The 111th Grey Cup is set to take place on November 17, 2024, in Vancouver, and it’s shaping up to be a thrilling event. BC Place will host this iconic Canadian football championship and will draw fans from all over the country.
The excitement of this event does not just stay within the stadium; Vancouver will come alive with tailgate parties and festivities throughout the week leading up to the game.
These tailgate parties have become a part of the Grey Cup Festival that brings vibrant energy to the city, with food, music, and live entertainment fueling the festivities. However, these tailgate parties can only be enjoyed to the fullest if you have access to a reliable power source.
Keep reading to learn how to have a perfect tailgate party with portable power stations!
Origin of Tailgate Parties and its Highlights
Tailgating is a tradition that dates back to the late 19th century. One of the earliest examples of this tradition comes from the first college football game between Rutgers and Princeton in 1869, where fans reportedly gathered to eat and socialize before the game began.
With the rise of automobiles in the early 20th century, tailgating evolved into a more organized and social event, with fans gathering around the open tailgates of their cars to cook food and share in the excitement of the upcoming match.
Here are some of the highlights of tailgate parties that make it an extremely attractive event:
Community Atmosphere
One of the most notable aspects of tailgate parties is the community atmosphere they create.
People from various backgrounds come together to cheer for their favorite teams, which creates an inclusive and festive environment. It is a common practice for tailgaters to share food and stories that solidify their connections that last beyond the game day.
Social Contact
Tailgate parties allow participants to broaden their social circle by connecting with a diverse range of people gathered for the event. This is a way to engage in friendly conversations, participate in fun activities, and enjoy the general atmosphere of the event with like-minded people.
Engaging in friendly banters during these events is also a great way to make new connections.
Flexibility and Creativity
There is no limit to what fun activities you can include in the tailgating parties. These events are well-known for their flexible and creative environment, and you can easily take them in any direction you want.
For instance, some people can turn these parties into simple picnics while others can follow some themed decorations. Fans take pride in personalizing their tailgate experience as they bring unique food, games, and entertainment to enhance the atmosphere.
Connection to the Game
Perhaps the most important aspect of tailgating is its connection to the game. Tailgate parties are an extension of the excitement that comes with game day. Fans arrive early to bask in the pre-game atmosphere, often setting up hours before kickoff to enjoy food, drinks, and activities.
This buildup adds to the anticipation and makes the entire game day experience more memorable.
Different Types of Tailgating Parties in Canada
Here are the three major types of tailgating parties in Canada:
Family Tailgate Party
Family tailgating in Canada is a great way to bring people of all ages together. These tailgate parties revolve around family-friendly activities, and the focus is on creating a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can enjoy themselves equally.
In these gatherings, alcohol consumption is usually kept at minimal, and non-alcoholic drinks like soda or juice are more common.
College-Style Tailgate Party
College-style tailgating in Canada is a high-energy affair that draws inspiration from similar events in the United States but with a unique Canadian flair. These tailgate gatherings are usually centered around football games and involve lively gatherings with loud music, barbecued food, and games like cornhole or beer pong.
Sports Event Tailgate Party
Tailgating at sports events is a growing tradition in Canada.
Before any major sporting event, these parties kick off around the stadium as fans gather to support their teams. These tailgates often feature elaborate setups with portable grills, sound systems, and sometimes even TV screens for pre-game entertainment.
The focus is on celebrating the sport, and tailgaters share food, drinks, and team spirit in the hours leading up to the game.
Electric Appliances Commonly Used at Canadian Sports Tailgate Parties
Let’s have a look at some common appliances used in Canadian sports tailgating events.
Portable Refrigerator
Keeping food and drinks cool is a key part of any sporting tailgate party. A portable refrigerator allows tailgaters to store perishables like meats, dairy, and cold drinks without relying on ice coolers.
LED Lights
As the party extends into the evening, LED lights become non-negotiable. These energy-efficient lights provide the necessary illumination to keep the celebration going after sunset. They are easy to set up, weather-resistant, and provide the necessary lighting solutions for outdoor events.
Portable Electric Grill
Portable electric grills allow tailgaters to cook up their favorite game-day foods like burgers, hot dogs, and skewers and take the enjoyment to a whole new level. Unlike traditional charcoal grills, electric grills are more convenient and safer in areas where open flames may be restricted by local regulations.
Portable Speakers
Music sets the tone for any good tailgate party, and portable speakers ensure that everyone enjoys this music. These speakers are often Bluetooth-enabled and battery-powered, which means you need a reliable power source for them.
Electric Heater
For tailgating during colder months or evening games, an electric heater is a lifesaver. It helps to maintain a cozy atmosphere so that the fun is not restricted.
All these and every other electronic device you would need during the sporting tailgating events can easily be powered by portable power solutions.
