advent of a lot of things: the heartbreaking realization that you’ll be spending the majority of your life indoors under fluorescent lights, the cataclysmic end to a brief summer romance, and of course, the sinking depression that’ll thickly drizzle over your optimism, once you realize that your pasty, aging body will never bounce back from the permanent damage you’ve done to it by drinking beer and eating barbecue.

So, if you can’t beat ‘em, I say join ‘em!

Today we’re going to dive headfirst into how to properly prepare yourself — emotionally or otherwise — for a beach tailgate. Tailgate for what? Who cares! You’re on the beach! Watch some kids go boogie boarding or build a sandcastle. Or, scope out some charming-looking people whilst they engage in a volleyball tourney. The bottom line is, have fun and go for it with all the gusto of a thousand Norm Petersons.

Some of these will be hard and fast rules, and others will be product suggestions or recommendations. No matter what, just remember: I have never been wrong in my entire life.

In no particular order:

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

1. Start drinking

That is, if you’re of age and enjoy the sauce.

Check out the Top 10 Tailgating Cocktails.

It’s summer, and it’s warm, and you’re going to be on a beach. Moreover, the amount of time in your entire life that you’ll be on a sunny beach with nothing to do is way overshadowed by the time you won’t be on a beach. And I can guarantee you that nobody laid on their deathbed thinking “those times on the beach would have been so much better if I was sober.”

Like the meat you’re likely preparing for your tailgating, you will need proper marination. Get after it.

2. Music!

Admittedly, I’m not a huge fan of Jimmy Buffett, but if you’re running a beach tailgate, I think you need a little sampling. However, might I suggest giving a few indie bands a shot? I’ve always been partial to the beach-y feel of a band from Jersey called Real Estate. You would think that the band Beach House would be a beachy band, but they’re not. They’re more sad and harpsichord-y, which is even more confusing since a beach house is a kind of real estate, an-

You know what? Just get something jangly. People will dig it.

That and Best Coast.

Photo Credit: PWS Enterprises

3. This Tent-Looking Thing!

Look, there’s a decent chance at that least a few of you are like me, which is to say: sad and of Irish-German descent (my mother and aunt have hinted that there’s some Dutch and French-Canadian in there too. I refuse to believe this is true, but from a complexion standpoint, the argument passes muster). And we burn in the sunlight. We burn the way Qdoba burns 15 minutes after lunch. We could have SPF 300 sunscreen (basically, Elmer’s paste) and we’d still come out looking like Hellboy. That’s why you should pick up this handy-looking canopy thing and protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. All the while enjoy an ice cold beer. But not a Landshark, like this thing advertises. No no. That’d be too boring.

4. Get Some Real Summer Beer

Corona and Landshark are the usual “go-to” adult beverages when you’re beachin’ it up. But I say this is a bunch of malarkey. Not just because Corona is actually higher in calories than Guinness, but because there are some truly remarkable craft beers out there. Since I don’t know where in the nation you’re reading this, thirsty Tailgate Fan reader, it’s tricky to make region-specific recommendations. But what I can say is this: go to your nearest beer store, and ask the guy behind the counter for blonde ales, kolschs, and wheat beers. All refreshing, all delicious, and all authentic.

Check out the Top 10 Tailgating Beers.

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

5. Cornhole/Bags/Baggo

First, let’s get this out of the way: I don’t have a particular allegiance to what you want to call this game. It’s the one with the boards and the beanbags and you throw them at the hole. I don’t want to start a whole war over this like the “Beer Pong/Beirut Skirmish of ‘03,” so just know that I mean “that beanbag game.” Now, science has (probably) proven that of all the outdoor leisure games you can play, this one is probably the most enjoyable. I can think of no better way to spend a summer day than tailgating on the beach with these bag boys. Oh ho. I’m sorry. I meant bad boys. Ba-zing!

