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Pigskin Parties - Pigskin Parties |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Wednesday, 13 September 2006 |
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Page 1 of 5
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Photo illustration by Hillary Wheat | for NEXTnc
Lindsey Herdman of Greeley toasts to the Broncos 2006-2007 season with Bruce Dennis of Fort Collins.
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Crisp golden leaves, cool breezes and chilly evenings. Ah, the signs of football season.
Last weekend’s first official NFL games of the year sounded the alarm clocks, and dormant football fans across northern Colorado stretched, yawned, slapped on a foam finger and came out of hibernation.
They are pulling on their favorite Bronco jerseys and gathering with fellow fans in front of the worshipped big screens.
“It’s about getting together with friends,” Malanie McClelland, 31, of Fort Collins said.
Her husband Dorian has been a big football and Broncos fan ever since he was little. The couple enjoys watching games throughout the season leading up to the Super Bowl.
“Sometimes we go to our buddy’s party or have our own,” Dorian said. “It just depends on our mood going into it. If we like the teams, yeah we will have our own, otherwise we will go to another house.”
No one wants their football party to be a fumble, so here’s some sure fire ways to throw the best football party, whether it’s Monday night football or Super Bowl Sunday.
THE EQUIPMENT
A small-screen TV will send a party out faster than a Michael Vick scramble.
“A big screen TV always helps,” Dorian said.
It’s OK if your screen isn’t worth bragging over. In fact, certain electronic stores offer TV rentals. Want to really wow your friends? An Infocus machine, a projection device that hooks up to your TV and displays images on white wall or screen, can be rented for about $160.
In addition to having good reception, make sure you’ve got ample seating. While it’s cool to stand in stadiums, standing in a cramped living room is not.
BEER AND GRUB
Once you’ve got the screen and seats, you’ve got to think about the munchies. The quintessentials to a winning football party are lots of food, lots of beer and lots of friends.
“Lots of chips and dips and burgers will work,” Dorian said.
Darci Blach, 42, of Monument and her family have thrown several parties during the years.
Her signature game day food includes death-by-chocolate dessert, chips and salsa and green chili soup.
And of course, beer.
“Lots of beer; lots of cold beer,” Ed Blach, Darci’s husband, said.
Ed, a CSU alum, said he preps for football season by reading the statistics of every player on every team.
His whole family follows football and, with six kids, the sport is something the family can enjoy together. The kids all have a decent collection of Broncos gear for game day.
WHAT TO WEAR
 Of course a football party is far from a black-tie affair, but definite rules apply.
Wearing the opposing teams colors is a big no-no. And in Colorado, Raiders gear is a sin at many parties.
“A Raiders outfit might get you kicked out and beat,” Darci said.
Mike Loch, 25, manager of Sportsfan in Fort Collins said people buy just about everything Broncos.
“It started about a month ago and has been nothing but Broncos ever since,” he said. “You can definitely feel the hype already, even more so than last year.”
Jerseys range in prices and can cost up to $240 for an authentic one.
“The pink Broncos jerseys are usually hot with the ladies,” he said. “We also sell a lot of T-shirts.”
When it comes to gear, the crazier the better. Anything is in as long as it shows team spirit.
DECORATING THE PAD
 Unlike a 5-year-old’s birthday bash, decorations are optional.
Sure, banners, pennants, posters and streamers can add flare to the affair, but don’t focus on the decorations too much.
“Football parties don’t need to be fully decorated,” Melanie said. “It has to be manly.”
Askmen.com recommends keeping a football on hand, so guests can go outside and toss it around. Place some NFL magazines on the coffee tables as a finishing touch. During commercials, guests can brush up on their “Sports Illustrated” features and stats.
PLAN B
If hosting is out of your league, plenty of sports bars offer great game day atmosphere, with less fuss.
Mike Everett, 25, of Loveland spends all his Sundays during football season at Sportscaster in Fort Collins.
“I usually come in a group,” he said. “There’s more TVs and you can watch more games.”
Plus, there’s no clean-up and less prep work.
“Just as long as there is alcohol, it’s about the same,” Everett said.
Either way, slap on some face paint and get ready for another great season where turf, pigskin and fanatics dominate.
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I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
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| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
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