Everything You Need for Your Next Homecoming Tailgate
During an HBCU homecoming game, the main event often takes place in the tailgating lot
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CR's tailgate party on the Booker T. Washington Lawn at Hampton University gave the writer an opportunity to return to her "home by the sea."
Tailgating at college football games is an American pastime. But a tailgate party at an HBCU hits a little differently. These ritualistic reunions at historically Black colleges and universities are an unapologetic celebration of Black culture, a time for community connection, and a beautiful reminder of the struggle won by survivors.
Whether you attend Howard University’s Yardfest, Spelman’s and Morehouse’s SpelHouse Homecoming, or North Carolina A&T’s Greatest Homecoming on Earth (affectionately known as GHOE), you’ll find that the music, food, and fellowship are truly the main event.
Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
If there’s one event that reflects the sensation of this weeklong moment best, it’s the homecoming tailgate party. It has the ability to nourish the soul, fill up your emotional cup, and bestow a sense of gratefulness for having made the decision to attend all those years ago. While I’ve experienced homecoming as an alum before, this year I returned to co-host my very first tailgate event.
Joined by Consumer Reports colleagues, I reconnected with classmates and simultaneously shared the work CR does on behalf of consumers. We also helped some Hampton tailgaters create the ultimate experience by sharing some of the best products we’ve tested for tailgating.
Want our full list? Read on for our top tailgating picks.
6 Tailgating Essentials to Up Your Homecoming Experience
Homecoming games are coming to an end, but these products are prime picks for the entire football season.
A Portable Grill for the Grub
Baby back ribs, barbecue wings, and burgers can all fit on this portable model with a 250-square-inch cooking surface. The Broil King Porta-Chef 320 952654 is a refined portable grill with the performance and features you’d find on our highly rated full-sized models. It has three burners, an electronic ignition, and coated cast-iron grates. Ideal for tailgating, this model boasts top-notch scores for convenience and indirect cooking, plus strong marks for cooking evenness, preheating, and temperature range.
A Meat Thermometer to Keep Food Temps Safe
Nobody has time for an upset stomach when a homecoming schedule involves hours of tailgating, the after-party, and a drive (or flight) home early the next day. The ThermoPro TP19H instant-read meat thermometer offers handheld temperature readings in seconds with a single stowable probe, so you can trust that the food you’re consuming—or serving—is safe to eat.
A Speaker for the Tunes
Can’t get enough of the Tamia Hustle, Cowboy Carter, or Frankie Beverly and Maze? Though a general general rule in audio is “the bigger the speaker, the better the sound,” the Klipsch Detroit is a happy exception that can amplify these satisfying tunes even in a tailgate setting. At just over a foot long, this portable Bluetooth model isn’t exactly tiny, but it’s compact enough to stash in a backpack and pull out when it’s time to two-step.
A TV Screen to Watch the Game
Do you really need a TV to keep track of the score? No. But who wants to struggle to see what’s happening on their phone when a tailgate party is going on around them? This 43-inch LCD (LED) 2160p TV from Samsung is internet-enabled, so you can easily stream the game. And because the ultra-high definition and high definition picture quality are near top-level, you can expect a solid view of the field with very good color accuracy.
Generator Power to Keep the Party Going
A generator that powers your TV, your speaker, and your cell phone is nice to have on game days. It’s also nice that it sells for as little as $300—a fraction of the cost of similarly scored models. The Genmax GM1200i keeps you powered up for 4 to 7 hours and aces our power delivery and quality tests. It’s also easy to use and relatively quiet, so you don’t have to struggle to hear your tailgate tunes.
A Small Pickup to Last Beyond the Season
The Maverick’s civilized ride, maneuverability, fuel economy, and low price distinguish it from other trucks. Its crew cab interior is roomy and practical, so you and your sorors (or frat brothers) can coast comfortably to campus with good legroom and headroom in front and back. And because it comes equipped with a 110V power outlet and USB ports, you can power up your tailgate party right inside the truck. No wonder a CR tester said the Maverick is a “high-value offering that puts the ‘fun’ in functional.”
