FHC’s annual homecoming tailgate started with Brad Anderson, a dumpster, and a dream.
Believe it or not, our homecoming tailgate—the largest high school tailgate in the state of Michigan—began with a couple of teachers, a few football and wrestling families, and Anderson, who were all looking for something to do between the homecoming parade and the football game.
Anderson, the venerated AP World History and wrestling coach of Forest Hills Central High School, started the conversation years ago with our current assistant principal, John DeStefano, who both wanted to create a transitional event between the parade and the football game to further unite the Forest Hills community.
“We had everybody leaving the property and trying to get dinner in the hour before the game—which is pretty impossible around here,” DeStefano said. “So we thought, why not create an atmosphere or an event here where people want to stay on the property.”
This tailgate created the inspiring community we see at our tailgate today—a large family of spirited Rangers ready to celebrate the homecoming of the just-as-spirited Ranger football team. Abbie Glass, the senior class secretary, recognizes the liveliness that the tailgate brings for community bonding as she works hard to make sure different parts of homecoming go smoothly.
“[The tailgate] also brings a lot of energy for our football team, too, since it’s right before the football game,” Abbie said. “It helps us keep that high energy so we can have that energy in the stands to cheer our football players on.”
This Ranger spirit and pride are truly brought to life with the growth of the homecoming tailgate into today’s festivities. It is also set up in a way where people can see the parade go by as they are tailgating. Families can begin setting up their tents before the parade and set themselves up for an evening of good food, good football, and good fun.
“A favorite [moment of the tailgate] is when the parade comes to an end. All the people that were in the parade end up back at the tailgate, and the tailgate doubles in size in minutes,” Anderson said. “As far as the eye can see, from this parking lot to that parking lot, it’s a sea of people getting ready for a good old-fashioned, all-American, high school football game.”
Though the tailgate is praised for its convenience and great hot dogs, it is also vital to the camaraderie of our FHC community. Kids of all ages, from seniors at the high school to kindergarteners at Pine Ridge, Thornapple, or Ada, all gather under the communion of Ranger Country, bringing parents, friends, and Ranger alumni to celebrate homecoming day.
The unity of the Ranger community not only brings considerable support and high energy for the football team but also for the many staff, student council, and Forest Hills community members who have come together to put on such a great parade, tailgate, and homecoming game. As the senior class secretary, Abbie works hard to lead the lip sync, create the float, and manage social media.
“[The tailgate] is a really good way to be involved in the community as a whole, not just the high school,” Abbie said. “Everyone feels involved and included like we’re a big family.”
Even if students don’t think the tailgate will benefit them, it’s essential to show up and show support for all the staff and students who work so hard to create this “big family.” Abbie, a student who has been going to the tailgate and homecoming since she was a kid, has experienced the excitement of the homecoming tailgate.
Now that she is in Student Council, she understands the immense work that goes into creating this experience. As the Senior Secretary, she is in charge of social media, informing students about lip sync practices, student section themes, everything. The laborious toil that goes into the tailgate’s production underlines the importance of students and families going, watching the parade, and enjoying the FHC community at the tailgate.
“You’re going to have fun regardless [of if you want to go or not] because you’re going to see the people that you know and the people that you love,” Abbie said. “It’s a great way to be involved and to show your part in your community.”
Though the tailgate began with just a few families and a hotdog grill, it has emerged into a community-wide celebration with various tents, food trucks, and yard games. This growth truly exemplifies ranger PRIDE: Persisting from dozens of people to thousands, Respectful throughout the tailgate property, Inclusive in the community, and Dependable Every day, every homecoming, every year.
“It’s hard not to be proud when you see a sea of green, white, gray, and black, all getting ready for the high school football game,” Anderson said. “You see the football guys, you have the band playing, you have the [homecoming] court, the alumni, and a lot of parents. Pride is personified that day.”
