Totally Tailgate brings a win for Girls Inc.

Stepping into the ballroom was like walking into a gameday parking lot party at your alma mater — complete with folding chairs, solo cups and a realistic Florida gator head — Sept. 23 at Michael’s On East.

And that’s exactly the point of the Totally Tailgate fundraiser: fly your team’s colors, play some tailgate games and eat and drink to your heart’s content in true gameday fashion.

Guests at the 2nd annual event listened to live music by Version 3.0, played cornhole, jenga and beer pong and watched their favorite teams take to the field on the multiple screens displaying Saturday night football games. New this year was a beer garden that sported several local craft brews.

The fundraiser benefited Girls Inc. of Sarasota County, which inspires young girls to be strong, smart and bold through research-based educational after-school and summer programs.