Children may look up to the Green Bay Packers, but they also like to submerge them.
And they received their chance on Saturday afternoon as Packers running back Tony Fisher helped the Northeastern Wisconsin Zoo in Green Bay, Wis. celebrate it's third annual "Tail"Gate, an event which included a dunk tank, food, music and interactive sports games.
Fisher signed autographs and posed for pictures as an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 people attended the zoo's function, according to NEW Zoo director, Neil Anderson.
"It's an opportunity for me to be out in the public and intermingle with the fans," Fisher said. "Just to see the smiles on the kids' face -- that means a lot."
Indeed the children grinned when Fisher perched himself atop the dunk tank. For $1, they received five softball throws and five chances to drench the running back.
Fisher, however, was less enthused about getting dunked at first. He prefers to approach water more cautiously.
"When I get in a pool, I like to dab my toes in first," he said.
After several dunks, Fisher enjoyed the activity. Plus it served as a way to cool off from the afternoon's sweltering high 80-degree temperatures.
"It was fun," he said. "The first few times it was quite refreshing. Then it got a little cold up there."
The "Tail" Gate, which took place from 9 to 6 p.m., featured inflatable slides, football throwing contests, a bluegrass band, a clown, a motorcycle raffle and a barbecue with all proceeds going toward the zoo.
Packers players including running back Ahman Green, cornerback Joey Thomas and defensive tackles James Lee and Kenny Peterson have participated during the event's last three years. This year zoo staffers appreciated Fisher's efforts.
"If we can get somebody like Tony out here, that's a bonus for us," Anderson said. "Look at all the people who come out her to check out the zoo and get an opportunity to be close to one of the Packers."
