GREEN BAY , WI -- Thousands of Packer fans are coming from far and wide Sunday to set up the tailgate grill and do what they do best.
It felt like a game day for the Green and Gold today, except without an actual game. That's because the 16th annual Packers Family Night filled Lambeau Field to the brim with eager fans.
Like your typical home game, it was a sold out experience.
"We came up here to make a day of it," smiles Bruce Cook, of Racine, as a crowd of 20 family members and friends busies themselves around the grill, "to be with family, and friends, and the grandkids."
"I tailgate at my aunt's house at least twice a year," says fan Rachel Hoppe, of Marinette. "She lives a block away, [and] we have food, everything."
For Hoppe, and many others who have been life-long Packer fans, today is still a first.
"This is my first year here for Family Night," says Cook.
"Actually I've never done this before," says Hoppe.
Many could be seen arriving hours ahead of schedule.
"Probably around 9:00 this morning," recalls one fan.
With preseason games still weeks away, you'd think it was game day Sunday at Lambeau Field. Droves of fans and families coming from across the state-some even from across the county-just to catch their favorite team in action.
"Its a lot more relaxed than a normal game," says Hoppe. "You're not like, 'oh, are they going to win? Are they going to lose?'"
Players can be seen running drills, and scrimmages for the fans--many of whom will tell you finding game day tickets isn't always easy.
"I've lost my connection to tickets," admits Cook, "so now I'm trying to find new connections."
"Months in advance," laughs Hoppe, referring to how long it takes to get your hands on a game-day ticket. "You've got to know people, that's the main thing. You've got to know someone."
It's because of this reality for many that makes Family Night about just that: being close to those you love most, while enjoying a passion that many Wisconsinites have passed down from generation, to generation.
"It means having the grandkids enjoy football," says Cook. "Racine has a small minor league team called the Racine Raiders, and we go to those games, too."
For many, it's proof that it's more than just a game, but the entire experience that keeps this tradition alive.
