Whether you’re a huge sports fan, or just there for the snacks, a game day viewing party is a fun way to gather together with friends. There are plenty of ways to do it—a barbeque bash, a high-energy tailgate, or a lowkey house hangout –but no matter how you’re getting together to watch, you’re going to want to be prepared to feed a crowd. These tips can help you throw the ultimate game day watch party!

The Snacks

Grilled Summer Sausage

Looking for a new game day snack to win over the crowd? Grill up some summer sausage! It’s simple…slice up our famous Signature Beef Summer Sausage and toss it on the grill (or grill pan, if there’s a weather delay). Serve it up with your favorite sauces—we like it with Horseradish Sauce—and you’re ready to go!

Game Day Queso

What’s better than warm, cheesy queso with summer sausage? Load up this classic dip with our hearty, protein-packed beef summer sausage, or Spicy Beef Summer Sausage if you like more heat. Serve with tortilla chips, carrot sticks, or crackers to finish off the dish.

Or, for a zesty cheese dip with no assembly required, try our Pepper Jack Cheese Spread. It’s smooth and creamy, which makes it perfect for dipping veggies, crackers, or chips.

Nachos

Serve up summer sausage nachos for a game day crowd-pleaser! We’ve loaded ours up with all of our favorite Hickory Farms flavors, including our Chipotle Ranch Sauce, Farmhouse Cheddar, and Jalapeño Cheddar Blend. Top it all off with some fresh diced tomatoes and sliced jalapeños and you’re ready to party!

The Experience

Kick your Game Day party up a notch with a create-your-own station where guests can craft a signature cocktail, custom burger, or tasty brat that has all their favorites. An interactive Bloody Mary or burger bar will add a little fun and a lot of flavor to any gathering or tailgate.

Setting up a Bloody Mary bar at your party is easy, delicious, and totally customizable. Start with an assortment of Bloody Mary mixes and garnishes, add your favorite vodka, and let guests build their best Bloody ever.

Ultimate Game Day Watch Party - Burgers

If you’re firing up the grill, make sure you have plenty of mustards, cheeses, and toppings on hand so everyone can create their custom burger or brat . We’ve assembled a bunch of tasty suggestions, and paired them with delicious beers for the ultimate game day experience.

The Table

If you’re serving a lot of snacks, the best way to make sure guests can grab some without missing any of the action is to arrange everything so it’s easy to serve and enjoy. Pre-slice meats and cheeses and place on a cheeseboard or platter for an effortless and delicious appetizer. Pour smaller snacks like chips and nuts into a bowl ahead of time and have serving utensils for dips and desserts at the ready so guests can load up their plates and hustle back to the couch.

If you’re feeling extra creative, you can create team or sports-themed charcuterie boards that are sure to score major points with guests.

At-Home Tailgating

Staying home on Game Day doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the tailgating experience! Get pumped up for the big game in your backyard, on your balcony, or in your garage. All you need is your favorite snacks and drinks, coolers, and camp chairs to recreate a tailgate’s iconic vibes.

If you’re hosting a small in-person tailgate, try making easy grab-and-go individual portions of snacks. You can create single-serving charcuterie cups by placing meat and cheese favorites in plastic cups. Serve in your team’s colors to represent who you’re rooting for.

Or, take your tailgate virtual. Set up your laptop, tablet, or phone ahead of the game so you can video chat with your fellow sports fans (this becomes even more fun if you’re rooting against each other!)

Get all your game-day favorites and gifts to get the party started at hickoryfarms.com!

 

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