Packers Fan Fest attendees this year will have more football-related presentations to enjoy, including sessions with offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and director of college scouting John Dorsey, the team announced today.
The additional sessions are part of Fan Fest's increased number of offerings at the two-day event, designed to give fans an informative, first-hand look at different areas of the team's operations, both on and off the field. In addition to the offense, defense and scouting "101" sessions, other new sessions include looks at the team's strength and conditioning and coaches' video operations, as well as an in-depth look at the construction of Lambeau Field's new playing surface. Popular presentations from past years featuring the team's athletic training staff and equipment staff return as well.
The team also announced additions to the player lineup, including Aaron Rodgers and Packers Hall of Fame 2007 inductees Robert Brooks and LeRoy Butler. Also added were Nick Collins, Lynn Dickey, Cullen Jenkins, Brady Poppinga, Dave Rayner, Jason Spitz, Scott Wells and Corey Williams. They join Nick Barnett, Ahman Green and Aaron Kampman at the popular gathering which teams fans with their favorite players, past and present.
Fan Fest this year has a new autograph procedure requiring tickets for participation in each autograph session. Upon entering the event, each attendee will receive a Fan Fest program containing four autograph tickets, with each of the four tickets listing the location and time of its autograph session. Fans must obtain the autographs at the assigned times. Autograph sessions will be at varying times during the two-day event, with some attendees receiving one ticket for a Friday night session and three tickets for Saturday sessions, and others receiving four tickets for Saturday sessions.
The new procedure, developed from fan feedback, Fan Fest review and study of other, similar fan events, makes the process more organized and guarantees each attendee a total of four autographs as well as the opportunity to take in more attractions at Fan Fest.
As part of the new procedure, an autograph ticket "trading zone" will be available for attendees to trade autograph tickets with other attendees who have a different player lineup. Selling autograph tickets is prohibited.
In addition to the scheduled autograph sessions, fans will have the opportunity to interact with Fan Fest participants Friday evening at a meet-and-greet session with the team's coaching staff, as well as Saturday when some participants randomly will be appearing at different areas of the event.
This year, the same amount of Packers fun - autograph sessions, main-stage presentations, children's activities, etc. - has been efficiently scheduled over the course of two days rather than three. The new format, developed from attendee feedback and internal review, allows greater flexibility for local fans planning the weekend and for out-of-town guests making travel arrangements.
The schedule for Fan Fest on March 9 will be from 3 to 10 p.m., with a kickoff event at 4 p.m. On March 10, Fan Fest will run from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tickets include, in addition to entrance to the two-day event, admission to the Packers Hall of Fame and a tour through the Packers locker room. Children 3 and under enter free and do not require a ticket. Parking for the event is free off of Ridge Road and Lombardi Avenue.
Fan Fest partners include Chevrolet and Goodwill Industries. A portion of Fan Fest proceeds will go to charity through the Green Bay Packers Foundation.
More Fan Fest details, including specific autograph procedures, are available online at www.packers.com. Further details, including player appearances, will be announced in the coming weeks.
