Bubba Franks, Donald Driver & Rob Davis will join John Jones & Bob Harlan on the Packers 'Tailgate Tour.'

MAKING STOPS IN MILWAUKEE, MADISON, LA CROSSE, WAUSAU AREAS; HARLAN, JONES, DRIVER, FRANKS, DAVIS TO SAY 'THANKS' IN PERSON

The Packers Thursday announced plans for the 'Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour,' a four-day, four-city bus trip to take place July 11-14, designed for the team to literally reach out across the state and thank fans in person for their enduring and enthusiastic support of the club through the years.

The event, the first of its kind for the team, will include Chairman Bob Harlan, President John Jones and players Donald Driver, Bubba Franks and Rob Davis. The tour will take place aboard a customized motor coach emblazoned with the logo "Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour" and the phrase "Touching Down in Your Community." The tour will make stops in Milwaukee (July 11) Madison (July 12), La Crosse (July 13) and Wausau (July 14).

The motor coach will make one scheduled stop during the day at a site to be determined in each city. At the visit, tour members will have the opportunity to interact with fans and deliver the message of "thanks." In addition to the planned stops, surprise stops will be made as the schedule allows.

Culminating the day's activities during the 'Tailgate Tour' will be an evening tailgate party in each city from 5:30 to 8 p.m., with a flavor of famous Lambeau Field tailgating, hosted by a local non-profit organization. The parties will feature food and mingling with the Packers representatives. At each tailgate party a football autographed by each tour member will be given away as a door prize. Tailgate party tickets will cost $20, with proceeds to benefit the hosting organization.

"We're excited about this new fan initiative for the team," said Harlan. "The Packers have enjoyed such wonderful support from our fans across the state and this is an opportunity for members of our organization and some of our players to go out and see many fans in person and say, 'Thanks.' "

Added Jones: "For so many years we've enjoyed fans coming to Lambeau Field and supporting the team and now we'll have the opportunity to visit them and show our appreciation. This will be a great addition to our community outreach efforts and being able to raise money in the process for some fine organizations is a nice benefit."

'Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour' evening tailgate party locations and ticket information are as follows (5:30 to 8 p.m. in each city):

- Milwaukee: Bradley Tech High School, July 11. To benefit Bradley Tech's new athletic field and park. Ticket purchase/information: Jan Breitbach (414/212-2410).

- Madison: Mandt Park in Stoughton, July 12. To benefit South Central Wisconsin Special Olympics. Ticket purchase/information: www.specialolympicswisconsin.org or call Theresa Steiner (608/222-1324 Ext. 350).

- La Crosse: Oktoberfest Grounds, July 13. To benefit Junior Achievement programs throughout Coulee Region. Ticket purchase/information: Festival Foods locations in La Crosse (608785-1000), Onalaska (608/781-2272) and Holmen (608/526-3339).

- Wausau: Dale's Weston Lanes, July 14. To benefit Woodson YMCA youth sports programs. Ticket purchase/information: Woodson YMCA Wausau (715/845-2177) and Aspirus (715/841-1850) Branches, Total Tan (715/355-4849) and Dale's Weston Lanes (715/359-8488).

Fans interested in 'Tailgate Tour' details are encouraged to visit www.packers.com often as information will be updated as the dates near. Fans can track each day's progress of the tour as well, with Web stories and photo galleries posted daily.