While the team's draft room will be brimming with the Packers' top team officials, scouts and coaches, the preferred location as the action unfolds during the NFL draft will be Curly's Pub in the Lambeau Field Atrium.
The Green Bay Packers' official 2011 NFL Draft Party kicks off at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, and is free to the public. The same decision-makers upstairs will make their way down to Curly's: Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy, General Manager Ted Thompson and Head Coach Mike McCarthy.
Also hanging out with fans throughout the night will be a pair of former Green Bay standouts: tight end Paul Coffman (1978-85) and kicker Chris Jacke (1987-96). Each of Curly's 138 TVs will be broadcasting the event; autographed Packers items and other door prizes will be given away and there will be enough food and drink specials to keep everyone full in the pub and dining room.
"Curly's is the perfect atmosphere for our official NFL draft party," said Kate Hogan, Packers director of retail operations and coordinator of the party. "It's right in Lambeau Field and the president, general manager and head coach come down to talk to the crowd. The excitement level is always high, there are alumni to visit with, some terrific giveaways and the environment can't be beat for Packers' fans."
On hand to provide coverage and analysis will be the club's broadcast partners, WFRV-TV and Newsradio 620 WTMJ. Packers play-by-play voice Wayne Larrivee and analyst Larry McCarren will be giving their perspective, as well as interviews with team staff.
Located on the east side of Lambeau Field near the Packers Pro Shop, Curly's will also have door prizes for rounds two and three proceedings. This year's NFL draft is a three-day format, with round one beginning at 7 p.m. CDT, rounds two and three starting at 5 p.m. on Friday evening (April 29) and rounds 4-7 beginning at 9 a.m. the next day.
There will be other contests, including the fan correctly picking the first-round choice taking home an autographed ball signed by the No. 1 pick from a drawing of qualified entries. There will also be an online "Draft-Day Challenge," in which participants choose the top five players in addition to the Packers' No. 1 pick, with the prize package worth $500.
Curly's Pub has Wi-Fi Internet access allowing party-goers who bring their laptops to also follow their favorite websites.
