BBQ With Team Spirit (NAPSA)—Manysports fans have taken to tailgating in their own backyard—firing up the barbecue grill for their at-hometailgate party. That doesn’t mean, however, that team spirit has to suffer. Decorating items include everything from collegiate pennant flags, banners and canopies with team logos, to food and drink products that declare team loyalty. Here are tips to help you have a safe, easy and fun at-hometail- Ee gate party: Start barbecuing low ’n’ slow cooking foods like brisket or ribs early in the day so they'll be ready to eat when you are. Butgrill colorful assorted veggies, corn on the cob or burgers after guests arrive so they can enjoy the tantalizing aroma. For a simple but sensational dessert, place a sheet of heavyduty aluminum foil on the grill, split bananas lengthwise and place on foil. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon,dot with butter and cook over medium-low heat. Serve over ice cream. e For self-serve drinks, fill a plastic kiddie pool with drinks andice. e Extend the team spirit by displaying hand towels and soaps in team colors in your bathrooms. Rent a TV projector to broadcast the game outdoors. Use a wall of the house as a screen—or hang a large white sheet to project against. Or if you really love back- yard entertaining, invest in an out- door TV set that is made to withstand the weather and can easily be cleaned with a garden hose. Many sports fans arefiring up the barbecuegrill for an at-home tailgate party. Before the fire gets going, put down a Collegiate Grill Pad— a fun and practical way to show support for a favorite team and attract guests’ attention. The pad acts as a barrier to protect decks, patios and porches from the inevitable spills, drippings, grease splatters and errant sparks that could leave unsightly stains or even damage or destroy these expensive surfaces. There are more than 80 officially licensed, full-color team logos from colleges and universities across the country, and more are being addedall the time. The pads make an affordable and unique gift for students, parents and alumni. You can find them in most stores that sell grills and barbecue accessories and in college bookstores. You can find available logos and locate a dealer at www.grillpad.com.
