Tailgating SEC Style, 2019: Georgia at Vanderbilt

The hot August temperatures didn’t deter a brigade of energetic SEC football fans from venturing to Nashville, Tennessee on Labor Day weekend as the Georgia Bulldogs faced the Vanderbilt Commodores. There’s nothing like tailgating in the Southeastern Conference and the 2019 edition of Tailgating SEC Style kicked off in style.

To be candid, I was unsure I would embark on the third season of covering SEC tailgating. However, once I received an email from Marc Menke, the chief game day chef and one of the members of the “You Had Me At Bacon” Vandy tailgating crew, I couldn’t pass up the offer to enjoy incredible food, spirited drinks and the opportunity to meet some fun SEC football fans.

What’s the Best Aspect of SEC Tailgating: The People

If you asked me what the most significant benefit of writing about SEC tailgating is – well, the answer is simple – it’s all the incredible and hospitable people I meet at every game.

A  6:30 p.m. kickoff meant an entire day of tailgating was in play. I knew the Vandy tailgate area wouldn’t hit its stride until about three o’clock that afternoon so that left ample time to meet some Georgia fans who I knew would start their tailgating activities around Bloody Mary o’clock. Just how many Georgia fans made the trip? A lot!

The Bulldog Playpen

The Holiday Inn on West End Avenue and right next to the Vanderbilt Stadium was Bulldog Central for the weekend. I thought an early morning stroll through the parking lot might give me the chance to talk Georgia football with a few diehard fans getting an early jumpstart.

Only moments after walking through the hotel’s rear parking around 10:30 a.m., I spotted a couple with their Georgia canopy covering the tailgate of their pickup. Tina and Randy Mason, who own a handful of food franchises in North Georgia were preparing for the day. 

The Mason’s attend most away games and were smart enough to book their reservations a year in advance and at a much lower rate than most Bulldog fans paid in an exploding city whose hotel rates already rival and exceed many larger cities.

RELATED: Tailgating SEC Style 2018: The Grove, Zebra Tent, at Ole Miss Is Tailgate Heaven

One of the questions I ask visiting fans is what local attractions or restaurants they visit. Nashville has a plethora of quality restaurants, both old and new, and Randy told me about the excellent steak they enjoyed at Sperry’s in Belle Meade. Sperry’s is indeed a Nashville institution. The dark, wood stained atmosphere at Sperry’s has an incredible reputation for great steaks and is known as a gathering place for Nashville’s “blue-blood” families for generations. 

Tina and Randy were kind enough to adopt me while I hung out in the Georgia tailgate pit and treated my guest and me with the insatiable Southern hospitality found below the Mason Dixon line. 

Mobile Tailgating At Its Finest

A few spots from the Mason’s I spotted one of the most beautiful RV buses I’ve seen at any tailgate. Jan and Ray Wiggins drove their decked out Newell bus from Augusta, Georgia and were preparing to host around a couple of dozen guests that afternoon.

I introduced myself to Ray while he was setting up tables and chairs around their pull-out, exterior TV. He was kind enough to invite me inside where I met his lovely wife Jan, who just happened to be cutting the crust from a tray full of pimento cheese sandwiches. 

If you haven’t made the connection, then I’ll give you another hint. (Pimento cheese, Augusta) If you need another clue, what is the most popular food item at the most famous PGA tournament in the country? That’s right, the infamous pimento cheese sandwiches at the Masters. The Wiggins have owned several RV’s, yet I can’t imagine a more luxurious way to tailgate at any campus. 

There’s Always a Diehard and Rowdy Visiting Tailgating Crowd

I didn’t have to venture far to find about thirty Georgia fans who if I had to guess, were indulging in their second cocktail of the day. Heather Wheatley and Trent Woods were part of this group, most of whom live in or around Athens. I spotted this group since all the ladies were wearing their best hot-weather, game day, fashionable Bulldog attire.

Trent, who happens to work for the University of Georgia, was probably the most photographed Georgia fan of the day. Three days before the event his mom painted a Bulldog mascot on Trent’s bald head, and every time I turned around, a group of Georgia fans was asking Trent to pose so they could take home a photo of his artistic scalp. 

Vandyville Tailgating

Although the temperatures had exceeded 90 degrees, Commodore fans started to fill in the long stretch of white tents along the closed-off Natchez Trace street managed by Tailgate Guys. Earlier that day, I ran into Miles Charlie, who just happened to be employed by the Vanderbilt Athletic Department and in years past was in charge of Vandyville. Miles provided me with lots of info about Vandy tailgating and was popular with many Vandy fans. 

RELATED:Tailgating SEC Style: Vandy Kicks Off the 2018 Tailgating Season

You Had Me At Bacon

Besides football, food is an undeniable attraction at any SEC tailgate, and this group always produces a game-day spread. In addition to the superb grilling skills of Menke, Michael Fenswick is a professional chef who runs his own catering business in Nashville. These gentlemen had prepared the grill for some chicken breast, seasoned pork, bratwurst, and “Bulldog Bacon Bites.”

This group of dedicated Vandy fans has been tailgating in the same area for several years. A mutual friend introduced us three years ago and said if I wanted to get a feel for Vandyville tailgating, this group always produced a delicious spread. 

Another team member, Ken Rebman, is the owner of Czanns, an independent craft brewery in Nashville. Rebman brought a keg of Czann’s Pale Ale, which is a lighter brew perfect for a hot game day. The brewery also produces several other beers so if you’re looking for a local craft brewery, make sure you stop by their tasting room at 505 Lea Avenue in Nashville. 

One of the pre-game highlights was watching a beer chugging contest between two guys that just happened to be from different parts of England. I’m amazed anyone can chug a beer so quickly. 

You Never Know Who You’ll See Tailgating

Having spent lots of time in Nashville over the past 20 years, I always run into old friends. Local attorney and former Metro Councilman Adam Dread is a fixture at Vandyville. Dread now spends lots of time in Nantucket, yet always manages to host a vibrant Vandyville tailgate tent.

Mariah, one of my absolute favorite Vandyville bartenders, was pouring some of her tasty adult concoctions and this adorable lady, certainly knows how to add “spirit” to a Commodore tailgate.

Fashion

Stroll through any SEC tailgate, and you’ll notice more than well-appointed tents and tables full of tasty game day appetizers. SEC fans, especially the gorgeous Southern Belles, showcase their taste in football fashion regardless of the temperature.

Female fans know just the right accessories to bring their school colors to life, and this weekend was no exception. Most Saturday’s throughout the SEC season are warm, and cooler temps typically felt in late October or early November. Tailgating involves lots of walking and standing so regardless of your tailgate attire; my best advice is to wear comfortable shoes.

Tailgating SEC Style, Week Two

Next week I’ll be traveling to Oxford, Mississippi as the Arkansas Razorbacks take on the Ole Miss Rebels. The game is important to both programs as each is trying to rebuild and get back to winning seasons. 

I have long said that the best tailgate in the SEC and the nation is in The Grove at Ole Miss. I usually wear the home teams colors when I cover their tailgates, but my dilemma this week is what shade of red to wear since my son is a sophomore and a KA (Kappa Alpha Order) at Arkansas. Hmmm.