The Origin of Big Time Helmets™ Tailgating Trailers
The concept for Big Time Helmets™ was sparked in 2001 when Jay Parsons, founder of Big Time Tailgate, LLC, heard a radio ad about tailgating. While the details of the ad have long since faded, one thought stood out clearly:
“What if you could tailgate inside a giant football helmet? That would be an unforgettable way to celebrate!”
From this initial spark, the vision began to take shape. Jay imagined a massive football-helmet-shaped mobile party camper that could be mounted on pickup trucks, giving fans the ultimate way to showcase their team pride.
As he shared his idea, the feedback helped refine the concept. Friends and advisors encouraged Jay to make the helmet larger and mount it on a trailer rather than a truck. This adjustment made the design more practical for storage and use while enhancing its appeal as a centerpiece for tailgating events.
With that, the Big Time Helmets™ Tailgating Trailers were born—a bold, innovative solution to bring fans together and revolutionize the tailgating experience.
In 2008, amidst the economic downturn, Jay took a proactive step to refine his vision by furthering his education. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Central Florida and later completed the prestigious Veterans Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Florida. These programs provided him with the tools and knowledge to advance his concept into a fully developed business model.
Following his graduation, Jay founded Big Time Tailgate, LLC, and secured a patent for the Big Time Helmets™ Tailgating Trailer. With a solid foundation and innovative design in place, Jay is now poised to bring his vision to life through production, redefining the tailgating experience for fans everywhere.
Meet the Team
Jay Parsons
Founder & President
Jay Parsons was born in Miami, Florida, and raised in West Melbourne. From a young age, Jay demonstrated a passion for thinking creatively and pursuing ambitious goals. He played football as a running back from fifth grade through high school, cultivating a strong sense of teamwork and determination.
After graduating, Jay launched his first entrepreneurial venture alongside his father—a vending machine and arcade game business. To promote the business, he sold hot popcorn at his high school’s Friday night football games, donning a giant yellow foam cowboy hat and branding himself as the “Sunshine Popcorn Man.” Even at 18, Jay was already thinking big and making bold moves to stand out.
As the business grew, Jay and his father expanded into cigarette machines and pool tables, riding the wave of the arcade and video game boom. However, when the amusement craze waned, they pivoted and sold the business to a larger company.
Following this, Jay enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving four years of active duty. Upon completing his service, he partnered with a fellow Marine to start an auto detailing business specializing in applying Teflon® finishes to cars, boats, and planes. While the business was short-lived, the experience added to Jay’s entrepreneurial toolkit. He later joined the Marine Corps Reserve but had to step back due to an injury sustained during active duty training.
After his recovery, Jay discovered his passion for boat building. Through dedication and hands-on learning, he gained expertise in constructing boats from concept to completion. Over the years, he worked for several companies building boats and crafting custom interiors for boats and coaches, while also operating his own carpentry business.
This extensive experience, spanning decades of craftsmanship and innovation, laid the foundation for Jay to envision and create Big Time Helmets™—a bold, unique concept that blends his technical expertise with his entrepreneurial spirit. Today, he continues to build on that vision, transforming his dream into reality.
Find out more about Big Time Tailgate by contacting us today. Also, like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, and keep an eye out for the Big announcements for the Big Time Helmets™ Tailgating Trailer!