We check in with The Commissioner of Tailgating, Joe Cahn.

Today, we chat about his appearance on Fox and Friends, the Bing National Tailgating Championship (which starts in Houston on November 7th), 3 things we need to know about The Commish, a tailgating tip for beginners, a tailgating recipe The Commish loves right now, the next Port of Call and more.

Listen to The Commish here.

Tricked out USC ‘57 Chevy.

Getting ready for the big tailgate here in Ft. Worth to celebrate the premier of “Tailgate Takedown” tonite on TLC at 10:00 PM Eastern. Marinating, slicing and dicing . . . Two episodes tonite and more on the way. So fire up those coals and enjoy the premier tonite.

P.S. Tailgating.com re-launches tonight!

Got a great tailgate at the Pro Bowl?  Hit me up.  

On my way to the Pro Bowl to tailgate at the beach.  Last year went to Reno and had so much fun and food had to go back.  They shut down downtown so fans come out and tailgate.  Great concept and it worked and was great. 

This year it will be better and if you’re in the neighborhood, join the Commish at the Silver Legacy for the 2nd Annual Biggest Little Tailgate Party in Downtown Reno.  Mingle with former professional football players and try your chance in numberous contests including a $1 MILLION Football Toss where one “fan” will win a chance to throw for the big money, a Charity Football Throw and a Media Challenge.  Dress the part and win prizes for “Super Fan 2009″ and ”Sexiest Fan” and bring your tailgate setup for a chance to win “Most Spirited”.  Enjoy a marching band and cheerleading exhibition, including the UNR Cheerleaders and mascot Alphie along with “You Be the Judge” Chili Cook-Off featuring chili recipes from Silver Legacy, Eldorado, Circus Circus, Harrah’s and Cal Neva.  Budweiser will also be on hand with their Bud Girls serving up drinks and swag and will be hosting the Beer Pong Olympics under the Reno Arch!

 New events just added include the Madden 2008 Xbox Challenge sponsored by Red Bull with a snowboard grand prize and the Coors Light Circus Circus Beer-lympics.  A three-heat, three-person team relay race that takes place at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.   

http://silverlegacyreno.com/entertainment/biggest_little_tailgate_party/

Last year’s photos:

Cheerleading competition

Bring your couch, if the potato fits

Biggest little tailgate

No game?  Who cares!

Still the Star, coach start me now

A million dollar toss

Feeding time at the zoo…maybe the dirtiest eater in the league

Commish judging Glen’s chili

Big Bad Conrad

Conrad and Phil trying out for cheerleaders

Tailgating Reno Style

o home team, no home field advantage.  That’s what happens at a Super Bowl.  It is a time to celebrate in another city and explore the best of what Tampa has to offer.  For some its time to get out of the snow and just feel warm all over.

Tampa has some of the best tailgating areas in the NFL.  The training camp, stadium parking, neighborhood lawns across from the stadium and the best tailgating location this side of the Grove — Al Lopez Park.  Most of us won’t be tailgating around the country but will be partying before and during the big game.  So while some might be Steeler fans and some Cardinal fans, we are all fans of football and tailgating. 

Go team — this is the way they tailgating in Pittsburgh and Glendale.  Who’s the best?  Let me know.

And as we party lets start planning for next year when we will be in the Big Game.

Where howdy met hi y’all.  Where smokers met cold appetizers.

 Where cowboys and cowgirls met gentlemen and ladies.  Where Texas met the Deep South.  This was the Cotton Bowl.  The last to be played at the Texas State Fair Grounds.  (Next year Jerry World)  What a great way to say good-bye to a rich history and tradition.

Tailgating is different at a bowl game.  No home team (although in this case Tech was the home team), fans travelling for miles and not having their regular tailgating equipment and nobody having their tailgating spot.  With all that going against them this was one of the best bowl tailgates I have been to.  The hospitality of both teams was outstanding.  The food — in one corner Texas with smokers and big girls and the other corner southern fried chicken, boiled peanuts and way too much food.

