It’s Saturday in September, and on college campuses across America, a ritual is taking place: the beloved tailgate party.

No university football game would be complete without pre-game festivities in a sea of team colors.  I love football, yet it’s taken me nearly 40 years to finally be a part of this much-loved ceremony.

I know, I know – never been tailgating!?!  But my school didn’t have a football team.  I’ve wandered around a few pre-game celebrations, but I’ve always felt like a tourist instead of a local.

This weekend, I joined the ranks of the Mississippi State faithful in a pre (and post) game party featuring a matchup against SEC powerhouse Auburn.  Since my in-laws taught at the Mississippi State, it was my first legitimate connection with a school, and the first time I’d had a home at a tailgate party.

Here are 5 things I learned from my first tailgating experience.

1. Tailgating Doesn’t Require a Truck.  But it Does Require a Tent

If you’re tailgating without a tent, then you’re not doing it right.  True tailgaters have a freestanding awning (99% with team colors and logos) to protect revelers from sun and rain.  But in truth the tent is used to mark your territory.  At Mississippi State, tailgaters claim the best spots at 4:00 PM the day before the game.  If you’re partying without one, you’re really just standing around.

2. Mini Generators Are All the Rage

How else do you power your flat screen television, refrigerator, stereo and satellite dish?  The most popular generators are about the size of a gas can and run silently, so fans can watch pre and post game shows (or even the game itself if tickets are hard to come by).  Generators are no longer bulky or loud, and they don’t flavor the food with thick clouds of exhaust.

3. It’s All About Cooking the Meat

Amanda’s high school classmate, Thomas, told me he starts cooking pulled pork and brisket at 7:00 AM on game days.  That’s some serious commitment to preparing meat that will be devoured in 10 seconds flat.  Ah, but what a marvelous 10 seconds it is!  Tailgating without grilling meat is like going to Disneyland and skipping the rides.  Grills range in size from tiny hibachis to smokers that look like old-fashioned safes stolen by outlaws in the Wild West.

4. Customize Your Space

This one goes way beyond a few tablecloths or banners.  Many tailgate spaces are decorated with live plants, and furniture that resemble an uber-fan’s living room.  Most tailgate parties feature low-impact games like Cornhole or Ladderball that can be played one-handed (the other hand holds the beer, of course).  The more university themed swag, the bigger commitment to the team, and the more fans will walk by and wish they were part of your party.

5. Pearls are Appropriate

At least at SEC games they are.  I laughed at the first sorority girl I saw wearing high heels, but that was before I learned that dressing up for games is the norm.  Home games in the south are kind of like Saturday afternoon proms, with girls wearing tightly fitted dresses and fratboy pledges wearing suits.  Want to make a fortune?  Sell slinky maroon dresses in Starkville the week before a home game!