OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The big question this weekend: Will the weather cooperate in The Swamp?

The Gators take on Samford in another home game Saturday, Sept. 7.  Kickoff is at 7 p.m. which means tailgaters could run into some wet weather.

A study from Quicken Loans Racing and Beckon Media found that 80% of us go tailgating every year. Here are some tips on how to tailgate in style:

  • Vehicle: Naturally, a vehicle is one of the essentials of tailgating. If you have a car with a hatch or liftgate, it makes setting up a tailgate in the parking lot way easier for fans to hang out. SUVs, vans, or pickup trucks usually have extra space to keep all your gear.
  • Grill: The Quicken Loans survey found that 93% of tailgaters prepare their food at the stadium or venue and 78% use a grill to cook. If you want to grill while you’re out and about, you’ll need a portable grill. Check out the ones designed for camping and tailgating.
  • Coolers: Tailgaters will want to have cold drinks, and coolers are great for keeping everything organized. Before you bring any coolers, grills, or other tailgating stuff, make sure to check if the stadium allows them. Following the rules is super important when you’re tailgating.
  • Tables and chairs: Having camp chairs to relax in and tables to put food on can make tailgating neat and enjoyable.
  • Tech items: Some people who tailgate enjoy getting pumped up for the game by watching other matches on TVs or their phones that can stream shows. Others might prefer to listen to music or podcasts as they wait for the main event to kick off. Bringing along speakers, tablets, phones, small TVs, or even classic AM/FM radios can really make the tailgating fun.
Ocala Forecast

Here’s your day-by-day outlook from the NWS.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 3pm, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 3pm and 4pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 4pm. High near 90. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Heat index values as high as 102. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday: A chance of showers before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

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