That everybody was having a good time, no trash talking and sharing food and friendship, well the Cotton Bowl couldn’t have had two better teams to end a long and rich tradition at the stadium.

I have to admit I love Ole Miss tailgating.  Not only because of the Grove but also because of the hospitality (Karen and I honeymooned at the Grove).  But at the Cotton Bowl I fell in love with Teach and although never having been there (over 500 games in 13 years), next year it’s going on the schedule.

A Red Raider, a Rebel and an Aggie go to a Bowl game…wait a minute, an Aggie?  Didn’t get the memo

Some fans wear their loyalty on their sleeves or bodies.

Neighbors get together

Appetizers at a Tech tailgate

1st course at a Rebel tailgate

Decorate and show your colors

Leave no doubt, wear your colors.

 The whole family comes to the game (note who gets the big chairs)

Tech fans have big Texas appetites.

There is no age limit for a tailgate, even if you keep your little brother in the trunk.

Boiled peanuts and okra at the party must mean Ole Miss.

Hoddy Toddy!

Dad said he would get good tickets, we can see everything from the roof.

Go West —and bring the Grove with you.

Bigger is better at a Tech Tailgate.

Fashion is always important at a Tech Tailgate.

Commish Tip #7 — Know where the potties in a box are.

 Tech smoker that’s really smokin’!

Take time to smell the roses or eat the oranges.  It’s not only the destinations — the tailgates — but the journey that I love.  We live in such a great country from sea to shining sea, not only the beauty of the country but stopping to visit with the people.  Keep the campaign alive.  This week, leaving Tampa, I stopped for FRESH FLORIDA oranges and grapefruit and got a lesson on what a VT Hokie was.  And where the nickname globlers came from.  So next time on your travels, don’t ask “are we there yet?”  Ask “where can I get some great local food?”

Fresh Florida Oranges — the best.

Virginia Nation — want to know more, ask a Hokie.

What a great and diverse country we live in.  Snow from Seattle to Foxborough, cold and frigid weather everywhere — well not everywhere.  The Commish was in Tampa, 76 and sunny.  Hey somebody had to be at a tailgate where shorts and Bucs tee shirts were the dress of the day.  The other dress of the day was the uniforms of the US Marines, there, not to protect, but to serve.  Time for Toys for Tots.  I don’t know if statistics are kept, but I think Tampa fans are at the top of their generosity during the Holiday season.  One tailgating group, Bucfanz.com, collect bikes for Toys for Tots and this was another banner year.  The cars, the grills, the fans and the weather make Tampa one of the best tailgating locations in the NFL.  Al Lopez Park (acxross the street from the stadium) is still my best location to tailgate. 

I love Florida in December!

Putting on game day face with Big Nasty and crew.

ATrain Express, a ‘72 VW Bus — one of the best in the NFL.

The best our country has, helping in the Toys for Tots drive.  God Bless America and thanks to the men and women who serve everywhere.

One great grill.

One Great Griller.

Location, location, location

December 21st, break out the suntan lotion and the food.

Upscale First Course.

Followed by the grilled oysters and the ahi tuna for course 3 and 4 to be followed by _______

Al Lopez Park — the most beautiful tailgating location in the NFL.

The Marines have landed to pick up bikes from Bucfanz.com.

Buster Levin, my little nephew helps load the bikes.

Bowl gamea are a different animal. In this case Bulls and Tigers.  At most bowl games there isn’t a home team, but here, USF is only 30 miles away from Tropicana Field and the USF fans came to tailgate. Tee shirts and shorts are the uniform of the day even Santa wants to be in Florida.  Memphis fans came down from Graceland and I think I saw Elvis. Two team competing, but the big winner—–Clearwater/St. Petersburg.

The commish hangs with parents of Memphis defensive standout Josh Weaver.

Joe and Bulls fans Jason and Edwin aka DJ Wingo S.I.

The competition isn’t only on the field — but in the parking lot your pride goes to your head.

Team pride can really go to your head — no Bull!

The bands….

…and cheerleaders add to the parking lost festivities.

 The mascots mingle…

…and add to the activities 

And of course the tailgating — home.

And visitors.