Tailgating Tradition Since 1978

BY VAL SCHOGER; PHOTOS BY KATIE DESANTIS

Janice Hanks and her husband Ralph moved to Panama City from Pensacola in 1976 and started attending FSU games in 1977. They live in Panama City and had their first tailgate in Tallahassee in 1978. At first, it was just the two of them. “We realized then and there that we wanted to start a tradition and organize a great tailgate that everyone could participate in and enjoy along with enhancing the game day experience. We enjoy hosting the event and always look for new ways to improve the tailgate experience. It has evolved over the years and continues to evolve and change,” says Janice. Nowadays, there are around 50 people who join the Hanks’ tailgate at the smaller games and 100 plus people on the big games.

“We try to find ways to make the tailgate a memorable experience for our guests. We bring a “field kitchen” and have a fish fry for the FSU vs. FLA games that includes gator tail. On early games, we have an omelet station and make fresh omelets to order along with cheese grits, bacon and ham. We try to pick a theme for each game. We’ve had stir fries, pasta bars, Mexican, BBQ, low country boil, pancake breakfasts and many more.” For some games, they will also plan the food based on the team, for example, Virginia ham for Virginia or Boston butts for Boston College.

“Before every game, we do a group toast to the team along with the ‘FSU scoring cheer’ and top it off with a cherry bomb.” Janice started making her version of cherry bombs about 25 years ago after a trip to New Orleans and has perfected the recipe.

Many well-known local personalities join the Hanks’ at their tailgate. One of the regulars, Casey Weldon, former FSU quarterback, runner up for the Heisman trophy, winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award, and the Walter Camp award, tailgates with their group. “Having a former player in the group makes for great conversation” states Janice. “He adds an up- close and personal perspective to the game.”

Janice reminisces about what makes her tailgate’s most special. “The friends and memories that are formed over the years. We have people who regularly attend the tailgate that have been a part of it for more than 25 years.”

Janice Hanks’ tailgate is located next to Langford Green and they have a large intersection directly behind the tailgate. “We invite all the cops to join my brother-in-law John under our tent where they can sit and relax during their break. They can watch the game on TV and we feed them . It’s our way of saying thank you and recognizing the job they do on game day.”

It is hard to pin down the most memorable tailgate moment for Janice. “I think some of the top tailgates would be setting up a surprise proposal at the tailgate. Another memorable tailgate was a Halloween tailgate complete with a cauldron with dry ice, a cemetery with headstones, ghosts and goblins, lots of pumpkins, and all sorts of questionable characters hanging from the trees.

Also memorable was that during the construction of Langford Green the tailgate was temporarily moved to a parking spot on the future green. “There was nothing there but sand . We tailgated that season with a tent complete with side enclosures, a window air conditioner and green astro turf. I guess you could say, we had the “original Green” and with pride she remembers “When the National Boosters were holding contests and judging tailgates based on five categories, we won overall best tailgate several times. We even have special lighting we use in the trees for night games.”

When asked “What’s your most memorable game or who are your favorite players?” Janice replied “Of course everyone at your tailgate has their different favorites, so I am undecided whether to use this info, but “Nick O’Leary and Rashad Greene are two exciting players to watch. Our all-time favorite player is Casey Weldon. From Panama City, Jarad Moon is one of our favorite players.”