Tailgate Party is a Huge Success for Team Strongsville

An estimated 700-900 people turned out for a tailgate party before the Strongsville Mustangs football game Friday night, the first event for the newly formed community group, Team Strongsville.

"It was a huge success," said Collette Fine, organizer of Team Strongsville. "It was just a great event."

Guests enjoyed hot dogs and other treats provided by the 28 vendors, played games, jumped on inflatables and listed to a DJ at the party, which took place in the Strongsville High School parking lot just before the Mustangs defeated Lake Catholic in their first football game of the season.

"The stadium was packed," Fine said. "There were a lot of families who'd never been to a football game who stayed and loved it — they said they'd be back."

That's the mission of Team Strongsville — to promote pride in the community.

Fine said when she first mentioned her idea for a service-based, independent community group Aug. 1, people couldn't wait to jump on board. Thirty days later, the group had a volunteer board of 11 directors and its first event.

What's next? Fine is already bouncing a couple ideas around for this fall. 

She said Team Strongsville will work with local businesses and the school district on its next events. 

She added that students "really stepped up" for the tailgate party, helping to promote it on social media and turning out in droves on Friday night.

The event also brought out teachers, as well as city and school officials, according to Fine.

"It was just heartwarming to see everyone there together," she said.