Event Details
The VINA Tailgate is back for its 18th year! The Tailgate starts at 5:30 pm on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Crystal Gardens in Howell, MI. This is VINA's largest and signature fundraising event that allows us to provide dental care to people in need, including seniors and veterans. Thank you for supporting VINA and spreading smiles in Livingston County.
It’s not just Michigan vs. MSU this year — all teams and rivalries are fair game! Rep your favorite pro, college, or high school football team at the Tailgate. Another exciting change is that this year’s Tailgate menu features a fresh lineup of BBQ favorites.
Your ticket purchase includes:
Expansive silent auction
Buffet dinner (BBQ)
Dollar-for-dollar gift cards
Raffles & Prizes
Cash Bar
Team Spirit Encouraged!
Show up in your favorite football team’s colors, apparel, or jersey - any team you cheer for!
Thank You Sponsors!
Want to become a sponsor? Click here!
Presenting Sponsor
Super-Fan Sponsor
Jumbotron Sponsors
Touchdown Sponsors
Booster Sponsors
Fan Sponsors
Extra Point Sponsors
In-Kind Sponsors
Donate an Item
Want to donate an item to the Tailgate? Fill out this form!
Thank You In-Kind Donors!
2 Stones Events
Airborne Adventure Park
Aleta's Flowers & Gifts
Andrea Banfield for Judge
Belle Tire
Beyond Juicery
Blue Birch Outfitters
Matt Breslin, Attorney at Law
Brighton Bar & Grill
Brunch Berry
Angelo & Penny Carlisi
Captain Scotty
Ciao Amici's
Cleary's Pub
Decode Detroit
Josephine DelVero
Joe & Theresa DeMaria
Dragonfly Emporium
Dow Gardens
El Patron
El Toro
For Feet's Sake
Bob Gardella
Great Harvest Bread Co.
Dr. Tom & Mary Hamway
Hush Intimate Apparel
Ivory Vines
Label Kitchen & Bar
Lakelands Golf & Country Club
Leo's Coney Island - Brighton
Lynn's on First
Mancino's Brighton
Jeff McGahey
Minerva's Salon & Wellness Spa
MSU 2024 Football Team
Dr. Gordon Niles
Oak Pointe Country Club
Chris O'Brien
Oh My Lolli!
Outdoor Adventure Center
Dr. Brian & Jean Petersburg
Seve & D'Anne Ramos
Reed Robin Brighton
Jeanette Robertson
Royal Oak Golf Center
Rush Lake Hills Golf Club
Steve Sadler
Judy Schalm
Nancy Smail
So Puzzled
Kara Stoltze
Kathleen Stoltze
Sweet Sensations
Karen Szerszen
The Breakfast Club
The Canopy Lounge
The Laundry
The Majestic Golf Course
The Purple Rose Theatre Company
Tim Hortons
Tomato Brothers
Triple Diamond Alpaca Ranch
University of Michigan Athletics
Gigi & Bill Vailliencourt
Wallflower Mercantile
About VINA
All proceeds support VINA and the thousands of low-income, uninsured patients in need of affordable dental care.
VINA is a nonprofit dental clinic established in 2008 and located in Brighton, Michigan. All of the patients at VINA have no dental insurance and income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. The out-of-pocket cost of dental care is too great and many patients do not have access to affordable dental care without the services of VINA. Many patients at VINA have not had dental care in years or even decades. Many experience frequent pain and other health complications from this lack of dental care. Oral health problems can prevent patients from receiving surgery or infection, taking a toll on overall health. VINA works to provide quality dental care and education to these underserved patients to improve health and quality of life. VINA patients only pay $25 per appointment and $10 for routine hygiene visits. This reduced financial burden for patients helps restore smiles in the community. VINA is funded through special events, donations and grants.
VINA also partners with local organizations to provide completely free dental care to low-income veterans.
Partnership with Livingston County Veteran Services — VINA partners with Livingston County Veteran Services to connect veterans in need to more resources. Any veteran that qualifies for VINA and is registered at LCVS can have their dental work paid for through this incredible partnership program. Learn more here.
Victors for Veterans Program — VINA is one of three clinics across the state of Michigan that works with the University of Michigan School of Dentistry to host a Victors for Veterans clinic site. Dental students sign up for this program to do clinical rotations at sites such as VINA under the supervision of local volunteers in order to give back to the men and women who served our country by providing comprehensive dental care completely free of charge.
Learn more about VINA and the various programs the clinic is involved with here.