Lambeau Field is ready for Sunday's game between the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans, which will feature the Packers' annual Toys for Tots collection prior to the game.
The Toys for Tots collection offers fans the opportunity to donate new, unwrapped toys for distribution to needy children in the area through the U.S. Marine Corps. Cash donations will be accepted as well. U.S. Marines will be stationed throughout the parking lots to collect Toys for Tots donations prior to gate openings, and will continue collecting donations through kickoff.
Sunday's game also will celebrate the annual Punt, Pass and Kick Competition and students from the NFL's Fuel Up to Play 60 program will be recognized on the field before kickoff.
Prior to the game, the Packers will host the team championship of the annual NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competitionat the Don Hutson Center. The participants, 20 boys and 20 girls ages 6 to 15, advanced through local, regional and sectional competitions across Wisconsin to reach the championship contest, and will display their passing talents on Lambeau Field as part of the pregame festivities. The competition's winners will be introduced at that time.
The organization also is reminding game attendees to allow plenty of time to enter the stadium gates prior to the game and to enter at the gate listed on their tickets. All fans entering Lambeau Field on gameday will use walk-through metal detectors, a league-wide mandate for use at all NFL stadium gates. The most efficient way through the detectors will be via express lanes at each gate for fans entering the stadium without any bags or stadium seats.
As in previous years, 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, 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 safety policy, please visit packers.com/carryin.
Two featured alumni are scheduled to make appearances Sunday; Marco Riveraand Ken Ruettgerswill be taking part in fan activities at the Tundra Tailgate Zone and Legends Club, respectively, leading up to kickoff.
In addition, the Packers and WPS Health Solutions will be recognizing U.S. Army Colonel (retired) Dan Goldthorpeand his family through Operation Fan Mail on-field prior to the national anthem.
Country musician Clare Dunnwill perform the national anthem. Additionally, a flyover will be performed by two U.S. Navy F-18 jets, supported by the VFC-12, NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, Va.
Sunday's pregame festivities will also honor Matthew Vorpahl from Lawrence, Wis., as the Shopko Kick-off Kid. Matthew is being honored in the Shopko Kids Making a Difference program for supporting the K-9 police unit in his community after raising money at his lemonade stand to care for Bax, the newest K-9 addition to the unit. Learn more at shopko.com/kickoffkid.
At halftime, the High School Quarterback Challenge, presented by HPE and Camera Corner, will feature players fromAshwaubenon High SchoolandGreen Bay Southwest High Schoolin an on-field competition. Next, an ultimate Frisbee competitionwill take place between the Madison Radicals, Wisconsin's only professional ultimate team, and the Wisconsin College All-Star Team, comprised of players who compete on university teams in Wisconsin.
Mittens, compliments of Sentry, will be distributed to fans the giveaway item at the game.
All fans, even those without game tickets, can attend the premier gameday tailgate party in the Tundra Tailgate Zone (TTZ) in the Lambeau Field parking lot, featuring live bands, alumni autographs and food and beverages. The Lambeau Field Atrium, parking lots and TTZ will open at 8 a.m., and stadium gates will open at 10 a.m. Visit http://www.packers.com/gameday/ for more information.
