It’s tailgating season.

Gridiron gourmets are all fired up and ready to grill in stadium parking lots and picnic areas across the state and nation. And now you can plan your own tailgate party with expert advice from Vicksburg’s own Kristin Gluck.

Kristin, an old hand at tailgating, will lead a session on the subject Tuesday at the Southern Cultural Center from 10 a.m. until noon. She will demonstrate clever tailgating ideas and share several recipes. You will enjoy also your own “Tailgate” during the class, so you’ll want to go to the class “hungry and thirsty.” Just dress out in your favorite team attire, bring a friend and your school spirit, and enjoy Kristin’s fun-filled class. Registration is $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers.

Pennsylvania natives

Now, Kristin is not a Southern “tailgater.” She and her husband, Steve, come from the Brandywine river valley, a region in Pennsylvania that takes its tailgating very seriously.

“There’s an air of formality and passion for great food at Steeplechase and polo matches. It’s an area also well known for its wonderful artwork by the Wyeth family,” Kristin added.

The Glucks and their three children moved to Vicksburg five years ago, and they all express their delight with the South’s hospitality. Kristin’s business, By Request, offers party foods, light meals and gift baskets, and she also has cooking classes for those who want to learn all about the art of tailgating.

Kristin enjoys fund raising and offers a portion of her profits to support the arts. She also offers for sale frozen food items at Riverbend Galleries.

Tailgate recipes and gear

Today we have several tailgating recipes for our readers to try, from Grilled Shrimp Cocktail to Sausage Tomato Soup and even creative cocktails. So fire up the grill and get ready for your tailgate parties with tasty recipes and recommendations for tailgate gear.

Mojo

Charm your tailgate guests with this menu.

Cool Cuban Mojo sauce and manchego cheese and red pepper relish are versatile sauces for all grilled meats, but what better for a tailgate than a grilled hot dog.

The sauces are easily transportable in a Mason jar, from which you can serve.

A cool muddled mojito or fresh iced tea will cool you off on a hot day. Learn how to make a flavored ginger syrup to liven up your refreshments.

A social event

In North America, a tailgate party is a social event held on and around the open tailgate of a vehicle. Tailgating often involves consuming beverages and grilling food. Tailgate parties usually occur in the parking lots at stadiums and arenas before, and occasionally after or during, sporting events and rock concerts. In one case (at least) tailgate parties are regularly held during the summer season of the Santa Fe Opera, especially for the season’s Opening Night. People attending such a party are said to be tailgating. Many people participate even if their vehicles do not have tailgates.

Tailgate parties have become popular in the United States as social events that take place in stadium parking lots before football games. The use of the tailgate party has spread to the pre-game festivities at sporting events of all kinds (e.g. football, basketball and baseball) and is also used at non-sporting events such as weddings and other non-sports-related barbecue gatherings.

Tailgating tips

• Prepare foods ahead of time and have them wrapped, packed and ready to roll.

• Have a plan to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

• Stick to finger foods if possible, and make sure they are in manageable pieces.

• Bring along plenty of napkins, or better yet, a roll of paper towels.

• If utensils are necessary, bring disposable ones, including toothpicks.

• Do not forget sturdy, disposable cups for any drinks.

• Bring along a tablecloth to spread your wares upon and a bag (or 2) for your trash.

• Warm up hot drinks just before leaving and bring along in an insulated jug.