6. Grills!

The best part about beach grilln’? You’re not in a parking lot surrounded by other cars. Cars with engines. Engines full of flammable gasoline. So, you know, there’s less of a risk of blowing everything up.

That means you can get away with using a grill like this. See, most stadia parking lots only allow propane grills. But many folks (sorry, Hank Hill!) enjoy the extra flavor you get from charcoal or wood. With this grill, you can get that natural wood flavor, if that’s your thing. And even better, once it burns down, the sand will naturally extinguish the flame!

Photo Credit: Thinkstock

7. A Football

Even if you’re not watching a football game, you should probably have a football to toss around.

It’s just common sense.

8. A Whole Pig

That’s right, jerks! If you’re going to have a tailgate on the beach, we may as well kick this one to the extreme. After all, anybody can cook hot dogs and hamburgers on the beach. Or in a parking lot. Or in a field. But it’s only on a sandy shore that you can bury a whole pig in a pit, Hawaiian style!

We’ve got a handy primer here, but remember that we’ve never actually done this ourselves, so BE CAREFUL. But if you’ve got the time and ability, and you’re properly prepared for safety concerns… you should totally go for it.

So there you have it – the perfect way to turn any beach outing into a bona fide BEACH TAILGATE. And remember, like any good tailgate, the clock is ticking. It won’t be long before your ability to tailgate on the beach goes bye bye. So gather ye Bud Lights while ye may, and get to it!

Check out Brian’s Tailgating Top 10s.

Stop in at the Man Cave Daily, where the women are hot and the beer is cold.

Brian Cullen is now dying for a beach getaway — one that he probably won’t get anytime soon in Queens. Follow him on Twitter @bucketcullen.

Summer, and the summer grilling season, is here. Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer. So it’s time to dust off the deck chairs, open up the sun umbrellas and fire up the grill. But what should you make for the first cookout? How about a new twist on an old favorite?

Tailgate Fan has just the thing to add a little kick to your picnic: burgers topped with beet horseradish sauce. We’ll pause here to let you salivate… let us know when you’re ready.

Okay, here’s how you make them:

Ingredients (burgers):

* 16 ounces ground sirloin

* 4 buns of your choice

* Lettuce, tomatoes and sliced onion (Note: toppings optional)

Ingredients (sauce):

* 1/4 cup mayonnaise

* 1/4 cup sour cream

* 4 teaspoons prepared horseradish

* 4 – 5 tablespoons pureed beets (Note: can use canned beets, pureed in food processor or one small, cooked beet, pureed)

Instructions:

1. Mix together all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until combined.

2. Chill sauce in the fridge.

3. Heat up the grill.

4. Divide beef into 4 patties and set aside on plate.

5. When grill is hot, grill burgers as desired.

6. When mostly cooked to your liking, flip each burger and cook for just a minute or two on the other side.

7. Place cooked burgers on buns and top with the sauce and other fixings.

Enjoy!

Find more tasty recipes for your next tailgate.

Alma Schneider is a licensed Clinical Social Worker helping individuals overcome their psychological and practical obstacles to cooking and parenting on her blog and consulting business, Take Back the Kitchen. She is a native New Yorker transplanted to the suburbs with her husband, four children and loving yet stubborn Beagle Shiloh.

The second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown is as much about the party as it is the horse race. Infield revelers gorged themselves on alcohol, food, music and, um, alcohol. It’s traditionally one of the craziest scenes in the sports world. This year was no different.

Pitbull headlined the race-day festivities, supported by Macklemore and Chevelle. The bikini contest added some skin to the game. But the Black-Eyed Susan — a potent mix of Vodka, lemon, blackberry and bitters that is the race’s official drink — may have stole the show.

Jerry Miller and Tailgate Fan waded through the muck and mire to bring you the sites and sounds of Preakness infield.

You may not believe it, but summer is here. And summer means sun and warm weather… going to the beach, heading out to the lake and lounging by the pool. Life is one big aquatic tailgate, at least it is in our dreams. Here’s hoping we never wake up.

