Bust out the boots and crack open a cold one. Tailgate Fest 2019 takes over Leal Ranch Aug. 17 and Aug. 18 in Eastvale, California.
Tailgate Fest is the first country music festival that caters to the fans who show up hours before the concert to pop a top, drop a tailgate and turn the parking lot, or in this case, hundreds of acres of lush green grass, into the party. Tailgate Fest brings the stages outside to the tailgate.
No packing up the party to head inside, no need to stop that game of cornhole, no need to stuff all your belongings in your pockets or grab sweaters and extras to last you the evening. Tailgating can continue throughout the whole festival as fans can watch their favorite performers from their personal party setups at their vehicles.
From the music to the parties to the booze, this festival is like none other, so check out our ultimate guide to Tailgate Fest below.
Music
Brett Eldredge
“Love Someone” singer Brett Eldredge and “The Weekend” singer Brantley Gilbert are the two main headliners this year. Rapper Big Boi will be on hand Saturday proving that the hip-hop meets country craze is here to stay. Multi-million selling country icon Clint Black will perform on a number of his classics like “Killin’ Time” on Sunday. Other artists on the lineup include Lee Brice, Tyler Farr. Craig Campbell. RaeLynn, Locash, Lindsey Ell, Hardy, King Calaway and DJ Bad Ash.
Camping
Complimenting the classic tailgate experience, many festival-goers choose to camp on the grounds overnight. They got their equipment ready such as tents, water gallons, sleeping materials, heavy-duty cords like this right here on Paracord Galaxy.
The amount of water per day for an adult camper is 2-3 gallons (data from Techie Camper). Guests have the option of reserving a tent spot in the camping grounds or setting up shop in the RV park. Camping not your style? You can still be Country AF and commute. Tailgate Fest has partnered with a number of local hotels with discounted accommodations. Check them out HERE.
Libations & Drinks
Skrewball Painkiller
You can’t have a country music festival without booze. Tailgate Fest is no exception. But what is unique to this experience, B.Y.O.B. is encouraged, up to two cases for your tailgate area. Additionally, the festival will have plentiful full bars throughout. Bev will be on-site handing out their rosé in a can that’s “made by chicks.” The female-run company will be joined by Screwball Peanut Whiskey from Ocean Beach, California, who will be serving up a number of specialty cocktails throughout the festival. At the General Admission bars, try out the Skrewball Mule made with Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, lime, ginger beer and angostura bitters or the Salty Nuts, which is simply Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey on the rocks and a salt ring.
At the Bloody Mary Brunch (more on that later), you can order the Pining For a Skrew, made with Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey and pineapple. In the VIP sections, sip the PB Painkiller made with Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, aged rum, orange, pineapple and coconut. Guest can also cool down with Coors Lights, Coor Banquet and Blue Moon beers, Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer, Prairie Vodka, Templeton Rye Whiskey, Casamigos Blanco Tequila and Monster Energy throughout the festival.
Eats
Yes, you can bring all the food you want inside the festival! Grills are of course welcome so you can bbq with your fellow festival goers. There will also be tons of food available for purchase at the if you run out (or you are extra hungry). At the Hickory Smoked BBQ station, enjoy southern staples such as the Beef Brisket Plate, Chicken Wing Plate, Pulled Pork Sandwich Plate, Baked Beans, Apple Cider Slaw, Ranch Style Potato Salad and Firepit S’more Kits. In the VIP section, check out the Boot Knockin Clam Bake.
For $40, indulge in Coors Banquet Beer steamed middleneck clams & shrimp, andouille sausage, baby red potato and sweet corn, dressed up with Old Bay Lemon & Grilled Texas Toast. Get a sugar high over at the Elotes & Sweets with Deep Fried Oreos, Deep Fried Twinkies, Funnel Cake. Here you can also find country snacks such as Corn On The Cob and Hot Cheeto Chips layered over mayo, topped with melted butter. Other eats found around the festival include Gourmet Hot Dogs (with vegetarian options), Loaded Tater Tots, 3 Cheese Grilled Cheese and Fresh Cut Watermelon.
Boots & Bikinis
Sometimes the best part of a festival is the hotel pool party and let’s face it, it can be hard to leave. Tailgate Fest brings that hotel pool party to you. Boots & Bikinis is an all-day, all-night Las Vegas-inspired pool club which is available with any VIP pass. This non-stop sexy pool party will feature a live DJ spinning, pool volleyball, beer pong, horseshoes, chaise lounges and even edible sunscreen. Of course, there will be exclusive specialty craft cocktails served by the poolside There is also a Super VIP Pool area where you can hang out in the pool and at the same time watch headliners like Big Boi or Brantley Gilbert perform complete with private pit and platform. Totally the best views at the festival!
Tailgate Unplugged
Swim and splash at the Boots & Bikinis party by day then come back when the sun goes down and enjoy a warm campfire complete with smores, plus surprise “Unplugged” acoustic performances happening throughout the weekend. Each night we’ll feature artists who will be performing acoustic sets of your favorite country songs around a firepit.
Bloody Mary Brunch
Hangover cure? Yes, please! Guests can reserve a spot the Bloody Mary Brunch, taking place 10 a.m. to both Saturday and Sunday. Menu items include Choose from Belgian waffles, pancakes, homestyle potatoes, bacon or sausage patties, buttermilk fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, Louisiana hot links, fresh fruit, muffins and scrambled eggs. Of course, there is a Bloody Mary bar with an assortment of toppings like lemons, limes, olives, pickles, salt, tabasco and Worcestershire sauce. There is also a mimosa bar because let’s face it, there’s nothing like a little hair of the dog to get you back out there and in tailgate ready shape. Make your reservation HERE.
Extreme Cornhole Championships
Think you’ve got what it takes to be the best at the most popular tailgate game ever? Enter the Tailgate Fest World Cornhole Championships at the Extreme Cornhole Court.
Two-Step Honkey Tonk Tent
Grab a partner and test out your dancing shoes at the honky-tonk tent. Lessons will be offered for dancers who want to fine-tune their fancy steppin’ skills at this country hoedown. Bring what you’ve learned back to your tailgate to turn the volume up on the party.
Jacked Up Truck Competition
Think you have the COOLest truck? Official Tailgate judges will be roaming the festival to scope out who’s got the nicest wheels. The lucky cowboys and cowgirls with the hottest jacked up trucks will win ticket upgrades and a Tailgate Fest branded Wyld Gear Cooler.
Scope Out A Chevy
Speaking of trucks, Chevrolet returns as the official sponsor of Tailgate Fest. Be sure to check out the top of the line 2019 Chevrolet Silverados that will be on-site, fully stocked and ready to go with tailgating supplies.
2019 Tailgate Festival details
Where: Leal Ranch, 12740 58th St., Eastvale, California
When: Saturday, Aug. 17 – Sunday, Aug. 18
latailgatefest.com, @tailgatefest
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