The Cradle Of Tailgating

LAMBEAU FIELD’S HISTORIC PARTY IN THE PARKING LOT

- Lazelle Jones

Talk to those who enjoy the tradition of tailgating—game after game, year in and year out—at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and you’re instantly swimming in legend, history, and folklore. And should you be as fortunate as we were to visit Green Bay and stroll through the Lambeau Field parking lot before a preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles, don’t be surprised if you find a beverage (often from one of the local craft breweries) being thrust into your hand.

At the Green Bay Packers’ training camp, we found ourselves embraced by friendly folks who we had never met before and probably will never see again. We discovered in the southeast corner of Lambeau Field’s parking lot (on the Oneida Entrance side of the stadium) tailgating fans who’ve been coming for generations to renew the good times, relive historic wins, and mourn old losses. Today, across America, tailgating is enjoyed at all kinds of sporting venues and is a recognized pillar of fun.