BOULDER — For dedicated college football fans, the time is near.

Tailgate time. The tradition that turns a football game into a daylong event, a pregame party/pep rally/reunion that brings together fans and families for pregame festivities — and an event that has become as much a part of the fabric of college football as mascots, bands and cheerleaders.

There is, of course, no "wrong" way to tailgate. A good tailgate can be as simple as some hot dogs over a grill, beverages of choice, lawn chairs for comfort and good conversation.

The Monaco family tailgates rain or shine

— or even snow.

Or, they can be much more elaborate affairs, involving days (or weeks) of planning, with meals ranging from pig roasts to complete Thanksgiving spreads, games for attendees (think cornhole or Jenga), along with chairs, tents and other comforts — even televisions — that make the experience an integral part of game day on campus.

For Colorado Buffaloes fans, tailgates are now on the immediate horizon. The Friday season opener against Colorado State in Denver is just a few days away, with the Sept. 7 home opener against Nebraska just a week later.

As a public service — especially for those "newbies" who are about to embark on their first tailgate season — we recently contacted three veteran tailgating families to find their tips, hints and secrets to a successful event. Our expert panel included Traci and Joe McCreary (Joe is a former Buff who was a member of Bill McCartney's first recruiting class), Rocky Monaco (whose family has been Buffs fans for generations — and who has a son named Folsom), and Tom and Kathy Anselmo, long-time fans and donors who have not missed a home or road game for more than a decade.

Not surprisingly, they all had a few different pieces of advice. But they also had plenty of tips and hints in common — tailgate basics that will go a long way in helping anyone make their tailgate venture a successful one.

Here's what they told us:

Have everything ready to go the night before and make sure you leave early on game day to give yourself plenty of time to unload and secure your spot:

— "I keep all our tailgate supplies in two big tubs," Traci McCreary said. "Before the season starts I go through the tubs, organize and restock all the basics getting ready for the season. We have a bit of a routine of what all we bring each week. We bring at least two extra tables, our giant Buff Jenga set, two/three extra coolers, the tubs and all the food and drink. I have CU tablecloths, a lot of CU or at least football-shaped serving pieces and pom poms to decorate with."

— Monaco said leaving early is "an absolute must," as is the process of checking supplies the night before. "Pack the car the night before the game and double check everything before leaving the house," Monaco said. "Leave early. I've seen people over and over already spent and ruined before the game starts because they were running late and hit traffic. There's plenty to do before the game starts — check out the bookstore, tour the facilities and buildings, walk the campus. We always drive from Lakewood to Boulder on Highway 93. It's beautiful. No one living south of I-70 should ever take Highway 36. Arriving early for your tailgate and early to the stadium is crucial."

Don't be afraid to tailor your menu to game time. In other words, if it's an early kickoff, breakfast is perfectly acceptable. Night game? Variety is wonderful.

Traci McCreary's shoes

are a favorite tradition

— "One game a year we have a whole pig roast with all the fixings," Tom Anselmo said. "We also have a case of home made wine and beer, plus cigars. If an early game, it's breakfast burritos, eggs and bacon, sweet rolls, coffee with 'mixers.' One of the folks always brings a box of donuts to share; a custom started by a friend who passed away some years ago."

— The McCrearys also have their constant staples — burritos, pastries, breakfast casseroles for early games — but they also have some "specialties" they serve each year. "We try and mix it up, yet have our tried and true stand-byes," Traci said. "We try to stay away from things that require much grilling, since the travel grill is smaller and someone has to be manning it at all times when everyone wants to be having fun. ... (But) we do have a few favorites we do at least once a year." The list includes a low-country boil (an idea they picked up when traveling to Georgia for a road game several years ago), as well as a huge paella, which Traci says is annually "a big hit."

— A Monaco family tradition ties in nicely with the calendar — a traditional Thanksgiving spread every year for a home game in late October or November, which Monaco calls "our best tailgate food. I usually fry two turkeys for that event and everyone else brings the sides. We usually make each tailgate have a different food theme."

But tailgates involve far more than food. It means preparation for the game — everything from the right clothing to clear bags to enough ice and water to keep folks properly hydrated. Remember, Colorado weather changes in a hurry, and sunshine at kickoff can turn into a snowstorm by the fourth quarter. Some basics:

— "Always think of the weather when considering drinks and ice," Traci McCreary said. "On hot days, you go through at least twice as much water, really hot days more than double, and the ice melts so much faster. It seems like common sense, but even after so many years, we have still been caught short on both. Likewise, on the colder days we drag all that water up only to drag it back home and dump out extra ice at the end of the tailgate. I also try to keep a couple of extra clear bags in my tubs, and I keep Tylenol and Band-aids on hand."

— "People constantly forget to bring the proper clothing," Monaco said. "With that being said, all that they remember about the game is how cold they were. It's simple, dress in layers. I've never seen anyone turned away at the gate for wearing too much clothing." (Monaco also added a hint in terms of wearing the right colors: "One issue that irks some of our tailgate leaders is people showing up without wearing CU gear. We will feed anyone, give them drinks and make them feel welcomed at all times, but please support the home team by wearing some University of Colorado clothes.")

— "Morning sun does not ensure good weather, so dress in layers — you can remove but not add if you don't wear," Tom Anselmo said. "Also don't forget water, sunscreen and foul-weather gear."

And, there are some mistakes to avoid if possible. Such as:

— "A guy showed up wearing a Nebraska shirt to our tailgate when CU played Northern Colorado," Monaco remembers. "One of my friends arrived wearing only a long sleeved t-shirt to a game in 2007 when the temperature for a majority of the game was around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In 2015, some Oregon fans decided to try and spray paint their logo on the lawn by our tailgate. Watching entire tailgates blow away in the wind before the 2011 Arizona game was remarkable. Always prepare for all types of weather — tailgating and watching football is no different than camping in the Rockies. In addition, sitting on the tailgate coolers that contain the beverages is not cool."

Other tips:

— Get to the stadium early. It will help avoid lines, give you a chance to watch Ralphie run and will ensure that you don't miss kickoff.

— Double-check your basics before you leave. All of our experts noted that time and again, they have seen people get to the stadium without gloves, hats and jackets — and tickets. Nothing can ruin a game like getting to the stadium, reaching in your pocket and remembering that you left your tickets in your car (or worse, at home).

Our experts also noted that there is more to game week than just game day. That includes traditions building up to the game:

— "The Pearl Street Stampede (conducted the night before home games) and Buffalo Belles and Friends," Anselmo said. "The coach's show, Friday night dinner at a favorite place — anything you do regularly that has become part of being a Buff."

— "I try and wear a different CU shirt every day to work," Monaco said. "And we always sing the fight song to the kids before bedtime."

— For McCreary, the Stampede has become a tradition that she and Joe attempt to attend every home game. "We love it so much and LOVE bringing our out of town guests to it — so uniquely CU/Boulder!" she said.

And finally, maybe the best tip of all:

— "We have been to every away game and home game for the past 12 years," Tom Anselmo said. " We come early, stay until the game is over and greet the team as they exit Champions Center post game. It's easy to be a fan/supporter when the team wins and we have a winning program. It's another matter when it isn't. Be positive, courteous and act like we've been a part of a winning and successful program in the past."