Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. The kids are heading back to school, the weather is getting cooler, the leaves are falling, and of course there is the growing excitement of soccer games and backyard parties.

Tailgating is fast becoming an American tradition, and while it’s big in NASCAR and other sporting events, it has achieved a true art form within the grasp of football fans.

Many, who may not even have a ticket to the game, open their tailgates, fire up their grills and set up their televisions to watch and react to the plays of the game. The excitement is unbridled: good-natured boos from the other team’s fans, the aroma of steaks, ribs and assorted baked and grilled goods wafting through the air, a snap of the football among the fans, and an air of camaraderie and excitement only matched within the stadium walls.

Acres of parking lots and open fields at or near the stadiums are lined with colorful tents, cars, trucks and RVs awash with team decals, bumper stickers and flags. Some fans have driven for hours to follow their team and come dressed in a wide variety of outfits to show their support, from the basic team jersey and stadium jackets with logos to full war paint and mascot costume . Over the years, groups have formed in the crowd, and some have become part of a large family that extends beyond the season.

Although tailgating can be a family event, most of the participants are male college graduates between the ages of 22 and 44. Most live less than an hour from their favorite team and attend 6-10 games a season. Some people come as early as Thursday to get settled in and start cooking for the Saturday afternoon game, spending hundreds of dollars a season on various foods and paraphernalia. People considered “normal” during the work week are unrecognizable at a backyard party. Moderate behavior is brushed aside as easily as a pigskin for an afternoon of football.

If you’ve ever been to a tailgate event, you’d be amazed at the gadgets people have wired or mounted to their vehicles to make them tailgate compatible. You can only imagine the amount of money and time spent thinking of creative ways to transport racks and seats. Some have even set up their area to look like a living room, complete with sofa and television; remote controls are standard.

For true thrills, without the crowded seats of the stadium itself, and more than double the fun, you have to experience the tailgate phenomenon for yourself. It’s an experience you’ll never forget, and it could be addictive.