Hanging out by the water used to just require a swimsuit, towel and a cooler, and often not even that. But this is the digital age, baby, which opens up all kinds of accessory and entertainment options. You don’t have to be cut off from the rest of the world, even if you’d like to keep it at bay for bit. Tailgate Fan has some fun gear to get you off technology island.

Let’s have a look and a listen.

Photo Credit: Looxcie

Looxcie LX2 Wearable Video Cam for iPhone and Android ($179.99)

Need to show everyone just how much fun you’re having? Then you need a vid-cam that weighs less than an ounce, sits behind your ear and records the festivities hands free. The Looxciee LX2 sends the last 30 seconds of video through a smartphone, right then and there, to Facebook, Twitter or YouTube. Or it streams live to your friends and family. Everyone who couldn’t come to the party can still enjoy the moment, at that moment.

Buy the Looxcie LX2 Wearable Video Cam.

Photo Credit: Audio Technica

Audio Technica ATH-CKP200WH SonicSport In-Ear Waterproof Headphones ($49.95)

Your gear always seems to get wet, especially the stuff that shouldn’t. So why not waterproof your music with these in-ear waterproof headphones? Clip them on and let them isolate the outside noise. You won’t hear anything you don’t want to hear. And they’re protected from sweat and spills. Heck, wash them off in the sink if you have to. (Just don’t go swimming with them.)

Buy the Audio Technica Waterproof Headphones.

Photo Credit: Braven

Braven BRV-1 Portable Ultra Rugged Wireless Speaker ($199.99)

Then again, maybe you’d rather share the music. Summer is a party. Baraven’s portable audio speaker takes the sound wherever you happen to be going. It’s rugged enough to take the abuse — it’s even IPX5 certified water resistant — with enough watts to blast out the sounds. The speaker connects to devices via Bluetooth and will play for hours on a charge. It will even juice up other mobile devices.

Buy the Braven Portable Wireless Speaker.

Photo Credit: Dry Case

Dry Case Waterproof Case for Smartphones ($39.99)

Water and smartphones — or digital cameras or MP3 players — don’t play well together. Let’s not even get into what sand can do if given the chance. But who cares? Once you’ve popped your phone (any make) into this waterproof case and pushed out the air, nothing can get in. Go ahead, take it right in the ocean with you. The Dry Case is waterproof up to 100 feet. And, just in case you’re wondering, there’s a tablet-sized version too.

Buy the Dry Case Waterproof Case.

Photo Credit: LoungePac

LoungePac Complete Beach Chair ($259.99)

Roll out the luxury. This backpack or wheeled suitcase transforms into a lounger, complete with cup holders, umbrella and pillow. There’s plenty of storage space and a cooler for holding cold beverages. Turn it into an upright chair if you get tired of lying down; the leg supports double as a side table. There’s even a set of speakers and a battery-powered amp to plug into.

Buy the LoungePac Complete Beach Chair.

Happy tailgating!

Get all your team gear for the big game.

Find more cool gear for your next tailgate.

Marshal M. Rosenthal is a technology, gadget and lifestyle writer based on the West Coast.

Two important questions we need to ask ourselves today, sports fans:

1. Can you tailgate at a hockey game?

2. Can you tailgate during a game?

Both of these questions could be pretty daunting. Mostly because this is as much as I know about hockey:

In Sega’s NHL 95, the Chicago Blackhawks were the best team. They had Jeremy Roenick, Steve Smith, Steve Larmer, Chris Chelios and Michel Goulet. That was their starting lineup, anyway. If you played without line changes (a feat which, at the time, I didn’t realize was impossible in real life), then you’d swap out Goulet for Tony Amonte, since Amonte’s 74 overall rating beat out Goulet’s 67. Oh, right! They also had Ed Belfour. That team was unbeatable.

