The beaches are deserted, pools are closed, kids are back to school, and in some
places the leaves are already beginning to turn. Boy, the summer goes fast.
Got the Post-Labor Day Blues? Well, fear not! There are still plenty of
things to celebrate! There are apples to be picked, concerts to be attended
and Halloween is just around the corner! Perhaps most excitingly, there are
tailgate parties to be thrown!
Tailgating
– On the Road
Pre-season football has begun and the summer concert line up has not yet finished. Now is
the perfect time to gather a few friends, a few grills, a cooler or three, and
plan a pre-game or pre-concert tailgate party. No tickets? No problem! You
can throw a killer tailgate party in your own backyard, where there’s no
security, no limits on what you can bring and parking is free!
Wherever you decide to throw your party, excellent food is a must. New Bedford
Salchicharia in New Bedford, MA; http://salchicharia.getwebnet.com;
and Furtado’s in Fall River, MA http://furtadoschourico.com
both have excellent selection of fresh meats, sausage, chorico and linguica,
and are within easy driving distance of both the Tweeter Center in Mansfield,
MA www.tweetercenter.com and
Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA www.gillettestadium.com.
Call the butcher shops ahead of time and let them know what marinades you would
like, and ask if they have any specials or other ideas. Then pick up your
order on the way to the game – ready to grill!
Tailgating – At Home
Couldn't get tickets to the game? Too cold out for tailgating? Have a tailgate party
inside. Invite friends over and throw a football party in the comfort of your
own home or yard. Having parties at home lets you be more creative with food,
drink and decorations. Start with a theme supporting your favorite team.
Decorations, including banners, plates, table clothes, cups and cutlery are
available at www.SportsFanFare.com (http://www.sportsfanfare.com/cd-9413111624.html)
or www.ProFootballParties.com
(http://www.profootballparties.com/Store_ViewProdDetail.asp?ProdID=1934&Cat=633)
These websites also have jerseys, and other memorabilia, which make perfect
gifts if you are combining your tailgate party with the birthday (or other)
celebration of a sports-fan Guest of Honor. Also try adding this recipe
courtesy of The Food Network www.foodnetwork.com
for Touchdown Chili to the grill spread from the butcher shops. http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_16944,00.html?rsrc=search
Would
you rather enjoy the game and your guests than spend your party cooking and
cleaning up? Can’t blame you there. Everyone has their favorite barbecue
place; I’ve heard rave reviews from far and wide about The Yankee Smokehouse in
West Ossipee, NH. (www.yankeesmokehouse.com)
But what if you live closer to Boston or Providence? You can still have a
great football spread delivered from one of these fantastic, albeit slightly
lesser-known Masters of the Barbecue Pit: Tex BBQ Express in Boston, MA http://www.texsbbqexpress.com (check
out their “Indoor BBQ” menu!); Memphis Roadhouse in South Attleboro, MA http://memphisroadhouse.com or Wings To
Go www.wingstogo.com in both Johnston
and Providence, RI. Wings To Go even used their smoldering hot sauces and succulent
wings to entice William “The Refrigerator” Perry to be their spokesman! Football
parties don’t get any more authentic than that!
Apples! Apples! Apples!
If football and tailgating don’t appeal to you, there is nothing more
fall-in-New-England to celebrate than apple picking. Take the kids out one afternoon
to one of these fine orchards; Tougas Farm in Northboro, MA
http://www.tougasfarm.com ; Coonamessett Farm in East Falmouth, MA www.coonamessettfarm.com; Comstock
Family Farm in Alstead, NH http://www.comstockfamilyfarm.com
or Rocky Brook Orchard in Middleton, RI http://www.rockybrookorchard.com.
Then
come home and take a stab at any of these apple recipes available on The Food
Network’s website www.thefoodnetwork.com.
http://web.foodnetwork.com/food/web/cachedSearchResults/0,7822,apples_Recipe,00.html?searchString=apples&site=food&gosearch=&searchType=Recipe
Want
to make a real party of it? Ladies, invite a few girlfriends (either for the
whole day with all the kids or have the babysitter take the kids for the
evening’s festivities) and have a ladies’ night cook-off. You each pick a
recipe or two and see who of your friends and family can make the best
apple-confection. Serve wine, your favorite mixed drink or try making your own
Apple Martinis. Be sure to garnish with a slice of fresh-picked apple! www.DrinksMixer.com has a great recipe
for Sour Apple Martinis http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink7400.html
While Apple Martinis have become very popular lately, ladies, I would be remiss in
not stressing this one point strongly enough – definitely spring for the good
vodka. Unless you and your guests are fans of screaming headaches, bypass the
Smirnoff and Abolut and go straight for the Grey Goose or Kettle One. Your
head will thank you in the morning.
Don’t feel like mixing your own drinks all night? Want the advice of a professional,
certified bartender? Choose a bartender from our list on The Menu www.themenuboston.com/bartenders
and focus on your guests and your apple creations! A professional bartender
will also be able to tell you which liquors are worth paying for and which
expensive ones can be substituted with a lower priced option without risking a
debilitating hangover.
Fall is my favorite time for parties, the summer frenzy of trying to be in every
place all at once is over, the weather is still beautiful and holiday madness
still seems ages away. Stay tuned for some ideas and service providers to help
you throw the best Halloween party of the year!
Sarah Babineau
Drive Productions
DJ Services and Acoustic Performers
www.DriveProductions.net
Got
a great party idea or story about a party you hosted? Are you a party vendor or
supplier? Email Sarah@TheMenuBoston.com
with your thoughts and they may be featured in a future article!
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