GREEN BAY PACKERS' 2005 TRAINING CAMP OPENS THIS WEEK; LAMBEAU FIELD PREPARED FOR FANS AND FUN
Green Bay Packers players are checking in this week and the team's fans already have begun to "report" as well, to take in all the football fun Lambeau Field offers for the next five weeks during 2005 training camp.
"It's an exciting time of year for all Packers fans," said John Jones, Packers Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "The new season is getting underway and everyone is thrilled to see their favorite players back on the practice field. In addition to watching practice, we're excited about all the related activities in the Atrium that fans can enjoy, including the Packers Experience, the Packers Hall of Fame and stadium tours."
Kari Sliva, president of the Packer Country Visitor and Convention Bureau, added: "Training camp is a very special event that attracts more than 100,000 people each year to the Green Bay area to kick off the football season. Fans from across the United States and as many as 20 foreign countries attend training camp, and schedule the event as their family vacation.
"The Packer Country VCB estimates the economic impact of training camp to the Green Bay area exceeds $35 million annually. In 2004, annual travel expenditures to Brown County jumped eight percent (8%) to $475 million. The VCB attributes much of the growth to the newly renovated Lambeau Field and increased activities during training camp."
Beginning tomorrow, July 26, through Aug. 28, fans will have the opportunity to watch more than 35 practices on Clarke Hinkle Field, weather permitting. Before, between and after practices, camp visitors can partake in a plethora of Packers activities at the Lambeau Field Atrium.
To assist fans with keeping track of the daily practice schedule, **www.packerstrainingcamp.com** is available online and a complimentary camp guide, along with editions of the Green Bay Press-Gazette and Appleton Post-Crescent, are available daily at practice. Information on practice times, Lambeau Field Atrium offerings and the Packers Experience schedule is included.
The Packers Experience, a popular interactive games area that drew more than 36,000 kids in 2004, returns for its second summer at historic Lambeau Field in the concourse area, adjacent to the Atrium. From July 26 through Aug. 24, fans can access the Packers Experience through the Atrium's Miller Brewing Company Gate off Lombardi Avenue at the north end of Lambeau Field. It is FREE to the public and open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays, with some exceptions. All children 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult or guardian to enter the Packers Experience area. This area will not be open on Aug. 5-6, 11-12, and 21 to accommodate Family Night, Presented by FOX 11, and both preseason home games.
The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame again will be a popular destination for many training camp attendees this summer. More than 28,000 fans went through the Hall during camp in 2004. Its extended training camp hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (920/569-7512 hotline). Lambeau Field Stadium Tours, which drew almost 24,000 fans during last summer's camp, features expanded hours during as well: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Ticket sales begin at 8:00 a.m. (920/569-7513 hotline).
The Packers Pro Shop also features extending training camp hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays (800/992-5750 hotline).
Additionally, the Lambeau Field Atrium will be open to visitors and contains seven dining options and two retail shop choices.
