At the conclusion of the 2023 regular season, The Big H Tailgaters took home the prestigious honors for the second time. The pride of the Blue Lot outside NRG Stadium, they'd won it a decade earlier in 2013. One of the perks of the championship was getting to judge the 2024 competition, which was ultimately won by the Gridiron Grillerz Tailgaterz.
Last year's winners had plenty of advice for the new tailgating kings and queens.
"Keep the energy alive," Big H Tailgater Melissa Garza said. "Don't stop now, it has just begun! You all have now set a new bar to beat and your tailgate will be recognized throughout the season. You are now setting an example of what it takes to be recognized as the very best Tailgaters out there!"
Garza and company reveled in the fun of their 2023 victory all last fall. They kept up the enthusiasm of their win from the year before and enjoyed the recognition.
"We have both of our Tailgaters of the Year flags hanging high for everyone to see and we cherish the memories that got us all there," Garza said. "We are just family: no corporate sponsors, no advertising, no entry fees to come visit us. Our motto is being the best tailgate out there with the best hospitality and I know we have been doing just that game after game each time."
In addition to being able to judge the next year's H-E-B Tailgater of the Year competition, they also won a Tailgater of the Year flag, a $500 gift card to H-E-B and several other goodies. Garza and the Big H Tailgaters loved the recognition from their favorite grocery store.
"H-E-B is the reason we got to do this, and we are extremely grateful for them," Garza said. "You'll find us at H-E-B each and every week getting everything we need to put on the best and most delicious tailgate in the Blue Lot. We truly want to thank the Texans and H-E-B for the time, opportunity, and recognition."
To learn more about H-E-B Tailgater of the Game, click below!
