There’s nothing quite like Big Ten football—the roar of the crowd, the river of school colors, the crackle of energy that builds long before kickoff. On a freezing November afternoon, Garden State City Lifestyle turns the Rutgers vs. Penn State tailgate into one of the warmest, loudest and most memorable spots in the Scarlet Lot.
Call it adrenaline, call it community, call it Jersey grit—but the season-closing tailgate delivers all the makings of an instant classic. For Garden State City Lifestyle, hosting at Rutgers feels personal. Publishers Tiffany and Jake Slowinski first cross paths on campus, making this matchup a fitting way to close out the season.
Just steps from SHI Stadium, the scene comes alive in a swirl of wood-fired pizza smoke, puffer-jacket fashion moments and music pulsing through the parking lot like a heartbeat. Fans arrive early and stay late, determined to squeeze every last moment out of the Scarlet Knights’ final home game. The cold doesn’t stand a chance.
A Parking Lot Turned Party Scene
Clusters of friends and families move between artisan pizza, local craft brews and a buzzing photo booth capturing the day’s boldest, funniest and frostiest moments. The scent of blistered crust mixes with DJ beats, while laughter carries across the lot in clouds of chilly breath.
It’s more than a pregame—it’s the unofficial kickoff to winter, wrapped in scarves, gloves and pure Big Ten energy.
“This tailgate has everything we love—community, great food and an incredible game,” Publisher Jake Slowinski says. “We’re grateful to everyone who bundles up and joins us. The atmosphere is unbeatable.”
A powerhouse team of New Jersey partners brought the heat—literally and figuratively—and turned an ordinary game day into the kind of event people repost for days.
Va Fa Napoli Pizza
Wood-fired, piping hot, and completely irresistible—these pies became the must-have tailgate bite.
Phone: (908) 303-1951
Jersey Girl Brewery
Craft pours that kept spirits high even as temperatures dropped. A fan favorite, every time.
Phone: (908) 591-4186
Flirt with Light Photography – Photo Booth
Endless pics, endless laughs. The booth drew a line all afternoon long.
Phone: (732) 844-9986
Photo + Video Coverage
Every angle captured, every moment documented.
TAMAS Photography: tomsolymosi.com/
Madrids Media: madridsmediamarketing.com
DJ – JJ Entertainment
A high-energy set that turned the tailgate into a full-blown block party.
Together, they created something that felt less like a tailgate and more like a shared celebration of New Jersey pride.
Already Looking Ahead
As Rutgers faced Penn State in one of the season’s most anticipated matchups, the tailgate set the tone for a day packed with connection, camaraderie and pure Scarlet energy.
For Garden State City Lifestyle, it wasn’t just the perfect sendoff to the season—it was a reminder of everything that makes college football culture unbeatable.
To catch more events like this and stay in the loop on what’s next, be sure to follow @gardenstatecitylifestyle on Instagram.