If you’ve ever wandered the streets near the Superdome on a Saints gameday, following the aroma of boudin and the sound of brass, chances are you’ve stumbled into the orbit of Scott “Sparky” Sparks and his tailgating family—the legendary Tailg8NOLA and the Korner Krewe. This is not your average blacktop barbecue. In true New Orleans fashion, this weekly ritual is a fusion of culinary craft, Southern hospitality, and full-throttle football fandom. Nestled at the corner of Clara and Poydras Streets, in the heart of the Who Dat Nation’s pregame stomping grounds, the Korner Krewe has carved out a home where tailgating is not just about eating and drinking—it’s a performance, a reunion, a celebration of culture, and a standing invitation to join the fun.

For Sparky, it all started in the early 1980s, tagging along with his father, Cliff Sparks, to tailgates at LSU’s Tiger Stadium. There, he learned the essentials: food, fun, football, family, and being a good sport, no matter who you're sitting next to. Those early memories of Cajun cooking and communal joy stuck with him, and years later, when the Saints began to surge and the Superdome came back to life after Katrina, he brought that same energy to downtown New Orleans. With partners like Charlie, Reggie, Greg, and a crew of longtime friends (some of whom knew his dad), Sparky joined forces with a spirited bunch that came to be known as The Korner Krewe—a fan family as flavorful as their jambalaya and as lively as a brass band in the Quarter.

Each gameday, the Krewe transforms their corner lot into a proper Big Easy block party. There’s live music, elaborate setups, and food worthy of a festival. While some tailgates grill up burgers and call it a day, Tailg8NOLA rolls out gumbo, charbroiled oysters, jambalaya, shrimp, and classic Cajun fare that tells a story of place and passion. It’s not uncommon to see locals mixing with tourists, costumed superfans hugging it out with rival supporters, or families dropping by just to get a taste of the action. And with no open container law in New Orleans, the drinks flow as freely as the conversation. If you’re not smiling, dancing, or sampling something spicy within 10 minutes of arriving, you’ve probably wandered into the wrong party.

Sparky’s crew doesn’t just show up—they’ve made it their mission to represent New Orleans tailgating culture on the national stage. He’s competed on Food Network’s Tailgate Warriors with Guy Fieri, was named New Orleans’ #1 Tailgater by “Jay the Tailgate Guy,” and even earned the crown of “New Orleans King of Tailgating” during Bing’s National Tailgating Championship. But accolades aside, Sparky and the Krewe remain grounded in their roots. It’s about making people feel welcome, win or lose. It’s about bringing a little love from the Big Easy to the blacktop, one dish and one handshake at a time.

Tailgating in New Orleans is a decentralized, freewheeling affair. There are no official stadium lots for tailgaters, so the entire neighborhood around the Superdome becomes one sprawling festival. Fans camp out under the I-10 overpass, along South Rampart Street, and spill into Champions Square—a 60,000-square-foot party plaza where thousands gather for live music, food vendors, and pre-game revelry. But those in the know make a beeline for the corner of Clara and Poydras, where Tailg8NOLA and the Korner Krewe offer an experience that’s intimate, authentic, and unmistakably NOLA.

If you’re lucky enough to be invited in, don’t show up empty-handed and don’t forget to say thank you. The Krewe welcomes everyone, home or away, as long as you bring respect and a good attitude. Saints fans or not, all are invited to eat, laugh, and celebrate. Just be a good sport—and maybe try the oysters before asking for ketchup. Whether you're a lifelong Who Dat or just passing through with a love of football and food, the Korner Krewe has a plate, a seat, and a story waiting for you.

So when Sunday morning rolls around and the Superdome looms like a temple of thunder in the distance, follow the scent of Cajun spices and the sounds of zydeco or brass. You’ll know you’re getting close when the laughter grows louder and the air gets warmer with community and cooking. That’s not just the smell of game day—it’s the heartbeat of the Crescent City. And right there in the middle of it, you’ll find Tailg8NOLA and the Korner Krewe, doing what they’ve always done: spreading joy, serving food, and throwing one of the best tailgate parties in the NFL.