Tailgate Warriors… Come Out and Play!

Football! The season couldn't have come fast enough. I was getting sick hearing nothing but politics and hopscotching around TV reruns.  But-- hallelujah!-- it's time once again for Pac-12 and pro ball (Go Big Blue!)-- clear the boogie boards and swimming noodles out of the man cave, kick the PS3 crap off the floor and fill the chest freezer with wings, poppers, bacon and shredded cheese. And more importantly, get ready for the blacktop!

The tailgate party is a sacred ritual, much like a holy pilgrimage or pantsing the new kid. And like any ritual that requires serious reflection, one needs to decide how they will prepare for it. For example, go with the beer shorts, don't go with the beer shorts? Obviously, if the beer helmet is out, it leaves you looking for a viable alternative. Also boning up on your cornholing and knowing the ACO regulation cornhole rules.

To throw a successful tailgate party for a bunch of your swellest buds, you'll want to bring awesome gear. Of course a lot of what you bring depends on your power source, if any. A gas-powered generator can bust your options wide open-- and there really are a ton to consider: a crock pot for the Lil' Smokies or nacho cheese sauce, an electric grill for burgers and dogs, a portable oven for pizza, a mini-fridge, a heater or fan--depending on the weather, a string of lights or lanterns, a radio or other sound system, an LCD TV with portable satellite receiver, a PA ("attention, fans of other team..."}, a blender or margarita machine, coffee maker... hey, you could be there as long as 12 hours, man. Gear up for any possibility.

That said, my recommendation is getting the Chicago Electric 3050 Watt 7 HP Gas Generator. It runs quiet, it's great on gas and it's got all the juice you need to make it a helluva party! This is Harbor Freight's most popular generator, and the proof is in the praise:

"I use this to power my refrigerators and freezer during outages, as well as charge and run needed electronics. It is very nice for this application since you can run for 24 hours on 10 gallons. She is very quiet... fires up easily and runs smoothly. Very nice product. "

Another customer had this to say:

" I use it mainly (for) hunting and camping, but have used it for power outage. It run a 5th wheel camper AC during day and furnance at nights with TV, frig, lights, PC, water pump, with no problems, and the 4-gallon tank runs it for approx 6 hrs. with over 50% pull on it. A sweet generator for the$$$ for sure. "

Besides football tailgate parties, this generator's the perfect companion for rave parties, swap meets and fairs, rock concert tailgates, camping, and as I previously pointed out, areas of paranormal activity.

While you're at it, I suggest you pick up an 8" Never-Flat Generator Wheel Kit or a slightly-more-economical Mover's Dolly along with a handy-dandy Swivel Handle. You'll thank me, I promise. And finally, grab a 10' x 10' Popup Canopy while you're there. Unless burn is your team color.