Sometimes I would put myself in the game. Even back in the mid-90s, you could create your own character. And since I was in the driver’s seat, I maxed out stats: 99 everything (including aggression and fighting). I put myself at left wing because I’m left handed (that’s an actual decision I made. I actually have no idea if handedness plays any part whatsoever in what position you play in hockey). “Video Game Me” was such a disgusting, violent, pornographic force of nature that he finished the season with 70 more goals than the second-best goal scorer in the league. Even worse? He got in so many fights that he only played 1/3 of a season, meaning that his schedule was roughly: 4 goals, punch Jaromir Jagr in the face, 4 more goals, check Mario Lemieux through the glass. Lather, rinse, repeat.

And that’s it. Those are all the things I know about hockey. Part of it could be sour grapes — I haven’t had a strong urge to follow the sport ever since my beloved Hartford Whalers left town in 1997. Or it could just be that I’m too dumb to follow the sport with any kind of coherent understanding.

Photo Credit: Grant Halverson/Getty Images

It probably comes as a surprise, then, that I could find a way to enjoy a hockey tailgate. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me start from the beginning.

A good friend of mine works for the NHL. The other day, he happened to be passing through town, so he invited me out for a beer. I met up with him, we bought a couple rounds, caught each other up, then turned our attention to the TV screens to waste the evening away. Now, my friend took particular offense that this bar was showing the Heat-Bulls game, not because he hates the NBA — he does, but that’s besides the point — but because the New York Rangers, who were playing some 16 blocks away, weren’t on a single TV. (In the bar’s defense, they did change one of the TVs. In the bar’s offense, it was at our 4 o’clock, making it almost impossible to watch.)

Check out the Top 10 Tailgating Beers.

So, my friend took to Twitter, and asked his considerable list of followers whereabouts he should go watch the game. The answer was resounding and unanimous: The Flying Puck.

If you’ve never heard of The Flying Puck, it’s billed as a hockey bar and restaurant. Not a sports bar, mind you: specifically a hockey bar.

And it is the loudest bar I have ever been to in my entire life.

The Flying Puck (Photo Credit: Brian Cullen)

The question that’s probably on your mind: can hockey even have a tailgate? I submit that it can. After all, it’s an event, it brings out a rabid fanbase, and I have to imagine that some crazy fans in Calgary or wherever are grilling out before a game. In fact, tell you what… let’s Google this action right now and see what comes up:

(ahem) GOOGLE. TAKE ME TO HOCKEY TAILGATING.

Ok, so that seems comprehensive enough. Internet Rule #487 is that if at least two people are doing it and talking about it on a website, it’s a thing that exists. Funny enough, that’s also the definition of Rule #34. But we never, ever talk about Rule #34. (seriously. Don’t search for that within 50 miles of your work computer).

But besides all that, the actual fervor in this room was ridiculous. The Flying Puck is located just two or three blocks from Madison Square Garden (which, so far as I’m concerned, counts as a parking lot, since Madison Square Garden doesn’t really have one otherwise).

Madison Square Garden (Photo Credit: Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

But I swear that this crowd was more raucous than any that could have been in MSG. Maybe it was because everyone was cramped together in some pretty close quarters. Maybe this is just how hockey/Ranger fans are in general. I don’t know. All I know is that there should be no doubt that these guys were tailgating.

Of course, this might break the typical conventions of, you know, needing a car and a parking lot. But given the circumstances, I think this was as close as you could get for a Rangers game. Just because MSG doesn’t have a lot of parking space, or (I would suppose) liberal parking lot grilling laws, should they be denied the heavenly joys of tailgating?

Absolutely not. As we’ve stated here before, the joy of this activity is acceptance, and the fostering of a community. I suspect that these people took to the Flying Puck because it was their only possible means of tailgating for the game.

Check out What Makes A Tailgate A Tailgate?

