4 tips for hosting an all-star tailgate 🏈

Hampton Farms has the ultimate tips for hosting a tailgate fit for champs. | Photo provided by Hampton Farms

Let’s hear it for the Badgers. Yes, it’s that time of year again: football season — which means it’s time to pull out the grill, grab some friends + start planning a winning tailgate party.

Looking to be the best tailgater in the lot? Here are four tailgating tips that will turn your tailgate into tail-great.

🎉 Rep your team with decor

Make your presence known and get your fellow fans excited about the game. Flex your team pride by decorating your car, tent, or table with team colors (or the team mascot). A fun way to take this tip to the next level: Have themed beads, tattoos, flags, and photo props for your guests.

🍂 Make sure guests are comfortable

Have portable chairs on hand so your guests can sit back, relax, and enjoy the pre-game festivities. Pro-tip: If the forecast calls for cooler weather, bring a basket of blankets to ensure it’s the party that stays cool and not your guests.

🍻 Have drink options

While cold beer is a tailgate favorite, it’s not everyone’s drink of choice. Have options like soda, seltzers, wine, water, and non-alcoholic beverages available to accommodate everyone. They’ll thank you later.

🥜 Keep the snacks stocked

Finger foods are a huge part of any tailgating event. Enter: Hampton Farms in-shell peanuts. The peanuts are roasted with flavor packed inside the shell. For those who want a kick, have Cajun Hot Nuts on hand, and, for your saltier friends, bring the Salted Fancy Peanuts. Bonus: Impress your guests with this easy to make Spicy Fried Peanut recipe.*

STOCK UP ON SNACKS

This content was created in partnership with Hampton Farms and written by Michaela Leung.*

What’s your favorite part of tailgating?

Hanging with friends
The food
The team-spirit atmosphere
Other

LET US KNOW

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Today

Essentials Drive | Tues., Sept. 27 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | RSVP of Dane County, 6501 Watts Rd. | Free | Help out neighbors in need at this drive-thru donation event. Refer to the wish list for donation suggestions.
Vinyl Night | Tues., Sept. 27 | 6-8 p.m. | Delta Beer Lab, 167 E. Badger Rd. | Free | BYOR (bring your own record) for this night out celebrating classic tunes + brews. 💿

Wednesday

The Mic on State | Wed., Sept. 28 | 9 p.m. | Comedy on State, 202 State St. | $5 | Enjoy some local greats or sign up for a chance to take the stage yourself. 🎤

Thursday

Schitt’s Creek Trivia | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 7-9 p.m. | Camp Trippalindee, 601 Langdon St. | $5 | Calling all Schittheads. Compete for prizes during this TV-themed trivia night.
Dancing Goat Gin Academy | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Dancing Goat Distillery, 909 Vineyard Dr. | $125 | Take a peek behind the curtains of the gin-making process during this boozy instructional. 🍹
Greenway Station Farmers Market | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Greenway Station, 1650 Deming Wy. | Free | Stock up on your favorite homemade goodies + locally grown produce at this outdoor market before the season closes. 🥕

Friday

Mackenzie Moore | Fri., Sept. 30 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Cambridge Winery - Madison, 1001 S. Whitney Wy. | Free | Hear an acoustic performance that is sure to pair well with your Friday fish fry.
Virtual Paint Class | Fri., Sept. 30 | 8-9:30 p.m. | Online | $45 | Sign up online + pick up materials at Wine and Design’s 167 S. Fair Oaks Ave. location for this at-home craft class. 🎨

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

55º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain

Civic

The Wisconsin Elections Commission released an educational series to help inform + guide Wisconsinites during the voting process. The “election 101" videos, accompanied by lesson plans, will also be distributed to WI public high schools. 🗳️ (Madison.com)

Community

Madison saw an increase in gas prices over the past week. After 14 weeks on the decline, prices rose by roughly 40 cents making the average cost us $3.73 per gallon. ⛽ (NBC 15)

Health

A reminder from the WI Department of Health Services — it is a requirement for health plans to cover the cost of over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for DHS members. Check here to see where vaccines + boosters are available near you. (WKOW)

State

Last week’s Wisconsin-Japan Biohealth Summit in Madison explored the impact of Japan on Wisconsin economics. With over $2 billion invested in WI in the last 8 years, Japan was the state’s seventh largest trading partner in 2021. (WiscNews)
The Department of Transportation + Gov. Tony Evers granted $8 million toward the betterment of the WI freight railway system. Leaders say this investment will not only improve our railway system but help boost the transit economy as well. 🚂 (WKOW)

Number

353. That’s Madison’s newest area code. Due to phone number limits, Wisconsin will start assigning new phone numbers with area code 353 in southwest + south central WI beginning in late 2023. (Madison.com)

Sports

Bret Bielema makes his return to Camp Randall this weekend. Since leaving the Badgers a decade ago, the University of Illinois head football coach will be back with the Illinois Fighting Illini to take on the team he once coached himself. 🏈 (WiscNews)

Listen

Former UW-Madison marching band director, Mike Leckrone, is coming to the Overture Center in October. The show, “Moments of Happiness,” will be an opportunity for Mike to recount his time as the marching band director, cabaret style. (Cap Times)

Job

We’re hiring a Sales Executive to lead our advertising relationships in Madison. This exec would oversee the entire 608 territory, pitching the most relevant and modern media offering in town while earning a competitive salary with unlimited PTO. Want more info? Learn more + apply.

Shop

Football season is in full swing. If you’re headed to a game this fall, don’t forget to pack your game-day essentials in a stadium-approved bag. This clear crossbody with 8,000+ positive reviews is a must + we also love this trendy fanny pack option.*

Eat

Skip the meal hassle with Sunbasket, a meal kit delivery service that makes healthy eating beyond easy. Sunbasket offers 10 different meal plans that work for those with dietary preferences and specific restrictions (think: paleo, gluten-free, veg, diabetes-friendly + more). Bonus: Sign up for $100 off your first four deliveries. 🥕 *

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Celebrate your birthday, 608 style.

Where to spend your birthday in Madison, WI

state street at night with capital at center of frame

At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong celebrating with a night on State. | Photo by @vitamin_ashley1111

Big news — we’re turning one year old today, Sept. 27. We haven’t decided where we’re going to celebrate our birthday yet, but these are some top contenders.

🍺 Nitty Gritty | We’d be remiss to not include this local favorite. With a bottomless birthday mug, donned with a balloon, you can sip on free specialty cocktails, beers, and soda all night. Walk-ins are welcome or join the birthday club for special deals + a free birthday burger.

🎭 Comedy on State | Take advantage of free admission the week of your birthday, complimentary tickets for a future show + of course, a free birthday mug.

🎳 Schwoegler’s | What pairs better with bowling than free drinks all night long? Celebrate with drinks on the house the day of your birthday.

We’re spending our day reminiscing on all the fun we’ve had this year. Tune in tomorrow to see our favorite moments with 608today + let us know where you like to celebrate your special day in the 608. 🎁

THE WRAP

	Today’s issue was written by Ally. Editor’s pick: I consider an open mic night at Comedy on State a must-visit for locals and visitors. The club is highly regarded in the comedy community and with a cheap cover + great drinks, it’s always a good time. Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We crunched the numbers on the cost of 608 living.
Read More

Connect with us.

Editorial: Ally Geiger, Ryan Waldman, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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