Tailgating Gear: The Season's Best Picks

Sports Fan Tailgate Table at My Tailgate

It's that time of year again, when Football fans huddle around their hubcaps at pre-game parties across the country. Whether you're an old pro at tailgating or new to the club, it's always great to find products that make party set up, clean up and everything in between easier. Here are my picks for tailgating gear, designed with convenience in mind, and guaranteed to score a touchdown at your next pigskin party.

Portable Push-Button Grill

It doesn't get much easier than the push of a button, which is how you ignite the Weber Q 200 Grill. This portable gas grill has a nice size cooking area, allowing you to quickly cook for your crowd on game day. Folding worktables with tool holders, a removable drip tray, and convenient carrying handles are just a few additional features that make this terrific for tailgating. Remember to always use gas grills outdoors in a well-ventilated area and follow manufacturer's instructions for safe grilling.

Tailgating Table in a Snap

The Sports Fan Tailgate Table, not only provides a ton of space, it hooks right up to your trailer hitch! It's easy to set up and lightweight, yet will support up to 50 lbs. of food and drink on your buffet. Two height adjustments give you the option of using the table as a bar or dining table. It's attractive, so you don't need to bring along a tablecloth - big plus on clean up! Available in red, black, gray, or white, you can match the table with many team colors. Mytailgate.com also offers a gas-powered blender, that you can rev up for Margaritas or Spiked Smoothies.

Magnetic Coozies from American Tailgater

This innovative product, available at The American Tailgater Company is one of the coolest "hands-free" inventions I've come across. Perfect for tailgating, this magnetic coozie allows you to park your beverage on a car or any metal surface. Also at American Tailgater is a ring bottle opener that slides right on your finger, and a motorized scooter cooler, where you can hop on board a cooler and ride around the parking lot making friends, and sharing a cold one.

Sports Shade, www.tailgatershade.com

Speedy Shade Set-Up

Cool and quick, the Sports Shade is an 8 ft. x 6 ft. canopy that easily attaches to your car. Weighing only 9 lbs., this retractable awning comes fully assembled, and straps on to your car's luggage rack or rear door closures. A silver coating on top of the canopy reflects heat and sun rays. Plus, you can customize the front of the shade with your name or a team cheer. Check out their website for more specific product details.

Quick and Colorful Car Windows

Crayola makes a variety of erasable markers that you can use to write phrases like "Go Team" on your car windows! They have washable gel markers that will allow you to create cool effects on glass, or use their window mega markers to make bolder designs and show your team spirit. I've found these markers at most office supply stores.

Soaring Team Spirit!

Let friends know where you are in the sea of cars, with a flag on a Telescoping Flagpole that extends up to 20 feet tall and has an attachment to fit under your car tire. You can put your own family flag on the pole or choose from a selection of NFL and NCAA banners offered at the American Tailgater online store.

For the ultimate football marketplace, head to the official NFL Shop or hit some online college or university webstores to find products for NCAA teams. While the game is #1 on a tailgater's mind, food is certainly a close second. Check out my article on Tailgating Party: Recipes and Pro Tips for more ideas, and tailgating.com is packed with great information too!