I married a Packer lover!  As a native of Wisconsin I’ve always rooted for the Packers – for as much rooting as I did.  Sure, I wanted them to win, but my interest in the Packers centered around the party and the socialization.  It was an added bonus when they won, but I didn’t really care about the details as to how they achieved victory and certainly did not want the play by play.  Thanks to a roommate in college, an obsessed husband and a few trips to Lambeau Field, I’ve gotten a little more into the details.  It’s a win/win in our household when my husband wants to have friends over for a game.  He gets to spend the afternoon watching football and I get to spend the afternoon doing what I love – cooking and entertaining!

My son has taken after his father and is a complete fanatic.  Whether it’s the Packers, Brewers, Badgers or even the Admirals and the Wave, he is eager to cheer on his home state to a victory.  My daughter loves Wisconsin sports as well – for the party and socialization.  Like mother, like daughter.

When I heard about Packer’s Family Night I knew it was a must!  Here are the details:

What:  Historically, Family Night has been a scrimmage.  Last year it was changed up to be a full practice with a little team scrimmage at the end.  The 2015 format has not been announced.

When:  Last year it was held on Saturday, August 2nd.  The 2015 date has yet to be announced, but it’s generally held the Saturday before the first preseason game.  Based on that I’m guessing it will be Saturday, August 8th.  The date of Family Night and the ticket sale date is usually announced in early June.

Tickets: $10 each and are available on a first come first serve basis through Ticketmaster.  This means you can get any seat in the house for $10!  It is important to note that everyone needs a ticket – even the littlest Packer fans.  Tickets will sell out!

Parking:  The Lambeau Field parking lot is closest to the action.  Parking was only $5 and all proceeds went to Wendy’s Wonderful Kids foster care adoption program.  Some of the nearby lots charged more and are a little further away.  I recommend parking in or close to the stadium.   The fun started at 11 a.m. when the parking lot opened.  I believe the stadium parking lot was full around 1 p.m.  We showed up a little late to the party, so we had to park in a nearby lot.  The Lambeau lot was full of excitement!  There was sign making, airbrush tattoos, live music, free product samples & tailgating.  Food is sold, so if you are just not up for tailgating, that is an option.  Some of the nearby lots also had activities.

Tailgating:  is permitted.  I think you could ask 1,000 people and get 2,000 different answers as to what you need to take tailgating.  The answer really does vary per individual.  I think this is a decent, general starting list:

• Grill
• Food – Tons of good options!  Basically, if you can grill it, I’ve seen it at a tailgate.  Have fun with it – even if your idea of fun is a really great burger.
• Beverages
• Chairs
• Music
• Football to throw
• A garbage bag (or 2)
• A roll of paper towel
• Table
• Plates
• I like to bring a vinyl table cloth – (optional, but useful)
• Bag toss (also optional, but fun!)
• If you have kids I also suggest:
  • A kids picnic table
  • Bubbles
  • Sidewalk chalk
  • Glow sticks

Family Night  The stadium opened at 5:30 and the warm-ups began at 6:30.  Like I mentioned before, tickets are on a first come first serve basis.  We ordered our tickets shortly after they went on sale last year and ended up with awesome seats in the Packer’s end zone.

 

The fun is not over after the practice and scrimmage.  Make sure to stick around for the ‘Jersey’s off our Backs’ raffle and the fireworks.  Basically, they call out seat numbers and if you are holding the ticket to that seat, you win the jersey off the given players back.  You must be present to win, so if for some reason you need to leave early, it’s a nice gesture to give your ticket stub to someone staying to give them an extra chance to win.  The night ended around 9:30.

Hotels:  I recommend going on your favorite travel site and booking a room with free cancellation before the date is announced.  Most travel sites give you the option of free cancellation.  They charge and extra $10-$20 for the room (free?), but it’s well worth it to spend a little extra on the room, because last year I noticed room rates almost doubled after the date of Family Night was announced.

Other fun tips and tricks:  Now for the fun part – some interesting tips and tricks.

1. For safety reasons purses and bags are no longer available in Lambeau field.  The only exception is clear bags.  I didn’t know this and had to take my purse back to the car.  (My husband’s cargo shorts had to serve as a make shift diaper bag.)
2. Bring your camera if you end up with good seats.  You can get lots of great pictures of the players.  I believe they allow cameras with up to a 14″ lens.  If you have some super fancy camera, it might be worth a call to ask if you can bring it in.
3. You will have a chance to meet some of the players if you wait by the players parking lot before the stadium opens.  A lot of the players will roll down their windows to sign autographs and greet fans.  If you really want a signed jersey or football, now is your chance.

(Here are my little ones waiting by the gate to the players parking lot.)

Most importantly, have fun and do what works for your family!  I will publish an update to this post when this year’s Family Night information is announced.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask me.

Go Pack Go!