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It's the "Rebirth of a Legend." That's the theme of a weeklong grand opening celebration held to mark the completion of the $295-million redevelopment of the most recognized venue in sports history. The rededication of Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay Packers, will take place on Sunday, September 7th, 2003 following a week of events and activities that will offer something for every Packers fan.
The Grand Opening celebration events schedule was announced today at a news conference in the soon-to-be complete Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay. "After more than two years of redevelopment, we want to say thank you in a big way to our fans, the local community and those who have helped make Lambeau the most storied sports facility in the NFL," said Green Bay Packers President Bob Harlan. "The new Lambeau will be enjoyed year-round by fans from around the globe."
"Rebirth of a Legend" will be more than just a theme for the week. A special "Rebirth of a Legend" logo was unveiled today. "We believe this logo captures the proud history and tradition of Lambeau and the Packers. It's a great way to recognize a special time in our team's history," explained Harlan. "While Lambeau has been redeveloped, it is still the same great place for football." Packers players will wear the logo patch on their uniforms for our first home game of the season against the Minnesota Vikings on September 7th." The logo patch will also be available for purchase at the Packers Pro Shop. Mark Schmitz, of ZD Studios in Madison, designed the logo.
Kicking off the week of activities will be Brown County Appreciation Day, on Sunday, August 31st from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the public, will include free carnival rides for children, free live music, self-guided tours of Lambeau Field and a special thank you program to be held at 1:00 p.m. in the Atrium featuring Packers officials and invited celebrity guests. Local officials will also be recognized. Food will be available at reduced prices during the day.
"It is important to the Packers to begin the week by saying thank you, in particular to the residents of Brown County who have supported us through thick and thin - not only through approval of the sales tax referendum, but in many other ways when we needed them," said Packers Special Events Executive Dee Geurts-Bengtson.
On Labor Day, Monday September 1st, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Labor of Love - Labor Day Picnic will be sponsored by the Greater Green Bay Labor Council's AFL-CIO Community Services group and the Green Bay Packers. It will feature live music, the Oneida dancers, games, children's activities, food, a dunk tank, a "Basketball Toss Off" contest to support the United Way of Brown County and much, much more.
"We feel Lambeau and the Atrium will be a great place to hold our event," said Rick LeMieux, Director of AFL-CIO Community Services. "Our workers spent thousands of hours on the job here, providing skilled labor to help redevelop Lambeau into the beautiful facility you see today. We're all very proud of their efforts and of the efforts of union labor everywhere. We believe we'll have a great turnout for this event."
Individual tickets for the Labor of Love Picnic are $8.00 (ages 12 and up), $4.00 for children ages 1-12, children under 1 are free. There is also a family package deal for $20 that includes 2 adult and 4 children tickets. All entry fees include food tickets and wristbands for beverages. For tickets, call 468-7186.
As the week progresses, the "Robert E. Harlan Plaza" will be dedicated on Tuesday, September 2nd at 5:00 p.m. The Executive Committee of the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors has designated that the main entrance plaza at Lambeau be named after Packers President Bob Harlan. "Without Bob, this redevelopment would not have been possible," said Executive Committee Member Don Harden. "He worked so hard on the project, even going door to door during the referendum. Plus, during the 1990s, Bob helped bring back the Packers glory and winning ways. To win the Super Bowl was outstanding and Bob brought in the right people to help get us there. For all he's done, it's appropriate that we make this lasting tribute to him." A special program and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque will mark the festivities.
On Wednesday, September 3rd, the world premiere of "The Legend of Lambeau Field" will be held in the Atrium at the Associated Bank Club Level from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This is an exclusive event, with Packers DVD retail and media outlets offering the public a chance to win tickets to attend the premiere.
"The Legend of Lambeau Field" is a 90 minute, DVD / film featuring the epic moments that made Lambeau Field the most storied stadium in football, including newly rediscovered video from the Ice Bowl. The Packers, along with producers Steve Boettcher and Jack Jones, spent the past two and a half years collecting rare, never-before publicly seen film and archival footage of Lambeau. There are 40 all new interviews from Packers legends past and present, Hall of Famers and coaches as well as the fans. In addition, there will be another 90 minutes worth of bonus material.
"We know Packers fans are devoted to this team and to this stadium," said Craig Benzel, the Packers Director of Marketing. "We worked hard to compile the most complete and exciting moments in Lambeau's history. It is destined to become a collector's item." The DVD / film will be available for $19.95 through the Packers Pro Shop as well as participating Packers Partner retailers (store listings to be announced at later date) on Thursday, September 4, 2003.