This leads, then, to the other question at hand: I arrived during the second period. Usually, tailgates are reserved for before (and, sometimes, after) the event. Can a tailgate rightfully happen during a game?

This question comes at something of an unfortunate time. If we’re going to be scientific about how far we’re stretching the boundaries of tailgating, what we should have done is create a perfect “control” tailgate, and tested a new variable each week. But now, we’re concluding that hockey games in bars can be tailgates, and then wondering if those tailgates can happen during games.

The Flying Puck (Photo Credit: Brian Cullen)

Well. The Nobel Committee won’t be giving me any citations any time soon. But whatever.

Here’s what I think — the answer to this one is yes, with a BIG FAT ASTERISK on it. I think you can tailgate during a game, only if the following conditions are met:

1. You do not have tickets to the game.

2. You have taken every reasonable step to procure non-bankrupting tickets to the game.

3. You are within close proximity to the stadium. Preferably a ½ mile or less.

4. You are one of 10+ people tailgating. It’s gotta be a big crowd. (I’ve “tailgated” with two people during a Giants game. That doesn’t count.)

So. Did The Flying Puck make the grade?

Here’s a video I took. You tell me.

The defense rests, your honor.

So, any other good hockey tailgates? Any stories of in-game tailgating you’d like to share? Hit me up in the comments section.

Check out Brian’s Tailgating Top 10s.

Stop in at the Man Cave Daily, where the women are hot and the beer is cold.

Brian Cullen will admit to being a little intrigued about the hockey playoffs now. Not much. Just a little. Follow him on Twitter @bucketcullen.

Have you been looking to lighten up your summer tailgates a little? Who are we kidding, of course you have? As much as we’d all like to eat nothing but grilled red meat topped with bacon and barbecue sauce, sometimes we need a little variation in addition to (or instead of) the main course. Tailgate Fan has a delicious alternative.

This recipe will keep your tastebuds on their feet. Sweet Dijon Chicken Salad is a new twist on a classic recipe. And it’s perfect for summer days in the park or parking lot. Dig in.

Ingredients (salad):

* 2 cups chopped cooked chicken

* 1/4 cup chopped dried cherries (or any dried fruit)

* 1/4 cup chopped salted cashews (or any nut or seed)

* 2 slices hearty bread (like Baltic rye)

* Dijon mustard

* Apricot preserves (or any sweet jam, jelly or preserves)

Ingredients (dressing):

* 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

* 1 tablespoon sour cream

* 1 1/2 teaspoon honey

* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

* Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Chop up chicken into 1/4 inch cubes.

2. In a separate bowl, combine dressing ingredients fully.

3. Mix dressing into chicken.

4. Add in chopped cherries and chopped cashews and stir.

5. Salt and pepper to taste and stir into salad.

6. Spread Dijon mustard on one piece of your toast.

7. Spread preserves on another piece of toast.

8. Make a sandwich with the chicken salad in the sandwich, or eat on a platter with salad greens.

Find more tasty recipes for your next tailgate.

Alma Schneider is a licensed Clinical Social Worker helping individuals overcome their psychological and practical obstacles to cooking and parenting on her blog and consulting business, Take Back the Kitchen. She is a native New Yorker transplanted to the suburbs with her husband, four children and loving yet stubborn Beagle Shiloh.

The 138th Preakness Stakes is more than just another horse race. It’s the second leg of the Triple Crown, “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans.” It’s also the second-most attended horse race — and tailgate — of the year after the Kentucky Derby.

Click Here for Preakness Tickets

As anyone who’s ever showed up at Baltimore’s Pimlico Racecourse on the third Saturday of May can attest, the scene is fierce — food, drinks, bands and thousands of people looking to party. The time spent partying in the infield can be just as exciting as the race itself. But you’ll have to travel light, because the rules on what you can bring are pretty strict. Fear not, Tailgate Fan can help you figure out the bare essentials.

