The Bluebird is no longer flying high
What happens to a professional tailgate machine after it runs out of steam? Take a look at the truck that is parked along Route 7, just north of the Valero gas station.
Gone are the days of cozy chairs, satellite TV's, carpet, grills and keg beer - the once traveling NY Giants tailgate party on wheels, appropriately named the "Bluebird", has a new career as a stand-alone advertisement for Hoo Doo Browns BBQ. "1/4 mile on the right" the sign says.
Giants tailgate master and former Bluebird king, Terry Reddington says old blue is no longer "roadworthy" and thus has resorted to a sedentary life of signage.
Below is our "Bluebird" story that appeared in Ridgefield Magazine - way back when the Bluebird's engine was revving for the pre-game party goers.
To the average American, popping open the back of the car trunk, indulging in some fried chicken, subway sandwiches and a few beers in the company of friends qualifies as a tailgate party. Terry Reddington is far from average.
In 1958, when Reddington was just 6 years old, his dad took him by train from his home in New Rochelle to see his first Giant’s game in what is today Yankee Stadium. That was the start of something that would become a very sacred and special part of Reddington’s life. “I’ve missed six home games since 1973" Reddington exclaims proudly. “I said, Barb, we’ve got to get married in September so we can get our honeymoon out of the way before the season starts” jokes Reddington. 1976 was a monumental year for Reddington. He got married and Giants Stadium was built. From 10 friends that year, his tailgate parties grew steadily football season after football season. Today, more than fifty, what Reddington terms as "core" fans, gather in lot8B for "pre-game" festivities.
The guest of honor at Reddingtons tailgate parties is his "Bluebird", a truck he purchased in 07' from a fellow tailgater. It is complete with couches, two satellites TV’s, carpeting and paneling. During football season Reddington’s security guard and driver, 22 year old Ridgefielder Chris Sexton, arrives at Reddingtons Flat Rock Drive home at 5:30 a.m. to begin loading up the Bluebird with the necessary tailgate items. By 7:30-8:00, Reddington is setting up shop and firing up the grill in the stadium parking lot. “People start coming…it’s open to everyone” he says.
Beverages? “We have a moocher cooler for people who don’t bring beer” says Reddington. The “moocher cooler” is chuck full of cheap brew. “We pride ourselves on one thing, we buy the cheapest possible liquor that exists because of all the moochers…every body's so happy, they don’t care” jokes Reddington who loves when folks just stop by to visit. “It’s just camaraderie, just people having fun” he continues.
Reddington reserves the portable toilet he brings for those guests who partake in his legendary 50/50 raffle. “If you get in the raffle, you can use the bathroom” says Reddington who adds, “We have people lined up for the bathroom”. Half of the raffle proceeds go toward tailgate supplies and necessities while the other half may be kept by the lucky winner. In the past, the Reddington raffle has been donated to charities like St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Toys for Tots, and hurricane relief or local emergencies. Reddington recalls s story about a stadium worker who was turned away one day because he was not dressed appropriately, “a tailgater brought him to a nearby store to buy him new pants so he could work that day”.