But what is a portable power station, and how does it work? Let’s see.
Portable Power Station Working Mechanism and Why is it a Good Choice?
A portable power station is essentially a large battery pack designed to store and deliver electrical energy to various devices. Its working mechanism is straightforward: the station is charged using either AC outlets, car chargers, or solar panels.
Once fully charged, it stores the electricity in its battery and distributes this energy according to your power needs.
Here’s why a portable power station is an optimal choice for any tailgate party:
Easy to Transport
Portable power stations are extremely lightweight and compact, which makes them a perfectly portable solution. Good-quality generators come with handles and wheels and can easily be transported to your desired location.
On top of this, these generators do not require heavy fuel tanks, unlike traditional gas generators.
Quiet Operation
The noiseless operation of these generators also adds to their appeal.
They do not bring any bothersome noises to your tailgate parties and allow you to focus on the lively nature of the event. On the other hand, traditional power stations add unnecessary noises to the event, sometimes even more than 100 dB.
Reliable Power for Multiple Devices
A key advantage of portable power stations is their ability to power multiple devices simultaneously. With a range of output options, such as USB ports and AC outlets, you can charge or run various tailgate essentials like portable fridges, electric grills, and speakers reliably.
Weather-Resistant Options
Just in case you need to attend a tailgate party in extreme weather conditions, you don’t have to worry about these portable power stations as they can endure tough weather conditions with ease.
This is one of the reasons why these power stations continue to get famous among outdoor enthusiasts who trust this device for their excursions throughout the year.
Jackery’s Portable Power Stations
Jackery brings two top-tier portable power stations for tailgating parties. Both these generators are famous for their reliable, efficient, and safe operations. Let’s have a look at both of them:
Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro is a mighty powerpack that will essentially help you go off-grid for a long period.
This is the best portable power station for huge electricity needs and comes with a colossal 3024Wh capacity and a 3000W output, which enables it to power any tailgate power equipment you would need.
This portable power station comes with the following features:
Ultra-fast charging: This power station can easily be charged using six SolarSaga 100W panels in almost 6 to 7.5 hours, thanks to MPPT technology, which ensures maximum solar charging efficiency.
You can also charge it from your home AC outlet in just 2.4 hours before going to the tailgate party.
Portability and design: The 3024Wh capacity of this generator does not limit its portability. It only weighs 63.93 lbs and features double wheels and a pull rod that allows you to roll it like a suitcase.
This design makes it convenient to move around the tailgate site and place it wherever needed.
Cold weather functionality: The Jacery Explorer 3000 Pro portable power station is designed to function in temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F). This means that you can use it for tailgating parties in any weather condition.
All-around safety: This portable power source has an upgraded Battery Management System (BMS) with 12 forms of protection. Jackery also offers an extended 5-year warranty when purchased from the official website, which gives you peace of mind that you are investing in the right place.
Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus portable power station is a slightly smaller and more budget-friendly option for tailgaters. However, this does not mean that you have to compromise on your power needs, as this generator still can power almost all the tailgate party appliances.
Let’s see what are the top features this camping power station brings to the table:
Good and Expandable Capacity: This power station has a base capacity of 1264Wh and 2000W output, allowing it to handle essential appliances such as portable speakers, electric grills, refrigerators, and even small TVs.
Not to mention that you can also expand its battery capacity up to 5kWh with the help of three additional battery packs.
Versatile charging options: The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus portable power stations offer quick recharging times across multiple methods. It can be fully charged in 1.7 hours using a wall outlet or 4.5 hours with four SolarSaga 100W solar panels, giving you flexibility depending on where you are.
It also supports car charging, and you can easily top it up in almost 7 hours using the car battery.
Durability and longevity: The LiFePO4 battery cells of the Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus portable power station will make it last for more than ten years. This means that you can use this generator outdoors as well as for home emergency backup solutions for more than a decade to come.
Safe and efficient: This generator also incorporates top safety features that will protect your electronic devices against over-voltage, short circuits, and excessive temperatures. The ChargeShield technology ensures stable output and powers your electronic devices without posing any hazard.
Both these generators come with multiple output ports, which will allow you to run numerous appliances at the same time. Not to mention that these generators can also be controlled using a mobile app, which will help you monitor the battery consumption patterns right from your mobile phone.
Conclusion
Jackery’s excellence in the generator and solar power industry is evident from the fact that they have sold more than 4 million generators since their inception in 2012. One of the primary reasons they continue to bring innovative solar solutions to the market is their dedication to research, which enables them to make all the products different from others.
Whether you need a portable power station for a tailgating event, home energy backup, outdoor pursuits, or any other portable electricity needs, they have solar generators ready for every situation you can think of.