Showing Spirit While Feeding the Crowd at Blue Dragon Tailgate

By Monique Henderson
Staff writer
Email: thehutchinsoncollegian@gmail.com

Hutchinson Community College football fans can get ready for Saturday’s NJCAA semifinal at Gowans Stadium while meeting new friends before kickoff. 

Every game, there is a fan tailgate, organized by Heather Dallas, whose husband Drew is the Blue Dragons’ coach.

“We have been running the Blue Dragon tailgates for six years now, but it has really picked up in the last four, five years,” Dallas said. “The tailgate usually starts three hours before kickoff time.  The band and cheerleaders come by and perform an hour before kickoff. There is food and events at the tailgate. 

The food is central to any tailgate, and all fans are welcome to eat.

“The menu changes every week. We have had walking tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs, and the fourth annual chili cook-off just this last week,” Heather Dallas said. “The football game experience just wouldn’t be the same without the tailgate party. 

“I truly feel that if we all just drove to the game and just parked and walked to our seats, we would not have the opportunity to meet one another,” Dallas said.

“Friends made at the tailgate party make the away games worthwhile. It has even made the away games that much more fun because we have the visiting fans packed with Blue Dragon fans and friends that know one another.”

One would think that organizing the tailgate parties would be stressful. However Heather Dallas said loves organizing the parties since it brings her closer to the Blue Dragons fans, she actually finds it relaxing. 

Trent Fisher, a Clearwater freshman, has not been to a tailgate, but Fisher would be open to going to one.

“I believe that tailgates do bring people together,” Fisher said. 

They say the way to a person’s heart is their stomach. 

“The food is the best,” Fisher said.

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