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!  Going to the game isn’t back either because it means I get to plan a tailgate.

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 will be a full practice as well.

When:  Saturday, August 8th, 2015

          Parking lot opens 11 a.m.

          In stadium activities begin at 5:30 p.m. 

Tickets: Go on sale Monday, June 22nd at 1o a.m. CST.  Tickets are $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 so buying at the gate is not an option.

Parking:  The Lambeau Field parking lot is closest to the action.  Parking is only $5 with proceeds benefiting Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Foster Care Adoption Program.  I recommend parking in or close to the stadium.  It’s nice to have a car or a ‘home base’, especially when traveling with kids.  Parking lot opens at 11 a.m.   I believe the stadium parking lot was full around 1 p.m. last year.  We showed up a little late to the party and had to park in a nearby lot.  It was a short walk and the walk took us past the Packers practice field, which was cool to see.  The Lambeau lot is always full of excitement!  Last year there is 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 by group.  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

Family Night  2015 is the 15th year anniversary of Packers Family Night.  The stadium will begin activities at 5:30 p.m.  Warm-ups begin at 6:30 p.m. and practice officially starts at 7:30 p.m.  As I mentioned, tickets are sold on a first come first serve basis.  Last year we ordered our tickets shortly after they went on sale 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 Jerseys off our Backs raffle.  Basically, they call out seat numbers and if you are holding the ticket to that seat, you win the jersey off the given player’s 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.  We had two exhausted kids last year and headed back to the hotel about around 8:30 p.m., when I think the night concluded with fireworks around 9:30 p.m.

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 makeshift 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.

Most importantly, have fun and Go Pack Go!

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