There's even more in store for Packers' history buffs during the Grand Opening week. They won't want to miss the dedication of the new Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, September 4th. The dedication will feature the unveiling of a new Hall of Fame logo as well as invited guest speakers Ron Wolf, Bart Starr and other celebrity guests. The program is free and open to the public.
The new, 18,000 square foot Hall of Fame features interactive exhibits including the Champions Timeline, the genuine Lombardi Super Bowl Trophies, several mini-theaters and an awe-inspiring area where the Packers' Hall of Fame plaques will be displayed.. There will also be a children's area where the youngest fans can take part in football action, including doing the Lambeau Leap.
The Lambeau Field Inaugural Ball presented by Nsight Telservices will take place in the Atrium on Friday, September 5th. This black tie optional gala will benefit the St. Mary's Hospital Endowment, which provides charitable health care programming in northeast Wisconsin. The gala includes receptions, celebrity guests, dinner and a dance in the Atrium. The 700-seat event is sold out.
The intensity builds going into the home opener weekend. On Saturday night September 6th, an historic, two hour, live, grand opening television event will be held inside Lambeau Field to celebrate the "Rebirth of a Legend." Packers fans are expected to "pack" Lambeau for this once in a lifetime event. "This is one of the most exciting TV programs we've been involved with," said Packers COO and Executive Vice President John Jones. "It will be a phenomenal show that will feature live music, Packers legends past and present, special videos, highlights of Lambeau's greatest moments and a tribute to the greatest fans in the world - Packers fans." While the event begins at 6:00 p.m., the show will air live on all of the Packers pre-season network stations from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets for the program will be $15 per person and will go on sale July 22nd at Ticketstar outlets and the Packers ticket office.
The entire celebration reaches its pinnacle on Sunday, September 7th, when the Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings at Noon for the first home game of the season in the "new" Lambeau Field. "We plan to hold a special ceremony that day," said Packers President Bob Harlan. "We've invited a number of special guests, but are holding off on announcing the details until everything is confirmed."
Harlan summed up the week's worth of activities by saying, "All in all, we believe this grand opening week will provide the local community and all of our fans, wherever they reside, an opportunity to be a part of the great history and tradition of the Packers and Lambeau Field."
Lambeau Field Grand Opening Celebration
Events At-A-Glance
Sunday, August 31: Brown County Appreciation Day at Lambeau Field
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., with a special program at 1:00 p.m.
Free admission. Free rides for children. Self-guided tours of Lambeau Field.
Live music in the Atrium. Reduced prices on food and beverages.
Monday, September 1: Labor of Love - Labor Day Picnic at Lambeau Field
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sponsored by Greater Green Bay Labor Council's AFL-CIO Community Services group and the Green Bay Packers. Food, beverages, entertainment and games / rides for children. Individual tickets are $8.00 for ages 12 and up, $4.00 for children 1-12 and children under 1 are free. A family package deal for $20 includes 2 adult and 4 children tickets. All entry fees include wristbands for beverages and food tickets. For tickets, call (920) 468-7186
Tuesday, September 2: Robert E. Harlan Plaza Dedication, 5:00 p.m.
Main plaza of Lambeau Field (in front of Miller Brewing Gate).
Wednesday, September 3: "The Legend of Lambeau Field," 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Premiere of new DVD, which celebrates the history and legend of Lambeau Field.
Thursday, September 4: Hall of Fame Dedication, 5:00 p.m.
Official dedication and opening of the new Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame located in the Lambeau Field Atrium. Program will feature the unveiling of the new Hall of Fame logo as well as invited guest speakers Ron Wolf, Bart Starr and other celebrity guests.
Friday, September 5: Lambeau Field Inaugural Ball
Presented by Nsight Teleservices, this Friday evening reception, dinner and dance is sold out. Benefit for St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center Endowment. Proceeds to provide charitable health care programming in Northeast Wisconsin.
Saturday, September 6: " Rebirth of a Legend," Live TV program,
Event begins at 6:00 p.m.
Television coverage runs from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Green Bay fans are expected to pack Lambeau Field to view a phenomenal show that will be broadcast statewide by the Packers pre-season network stations. The event will feature live music, Packers alumni legends, special videos, highlights of Lambeau's greatest moments and a tribute to Packers fans.
Sunday, September 7: Lambeau Field Rededication
Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings. Noon. Lambeau Field.
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