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’!

For small or big universities tailgating is part of the game. At Towson, they play at Unitas Stadium and the tailgating parking lot fills up early. Cold and windchill didn’t stop the party.