But the Big Story on Action News is a Tailgate Planned for Jim Gardner's Final Newscast
What won’t Philadelphians tailgate? Eagles games, Phillies World Series games, and now the most beloved newscaster in this city’s history:
We are tailgating the Action News station parking lot during Jim Gardners final broadcast. It's been decided.
— SAID (@MikoWitYaMoney) November 11, 2021
It’s actually happening. Here are details from Franki Rudnesky via Philly Voice:
In November 2021, (Chris) Miko proposed the tailgate on Twitter. The idea soon received over 1,500 likes and tons of comments by people expressing their support for the event.
Just over a year later, the party is coming to fruition. Miko has even ordered T-shirts featuring vintage photos of Gardner for the event.
Attendees to Wednesday’s tailgate are encouraged to bring signs with messages for Gardner. Miko said he’s hoping to set up a screen so attendees will be able to watch the anchor’s final broadcast from the tailgate, and a certain song will be on loop throughout the celebration.
“I hope people really enjoy the Action News theme song because it will be played a lot,” Miko said.
Miko originally hoped to have the event by the NBC10 building across the street, but with construction going on there he instead opted for the Target parking lot at 4000 Monument Road, just off City Avenue.
Tailgating in a Target parking lot for a legendary newscaster’s retirement is so Philly, and no lie it actually seems better than tailgating at the Linc. All you have to do is bring alcohol and you can get everything else in the store. Why hasn’t Target thought of this before? Who uses FDR Park anymore? Build me one of those giant Targets across from D Lot so when your dad forgets something he can walk over to get it instead of fighting with your mom for the rest of the afternoon. It’s better than the Wawa “Stadium Store”.
Here’s Jim Gardner’s opening after the Eagles won the Super Bowl. Some people have said the Super Bowl didn’t feel real until they heard Jim announce it:
Jim Gardner anchors his last Action News show tonight. Here's the 2018 open after the Super Bowl win: pic.twitter.com/oU6b8pc2J2
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) December 21, 2022