The ethanol industry has kicked off a new promotion with tailgate parties and pump promotions centered around pro football games this fall.

According to Reece Nanfito, Ethanol Promotion and Information Council’s senior director of marketing, promotions for the fuel are planned to take place prior to professional football match-ups around the country.

“At the tailgating parties, we have tents and banners and in many cases we’ll have the IndyCar Series simulator car there. And as people walk into the stadium and celebrate before they go to the big game we will be promoting the benefits of ethanol and handing out brochures and information.”

The first tailgate parties were held on Sunday October 1 in Houston and Washington DC, and October 2 in Philadelphia. Nanfito says the pump promotions are taking place at various retailers in some of the cities prior to the games as well.

Ethanol tailgate parties are scheduled for football games in New York, Indianapolis and Philadelphia on Sunday, October 8; Dallas, Pittsburgh, New York, Washington DC and Baltimore on Sunday, October 15; Houston, Kansas City and Buffalo on Sunday, October 22; Dallas on Monday, October 23; Buffalo and Philadelphia on Sunday, October 29; and Washington DC, Baltimore and Pittsburgh on Sunday, November 5.

Pump promotions are scheduled to be held on Friday, October 6 in Philadelphia; October 13 and 14 in Dallas; October 20 and 21 in Houston; and November 4 in Washington DC.