(Photo Credit: Richard Enge)

Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies ($19.99)

What’s a friendly bet between good pals, or between you and the fine folks at the racetrack? A chance to make (or lose) some serious cash, that’s what. Bone up on the different types of bets, how to read a racing form and what makes for a winning horse. Use the book to make a cheat sheet for race day, just in case. Don’t leave it all to luck! Your winnings could pay for your day of partying.

Buy Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies.

Photo Credit: Ballistic

Ballistic SX0945 SG Maxx Case for iPhone 5 ($49.99)

iPhones get dropped, broken, scratched, dinged, scraped… and that’s just in a normal day. So imagine what could happen in the infield. The Maxx Case gives your device its own bodyguard. It’s covered with four layers of protection, including reinforced edges for when it inevitably falls out of your pocket. It’s even designed to keep the screen from touching surfaces when face down — which means no more worrying about random nicks.

Buy the Ballistic Case for iPhone 5.

Photo Credit: Converse

Converse CT AS Slip-On Oxfords ($27.19 – $62.00)

Who knows what you’ll be stepping in? So step into a pair of slip-on Chucks first. This traditional, time-tested summer shoe is light, comfortable and cool in whatever color you choose. And you don’t have to worry about shoelaces that inevitably become untied in the scrum anyway. When it’s all over, wash off the grime and you’re ready for the next party.

Buy the Converse Slip-On Oxfords.

Photo Credit: Milani

Woven Straw Gangster Hat ($19.99)

You need a little protection out there in the hot, hot sun. But you also want to look good. The straw hat is quintessential summer head gear, and this one is lined for added comfort. And it’s cheap enough that losing it won’t be a big deal.

Buy the Woven Straw Gangster Hat.

Happy tailgating!

Get all your team gear for the big game.

Find more cool gear for your next tailgate.

Marshal M. Rosenthal is a technology, gadget and lifestyle writer based on the West Coast.

Hey there, gang! I just got back from the Kentucky Derby a few days ago, and I’m at least reasonably confident that the shakes have died down enough for me to write a few coherent thoughts about whatever it was I just witnessed.

For those who have never heard of the Kentucky Derby, welcome to America! I think you’ll find our great country is rife with angry people, the illusion of democracy, semi-decent late night programs and hot, melty sandwiches. The Kentucky Derby itself, meanwhile, is a yearly event where tiny men use whips to beat the stuffing out of long, muscular animals while pretty ladies wear fancy dresses and silly hats. Everyone is drunk, nobody knows what’s going on, and the entire thing is done under the guise of tradition. Funny enough, I used this same description about Boogie Nights back in ‘97.

The first question, I suppose, is: did I just attend a tailgate?

Well. That answer isn’t quite so simple.

Photo Credit: Brian Cullen

The first problem is there isn’t a proper parking lot. Not that I saw, anyway. My party and I bribed a van driver to give us a lift to the entrance of the race track. So we wouldn’t have even come across a parking lot in the first place.

When you first enter Churchill Downs, they give you a thorough pat down, rub, tuck, “how’s yer mum?” and a little how-do-you-do before the security guards (and MPs!) send you on your way. Then, you descend into a tunnel where people are dancing around whooping and hollering and a man with a saxophone plays “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In.” The whole thing feels like a terrible metaphor for being born. Then, you arise, like a phoenix from the smelly, dank ashes, into a glorious field of southern belles and $11 mint juleps.*

*That’s not an exaggeration. $11 for a damn drink. I had a friend who played a round of “Edward Mint Julep-Hands.” Cost him $22, not to mention a fair bit of dignity when the lack of coordination caused him to, erm, “zip himself up.”

Photo Credit: Brian Cullen

From here, everything is like a county fair. People are giving out samples of kettle corn. They… might have had food? Yeah. They probably had food. But I don’t remember looking, to be honest. And they had daiquiris, blue margaritas, $9 beers, the whole shebang.

