A tailgate party is a social event that takes place in the parking lot of a stadium, arena, or venue before an event starts, such as a sports game, concert, or festival. Participants gather around the open tailgate of a vehicle, often consuming alcoholic beverages while barbecuing and grilling food. The name comes from the use of the tailgate at the back of a pickup truck to transport food and drinks to the event, but many people participate in tailgate parties without actually using a truck with a tailgate. Tailgating typically involves the consumption of alcoholic beverages or soft drinks and the grilling of various meat products, such as bratwurst, hamburgers, hot dogs, buffalo wings, steak, to-go pizza, and cold salads like coleslaw or potato salad. Snacks include potato and tortilla chips with guacamole among others which are fairly common. Some tailgate parties even have their own unique food products that were created because of the event. Tailgate parties are a great way to socialize and celebrate with friends and strangers who share similar interests. They often involve music, games, and sports balls such as footballs and soccer balls. A successful tailgate requires thoughtful preparation and the right equipment, such as food, ice-cold beverages, games, decorations, and a grill. It is important to note that some events do not allow tailgating, and it is wise for people to limit any alcohol consumption to the party that precedes the event, unless a designated driver is available for the drive.