Before most people in Buffalo are even awake, the parking lots around Highmark Stadium begin to come alive for home and away games. Cars slowly roll in one after another, forming long lines in hopes to get set up for the renowned Bills tailgate.
As soon as engines turn off, people jump out with folding chairs, coolers full of beer, bags full of food and folding tables that they’re ready to jump through. Some move quickly, as if they have a routine they have followed for years while others wander around looking for a familiar face or the perfect spot to set up.
The air fills with the smells of the grill as soon as the first sparks hit the charcoal. You can smell the burgers, Sahlens hot dogs and even that buffalo chicken wing dip in the crockpots. There is a mix of laughter, music and the constant chatter of fans predicting how the game will go.
By mid-morning, the lot looks like a giant celebration for the Bills. People throw footballs across, someone plays a speaker loud enough for everyone to hear and you always hear a random group of fans cheering because someone they know finally arrived. You can’t forget the jumping through a table tradition, where you jump onto a folding table in hopes of breaking it. You get pulled into the excitement everywhere even if you came alone.
As time moves closer to kickoff, the atmosphere reaches a different level. More people pour in from every direction. The smell of food gets stronger, the laughter gets louder and the sense of excitement feels almost electric. But once the cleanup begins, you feel the energy shift. As people begin packing up their tents, it becomes less about the tailgate and more about what is waiting inside the stadium.
Walking toward the entrance feels like marching with a giant family. We all come together shouting chants that echo throughout the entire stadium. “The Bills make me wanna shout!” Is a personal favorite of mine that often comes directly after the Bills score a touchdown. The crowd moves as one with the same goal in mind: to support their home team.
Fans are loud, energetic and ready to cheer with everything they have. This tradition is not just something to do before the game, it is a reminder of what Buffalo pride feels like and why the Bills community is so strong. Everyone deserves to experience a Buffalo Bills tailgate at least once in their lives. Go Bills.
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Photo: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