So there we are, wandering around what I think is some kind of front entrance to the racetrack, when I say to myself, “this is perfect! We’re outside, there’s plenty of places to eat and drink, and there’s a sporting event right nearby where I am. It might not have cars or portable grills, but I certainly would define this as a tailgate. Case closed.”

That’s when I mention to a friend; “So when are we going in?”

“What do you mean?” he asks.

“You know. When are we actually going in to the racetrack itself?”

He stared at disbelief. And by now you’ve put it together, too.

I was in the infield.

For those of you who aren’t following what I’m saying, let me put it to you this way:

Photo Credit: Brian Cullen

Oh. Oh my.

This created two unique problems:

1. Holy crap! The Infield of the Kentucky Derby! That’s one of the craziest spots to party in the United States in any given year! If you’d like a quick illustration, feel free to check out this mildly NSFW Google image search. This should tell you everything you need to know.

Photo Credit: Brian Cullen

2. In one of my recent articles, we’ve already done a fair bit of “blowing off the doors,” as it were, in redefining what basic DNA an event needs to be called a tailgate. But this was a whole new angle. Can you tailgate for an event inside of the event itself!?

Check out ‘What Makes A Tailgate A Tailgate?’

This was a game changer. So I did what any rational tailgate enthusiast would do: I put on my thinking cap. And by that, I mean: my thinking mint julep.

Ok, so let’s work through this a little.

On one hand, being inside of an event clearly doesn’t qualify as tailgating. You cannot tailgate from the stands, so that’s a no go.

On the other hand, we weren’t in the stands. We were in a big, grassy area full of food and drink vendors, sunbathers and people in silly costumes.

Photo Credit: Brian Cullen

So what’s my verdict? I’m going to say… yes. This absolutely counts as a tailgate. I could tell you about how sunny and warm it was or how electric the environment was. But more than anything, it just felt like a tailgate.

Now, this is likely the exception, not the rule. But if the Derby proves that you can have a tailgate inside an event, I think we need to set some ground rules, such as:

1. The event itself cannot be the main focus (I can guarantee you, half the people there didn’t even realize there were races going on).

2. There needs to be ample sustenance, either in the form of food trucks or your own personal grills.

3. In the event of rain, people should be able to slide in the mud (e.g. no concrete, bleachers, rafters, etc).

Photo Credit: Brian Cullen

Are we opening ourselves up to a whole new world of possibilities with this ruling? Absolutely. But that’s what makes it so fun. Heck, tailgating definitions are about as clear cut as 2nd Amendment rights (but so much more fun to quibble over). All there is to do now is keep our eyes open for other events where the tailgate can actually happen inside the gates.

Having settled that question in my mind, I then did what any red-blooded American would do: lost a ton of money on ill-conceived bets, and pursued a life-altering hangover with all the fury of the Middle Ages.

Would I do it again? Sure. In fact, I’ll be reporting in from the Belmont Stakes in a few weeks. So make sure to check back at the same Tailgate Fan time, on the same Tailgate Fan channel. And until then: a belated happy Derby Day to you all!

Check out Brian’s Tailgating Top 10s.

Stop in at the Man Cave Daily, where the women are hot and the beer is cold.

Brian Cullen does not, cannot, and will not condone gambling, but mostly because he’s absolutely lousy at it. Follow him on Twitter @bucketcullen.

Phew! That name is a mouthful, isn’t it! (See what we did there? Not a literal mouthful but… oh, you get the point). But taste is what really matters, when you’re cooking up grub for a tailgate.

