NEW AUTOGRAPH PROCESS IN PLACE FOR THIS YEAR

Tickets were mailed this week for the third annual Packers Fan Fest, taking place March 9-10 at the Lambeau Field Atrium. Approximately 1,000 people, representing 3,500 tickets, will receive mailings.

During the two-week signup period (Jan. 8-26), about 1,400 individuals submitted applications, accounting for 5,000 requested tickets.

The Packers Wednesday also announced a new autograph procedure for this year's Fan Fest 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.

Each autograph session will be open only to fans possessing the corresponding ticket. To further enhance the timeliness of the procedure, no posed pictures will be allowed. One item to be signed per person, per autograph session will be allowed. Players appearing are subject to change.

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. Attendees are advised to note the times on each ticket in order to plan accordingly if making a trade. Selling autograph tickets is prohibited.

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 four autographs as well as the opportunity to take in more attractions at Fan Fest.

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.

On the player front, the team announced Nick Barnett and Ahman Green will join Aaron Kampman in participating in the popular gathering which teams fans with their favorite players, past and present. Other highlights again include a Friday Fan Fest kickoff event and a tour through the team's famed locker room.

As previously announced, this year's edition features one major change: a switch to two days from the previous three-day affair. 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.

Fan Fest partners include Chevrolet and Goodwill Industries. A portion of Fan Fest proceeds will go to charity through the Green Bay Packers Foundation.

Click here for additional information. Further details, including player appearances, will be announced in the coming weeks.