The Green Bay Packers Sunday announced more details regarding the team's practice at City Stadium July 31.
The Tuesday evening practice session will be the first Packers practice in nearly 50 years at the team's former home field (1925-56). The team last practiced at the site Aug. 5, 1961, when it held an intra-squad game at the location.
In anticipation of a high turnout for the practice and to enhance the safety for those attending, Baird Street will be closed from Walnut Street to Main Street, beginning at 4 p.m. Practice will end at approximately 9 p.m. and Baird Street should be open to traffic within an hour of the practice's conclusion.
Gates to City Stadium will open at 5 p.m. The only point of entry will be the stadium's main gates on the west end of the field, off Baird Street. The practice will be free to the public, but in the "pass-the-hat" spirit of games in the 1920s and 30s at City Stadium, donations will be accepted to support the new Green Bay Children's Museum, with members of the Green Bay East football team collecting money during the practice. The facility is under construction at River Center in the old Younkers building and is expected to be finished in the fall of 2008.
A number of vendors will be set up in the parking lot in front of the main gates to the stadium. Complimentary pennants celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Lambeau Field will be distributed to the first 2,000 people to enter the stadium. Concessions stands operated by booster clubs from Green Bay East High school will be available inside the stadium. No alcohol will be served. Carry-ins are prohibited, and smoking is not permitted on the grounds.
The Green Bay East High School Pep Band will begin the evening's entertainment at 5:45 p.m. At 5:50 p.m., the East High School cheer team will perform, followed by the school's dance team. At approximately 6:10 p.m., the pep band will perform the national anthem, to be followed by some welcoming comments from organizing officials.
Practice will begin at 6:30 p.m. Bill Jartz, the public address announcer from Lambeau Field, will be on had to handle PA duties and describe practice details to fans in attendance.
In addition to the 2,300 permanent seats available at the stadium, Always Available Seating of Greenleaf, Wis., has donated the use of approximately 1,500 additional bleacher seats. Standing room only areas will be available at specific areas adjacent to the field, as well.
Parking will be at a premium for the evening and, in addition to the parking lot adjacent to East High School, attending fans are advised to use parking lots at the following nearby locations: Washington Middle School (314 S. Baird St.), Nicolet School (1309 Elm St.), Sts. Peter and Paul Church (710 North Baird St.), Sullivan School (1567 Deckner Ave.) and the Riverside Ballroom (1516 Main St.), with City Stadium reachable from the latter two locations by a pedestrian bridge over the East River.
The City of Green Bay has advised that other parking is available on nearby city streets and public parking lots as permitted by ordinance and sign.
It also should be noted that access to Joannes Stadium and Joannes Family Aquatic Center will be available during the practice.