Tailgate Fan has another recipe to spice up your party. And don’t let the word “salad’ fool you. This hearty dish — served chilled — is the perfect side for that summer tailgate. Take the festivities out to the parking lot or keep it in the backyard. Eat this salad with a juicy steak, or go light. You’re covered either way.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

Ingredients (salad):

* 6 -8 cups of dark leafy greens, washed and dried

* 1/2 cup medium-size chilled shrimp, cooked and peeled

* 1/2 avocado, peeled and diced

* 2 tablespoons cashew halves

* 1 clementine, sectioned

Ingredients (dressing):

* 1 small garlic clove, minced

* 1/2 cup mayonnaise

* 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream

* 1/2 cup buttermilk

* 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

* 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika

* 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

* 1 pinch of Kosher salt

Instructions (salad):

1. Chill shrimp.

2. Combine salad ingredients.

Instructions (dressing):

1. Combine all dressing ingredients in a separate bowl.

2. Mix until smooth.

3. Refrigerate until ready to use.

4. Add to salad and serve.

Find more tasty recipes for your next tailgate.

Alma Schneider is a licensed Clinical Social Worker helping individuals overcome their psychological and practical obstacles to cooking and parenting on her blog and consulting business, Take Back the Kitchen. She is a native New Yorker transplanted to the suburbs with her husband, four children and loving yet stubborn Beagle Shiloh.

Tailgating can last an afternoon, a weekend or an entire week. NASCAR fans, in particular, know how to make a party into a vacation. So if you’re in it for the long haul, and we’re guessing you are, you best come prepared. That’s where the recreational vehicle comes in. This house on wheels lets you bring the luxuries of home out to the parking lot.

And we don’t just mean the typical home away from home bare minimum. Tailgate Fan wants you to tailgate in style. So lets trick out that RV, and get you ready for a tailgate, anywhere, anytime. Just add people.

Photo Credit: Gooseberry Patch

Our Favorite Road Trip Recipes Cookbook ($7.95)

Great cooks have fancy equipment, plenty of time and lots of experience. You have this travel-friendly cookbook. It’s got over 60 recipes and plenty of tips learned from the school of hard knocks (or big bumps). Plus it’s small and won’t take up much space in your bag or on the counter. And don’t worry about getting the pages all stained — there’s a digital edition for your tablet if you’d prefer.

Buy Our Favorite Road Trip Recipes.

Photo Credit: Crown Verity

48” Tailgate Grill with Storage ($17,410.52)

Because you don’t compromise, neither does your grill. This stainless steal beauty packs a six-burner grill and 46″ x 21″ of cooking space, powered by 99,000 BTUs. The unit has two ice chests, two work shelves and a removable hand sink. And the whole thing is road ready, conforming to the relevant motor vehicle safety standards.

Buy the Tailgate Grill.

Photo Credit: Coleman

Coleman Instant Canopy with LED Lighting System ($210.99)

The RV is home base on the road, but the party happens outside. This instant canopy provides shade during the day and light at night. The steel-framed 50+ UV-protected canopy is tall enough to protect everyone from the sun. And when the sun goes down, the lights come up. The battery powered built-in LED lighting system, powered by four D batteries, actually comes with a dimmer switch. The whole thing sets up in about three minutes.

Buy the Instant Canopy with Lighting System.

Photo Credit: GoBar

GoBar Portable High Top Party Bar ($99.99)

A folding table for drinks at your tailgate? No way. Unfold this compact briefcase to create a full-size bar (39 x 36 x 15 inches). The GoBar has a waterproof surface for the glasses and a hidden storage shelf for the bottles. The interchangeable skirts can alter the mood, at least until the alcohol takes over.

Buy the GoBar Portable Party Bar.

Photo Credit: Winegard

Winegard TRAV’LER DISH Multi-Satellite TV Antenna ($1572.99)

Take your satellite TV to the tailgate. With th press of a button, the antenna goes up in and grabs all the DISH or Bell TV satellites. Mount it on your RV and get your fill of high-def programming and DVR’ing. Now the whole parking lot is your living room.

Buy the TRAV’LER Multi-Satellite TV Antenna.

Happy tailgating!

Get all your team gear for the big game.

Find more cool gear for your next tailgate.

Marshal M. Rosenthal is a technology, gadget and lifestyle writer based on the West Coast.