LAKEWOOD RANCH -To some tailgating is a work of art. From prepping the night before to arriving at the crack of dawn to secure a spot. Believe it or not knowing how to tailgate for Polo is a skill very few have mastered.
“Sunday Fun Day, the mixology class. We sometimes have a few Bloody Mary’s down before 10 a.m.” said Judy Hanson.
Hanson and her friends have been tailgating at Sarasota Polo for 10 years. She says made a tradition of faithfully coming almost every Sunday of Polo season to enjoy the sport of kings.
“We come here very early so we can try to get center field, then we kinda hold the spot for everyone to start showing up eventually,” said Hanson.
Hanson starts prepping the menu as early as the beginning of week to do as little prep when they arrive to the field. She says her tailgating crew The Main Connection and Friends have an open tent policy sharing their food and drinks with their tailgating community.
Gates open at 10 a.m. with some tailgaters arriving as early as eight in the morning to secure that perfect tailgating spot.
Courtney Davenport and her crew have enjoyed tailgating for polo for the past five years. She says they keep coming back season after season and have mastered setting up for the long day ahead.
“We like to stack our tents front to back because of the sun situation,” said Davenport. “See this is professional polo tailgating here the sun moves so the shade is in the back.”
Hanson and her friends also plan days in advance the menu and supplies and always look forward to a beautiful day with family and friends watching a sport they’ve come to love.
“We meet a lot of new people and we meet a lot of new puppy’s and it’s just fun,” Davenport. “The weather is lovely and our city is beautiful and we just like to enjoy it out here.”
Sarasota Polo host matches at 8201 Polo Club Ln Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240. Matches start at 1 p.m. but the tailgating fun starts 10 a.m. when gates are open.
