Southern game day traditions can mostly be summed up into one major Saturday event called tailgating. For those who don’t know, tailgating technically means a social event held on and around the open tailgate of a vehicle. In the south, the tradition has grown into so much more than that. College students, alumni and team fans gather together to “tailgate” and celebrate their team before the big game. Tailgating is the term used for all things that happen pre-game including eating in tents full of food, cooking on pickup trucks hauling grills, and of course, wearing your game day outfits! At 8.28 Boutique, we love celebrating and getting all decked out for whatever special day is on the calendar. In the spirit of fall game day, we’re here to share and explain some game day traditions that stand the test of time.
The Food
From pimento cheese to BBQ, hot dogs to hamburgers, the choice of food on game day is one of the most important parts of celebrating. In the south, lots of celebrating revolves around BBQ but different regions like different types of meat, sauces and sides. Texans love mesquite-grilled beef brisket served with a spicy and tangy vinegar-based sauce. Georgians prefer pulled pork with a sweet tomato-based sauce. Sides range from coleslaw and potato salad to mac and cheese and collard greens. So depending on the region you’re celebrating in, you will find a variety of food, but there’s usually some form of BBQ involved in a game day celebration.
The Games
Most southern fans start celebrating game day early… as early as 6 AM. That means there’s a lot of time that can be spent lounging, catching up with fellow fans and playing games. The most iconic tailgating game is corn hole. You can purchase these games at many different retailers or you can build your own. Check out this DIY tutorial on how to build your own cornhole boards. Other games include flip cup, horseshoes, ring toss and jenga.
Getting All Decked Out
Game day in the south is also all about getting dressed up in your team’s colors! Sport your mascot in the form of earrings, on shirts and dresses and, of course, accessories. Our Game Day Collection features items for teams from all over the south! This year we have beaded purse straps for just about every team! We also have earrings that make the perfect statement and dresses that tie your whole outfit together.
Team Traditions
Every team has a tradition that’s unique to them and it usually involves a long story or an old wives’ tale. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Echoing through The Swamp on fall Saturdays is the cheer, Two Bits, that a retired insurance salesman named George Edmondson Jr. started in 1949
- A&M’s tradition of men kissing their dates after each Aggies touchdown at boisterous Kyle Field
- Before UGA games, fans young and old come to have their picture taken with the venerable Uga, the bulldog that sits on his throne on the Sanford Stadium sidelines
- The Tiger Walk at Auburn, which began in the 1960s, is a tradition where kids greet the team and get autographs before games
- Before games begin in Fayetteville, the Razorbacks perform the Calling the Hogs ritual with that familiar “Woo Pig Sooie”
- Besides the Sandstorm rally before kickoff, the shiny red South Carolina cockabooses (the word you get when combining Gamecocks and cabooses) sit on a rail line outside Williams-Brice Stadium
Sport your team colors and dress in the 8.28 Game Day Collection! While you’re celebrating and making fun family traditions, share your celebrations on Instagram and tag @shop.8.28boutique and #TheDressPlace so we can celebrate with you!
