The Personalities Of Tailgating Lots In Philadelphia
It's week nine of the NFL 2012 season and Monday Night Football has the Philadelphia Eagles traveling to New Orleans to do battle with the Saints. Eagles fans, weary of hurricane clean up and power outages, may be cheering from home this week, but they are gearing up for the next home game and tailgating at the Linc.
Tailgating in Philly has something for everyone with a festive atmosphere, eye-catching tailgate party set-ups and tantalizing aromas of great grub choices like sausages, cheesesteaks, grilled chicken, burgers, shrimp, sliders and more. But while food, fun and fellowship are key ingredients for a successful tailgate party, so is finding the parking lot that best fits your tailgating needs. To find the right party for you, get familiar with the personalities of the lots themselves before seeking your parking space.
'Know before you go' is the best way to save time and avoid the headaches of driving around when tailgating in Philadelphia.
Time To arrive: Tailgating set-up can begin five hours before kick-off in most lots that allow tailgating, except for Citizens Bank Park which opens three hours before the game. As a rule of thumb, get there early.
Which Lots Allow Tailgating: The NovaCare complex and lots Q through W do not allow tailgating, and while Citizens State Bank opens three hours before the game, it is reserved for only Eagles Fan Zone ticket holders. Tailgating is restricted to the lots south of Pattison Avenue and east of Darien Street and includes lots A through H, J, K and L, as well as M and N.
Grilling: For some tailgating fans, grilling out is half the fun, but not all lots allow it. The Wells Fargo lots and lots M and N allow grilling, and tailgaters are responsible for safely removing all charcoal and coals after the game. Citizens State Bank parking lot does not allow grilling.
Reserved Parking: The package plan for Eagles Fan Zone includes parking at Citizens State Bank, game tickets and two hours of food, drink and special activities before the game. Lots J, K, L, M and N all allow tailgating, but are reserved parking lots.
Family Friendly Lots: Lots A-H or J, K and L can be considered more "family friendly" lots. Here you'll find a blend of everyone, from the die-hard weekend warriors and their elaborate set-ups of tents and their cherished (and coveted) Eagles-themed vans, RVs and buses to the quintessential tailgater, passing on a family tradition of food, fun and fellowship to the next generation.
The Jetro Lot: The Jetro lot is a reserved lot that includes lots M and N. A favorite spot for tailgaters over 21 years of age, it may not always be appropriate for all family members. This lot is home to some of the professional tailgating services, who for around $30, provide a wide variety of mouthwatering food with a generous side of fun and games, including flip cup tables and beer pong.
Check out Tailgate Fan to keep the party going at tailgatefan.cbslocal.com.
Christy Ayala holds a Masters of Science in Recreation Administration and has managed programs for the YMCA, YWCA, and recreation facilities in St. Louis, Chicago, Honolulu, and Philadelphia areas. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
