Bringing Country to the City as the First Country Music Festival to Cater to the Growing Tailgate Culture
The First Annual TAILGATE FEST (LATailgateFest.com) will debut on Saturday, September 1, 2018 (Labor Day Weekend) on the Forum’s grounds (Inglewood) in Los Angeles as a one-day country music and tailgating extravaganza. TAILGATE FEST caters to the fans who show up hours before to turn the parking lot into the party. It brings the stage 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 to last you the evening. Fans will now be able to bring their own grills, coolers, games, and more to enjoy the show from their own tailgate as TAILGATE FEST brings the stage to the tailgaters!
TAILGATE FEST marks the newest venture by Melissa Carbone, founder and CEO of Ten Thirty One Productions (TTO) and creator of the iconic Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, and partner Giancarlo Chersich, investor behind marquee brands such as Pop Chips, Barry’s Bootcamp, AQUAhyrdrate, Lucky Jack and the Jillian Michaels’ empire, who together formed TAILGATE FEST with the goal of filling a hole in the sixty billion dollar growing tailgating culture.
“I’m such a tailgate fanatic and the more embedded I got in the culture, I realized there was a pretty unanimous sentiment among us tailgaters. The tailgate shouldn’t stop when the show starts. Bring the stage truck-side sort of speak,” said Carbone. “People can still watch the show the traditional way, stageside, but now also have the choice of truck-side, car-side, even poolside. Yeah, I said pool…we’re pulling it all out.”
“Music has always been a powerful tool that connects us all and music festivals add a social element to an already connective experience. Tailgate Fest was born to give passionate music fans the ability to engage with their favorite artists, while creating their own space and deepen that experience in a live setting. Tailgate Fest is a forward-thinking opportunity that puts the fans first.” said Giancarlo Chersich.
Headlined by superstar Toby Keith, on his Should’ve Been A Cowboy Tour XXV presented by Ford F Series, the full festival lineup will feature some of the best musicians in country music. In addition to the music performances, TAILGATE FEST will also feature several genre-curated activities including The Tailgate Cornhole World Championships which will kick off early in the day at the “Extreme Cornhole Court” where tailgate groups can compete against each other for prizes. Those who want to flex their truck muscles can enter their spruced-up truck in the Jacked Up Truck Competition where a panel of judges will select the “Best in Show” truck of the day, with the winner taking home a brand new tailgating dream machine. TAILGATE FEST will also feature the Two Step Honky Tonk for those wanting to show off their dancing skills and a Dunk Tank for those wanting to stretch out their pitching arms. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase on site.
Tailgating at concerts and sporting events isn’t new by any means but combined with Carbone’s history in creating immersive and unique thematic experiences, TAILGATE FEST develops into a curated world that should mentally and bodily transport people into a down-home, Americana day of fun, dropped right into the heart of Los Angeles – one of the biggest cities in the world.
“It’s actually fascinating to me that this whole activity has been happening for over a century organically on its own at every game and country music concert. My idea is just to super-serve the experience that is already happening by giving this passionate population of people both things that they love at the same time.” – Melissa Carbone.
TICKETS
Tickets start at $109 for General Admission all the way up to a Super VIP with reserved Lawn Chair Viewing, access to a stageside pool (Yes, we said pool) and access to the VIP Forum Club (plus any applicable fees). For some fans who are “Country AF” but don’t want to tailgate, General Admission stage-side and pit passes offer the more traditional experience to get up close to the stage. A Lawn Chair viewing platform, Terrace viewing and even a pool stage-side make Tailgate Fest perfect for every taste. A limited number of people can secure a pit and pool pass to kick back and keep cool while watching the best Country music has to offer.
Tickets on-sale starting April 18th at LATailgateFest.com. Presale tickets are available April 16th -18th via Toby Keith Fan Club and the Forum. For full ticket descriptions and detailed festival map, visit LATailgateFest.com.
Pop a top and drop a tailgate as Tailgate Fest comes to Los Angeles to bring a little sweet home Americana to town!
