Tailgating
in Titletown...
The
most amazing thing about Green Bay is the way the whole
town gets into the team spirit.
And
we're not just talking about the people.
The
streets of the neighborhoods surrounding the stadium are
decked out in the green and gold, from the banners flying
on front porches to the very leaves on the trees. This is
a town that lives and breathes the Packers.
And
all other life seems to come to a stop on Game Day. Signs
are posted on the local streets that read "No Parking
on Game Day", neighbors sell space on their front lawns
for $10 (or $25 if you want to use the bathroom) and business-as-usual
gives way to Packer mania as fans flood the surrounding
streets.
Even
the gas station across from Lambeau Field stops selling
gas to start selling parking.
Though
the first snow flurries of the year may have made for a
cold-weather start, the fans eventually warmed up their
engines for a full-blown tailgate in Titletown.
Adding
to the excitement and energy of the day were the most die-hard
"away" fans we've met. The Steelers were out in
force, flaunting their gold and black like they already
knew the outcome of the game.
The
skies cleared, the air warmed, and the festive atmosphere
grew as the Packer's own traveling band made their rounds
of the tailgating lots. They were kind enough to provide
us with music for our event, which really set the mood for
our most unique Taste-off yet.
Judges
Lynn, Jane, and Summer had to pack in a wide variety of
food, which included Polish Pierogi, Meatball Sandwiches,
Italian Wedding Soup, Horseradish Olives and Pickles, Spicy
Hot Wings, and BBQ Raccoon.
It
was a tough call, but once the surprise wore off (Jay let
them believe they were eating pulled pork) all three had
to admit that Steve Muck made the best raccoon they'd ever
tasted. (Okay, so it was the only raccoon they'd ever tasted,
but still, it was really good!)
The
crowd was thrilled (Steve brought with him a healthy cheering
section) even though second and third place went to Steeler's
fans (maybe that should have been an omen?)
But
Team Blacktop kept everyone happy, giving away a dutch oven,
turkey roaster, pie irons and kitchen tool sets to the crowd
of tailgaters gathered around the Tailgating Tour Coach.
In
the end, Green Bay lived up to its reputation for being
a town completely wrapped up in their team.
On
our way out of town later that afternoon, we stopped into
a store to look for local souvenirs (as we do every week).
After passing over aisles of foam cheesehead hats and Brett
Favre bobbleheads, we asked a salesclerk if they had anything
"Green Bay".
She
responded, "yeah, the Packers' stuff is over there."
"No,"
we explained. "Just something local, something Green
Bay."
She
looked at us like we had cheese for brains.
"Okay,"
we said. "Thanks anyway."
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