The Green Bay Packers are prepared for Thursday's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the final matchup of the preseason.
Thursday's game is the annual Bishop's Charities Game, the 54th year that the Packers have designated a preseason game as the Bishop's Charities Game. To date, the series has raised more than $3.7 million for charity efforts in the Green Bay Diocese.
Continuing this tradition, Bishop Ricken of the Green Bay Diocese will greet fans at the game and present an award to the MVP from last year's Bishop's Charities Game, Tim Masthay. Amanda Vernon, a Christian recording artist from Grand Rapids, Mich., will sing the National anthem and play the keyboard.
Law enforcement officials are reminding fans to use caution while driving through construction zones on the way to and from Lambeau Field. To avoid congestion at the Hwy. 172 interchange, fans heading south on Hwy 41 after the game should use Ashland Avenue through the roundabout in De Pere to reach the highway. For more information, visit the Wisconsin DOT's website at 511wi.gov or by dialing 511.
Thursday's game will continue the Packers' recognition of USA Football Month as the Packers have invited four teams from the Mayville Youth Football League to play each other on the field during halftime. The teams will also be on the field during the national anthem. In addition, the Packers have donated more than 1,500 tickets to Thursday's game youth football leagues throughout Wisconsin.
USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the Green Bay Packers, the NFL, the NFL Players Association and the league's other 31 teams. 'USA Football Month,' a national campaign that takes place throughout the NFL preseason, incorporates youth football scrimmages at NFL stadiums and shares USA Football messages during network preseason telecasts.
USA Football also developed the Heads Up Football program in order to address the complex challenges of player health and safety in youth and high school football. It also hosts player safety clinics to help coaches implement safety initiatives. Additional details can be found online at usafootball.com.
The Green Bay Metro gameday bus service is available again this year, with service to multiple areas of Green Bay. The four, free service routes, designed to reach Green Bay's major key routes and fan-heavy areas during Packers home games, will run five hours before each game and three hours after. Extended hours will be provided during night games. Further details and gameday route information is available at greenbaymetro.org/en-us/packers/default.aspx.
Fans are reminded that the NFL'sstadium safety policy, announced last season, remains in effect at Lambeau Field for all home games. As part of the new policy, no bags or purses will be allowed inside Lambeau Field unless they are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and are no larger than 12" by 6" by 12". Small clutches that do not exceed 4.5" by 6.5" are permitted. Stadium cushions are also not allowed as a part of the new policy, however, stadium seats and stadium pads that contain no pockets or zippers and are 18" wide or smaller are allowed. For more information on the NFL's new policy, please visit nfl.com/allclear.
Fans should also be aware that beginning four hours prior to kickoff, any guest that leaves Lambeau Field after entering will not be permitted to re-enter with the same ticket. It is recommended that fans allow extra time for entry into Lambeau Field. Gates open two hours prior to kickoff.
Thursday's game will feature magnetic game schedules as the game giveaway, compliments of Cenex.
Also taking place at Thursday night's preseason game is the premier gameday tailgate party in the Tundra Tailgate Zone (TTZ) in the Lambeau Field parking lot. Activities include photo opportunities, interactive games and food and beverage sampling. More information on the Tundra Tailgate Zone can be found online at packers.com/gameday/gameday-information.html#s3.
The Packers Pro Shop will be open to all guests through the entrance facing Lombardi Avenue between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. TheLambeau Field Atrium, guest relations desk and Packers Pro Shop will open at 2 p.m. for ticketed guests only. The Lambeau Field parking lot will open at 2 p.m. along with the Tundra Tailgate Zone. Gates will open at 4 p.m. and kickoff is at 6:00 p.m. For more gameday information, visit packers.com/gameday/gameday-information.html.
