MILWAUKEE— The Green Bay Packers are on the minds of many fans across the state of Wisconsin and the world as they kick off their season Friday.
It’s the first time in history an NFL game is being hosted in South America. It just so happens to be the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles taking center stage on Friday night.
In Milwaukee, a local Brazilian cafe has been hard at work preparing Brazilian treats for customers to enjoy while watching the game.
Sweet Joy Brazilian Cafe is located on Brady street in Milwaukee. Owner, Marcia Joy is from São Paulo and has lived in Milwaukee for the past 15 years.
Joy said to see an NFL game in her hometown, with her now-hometeam, is very exciting.
“It’s a dream,” she said. “It’s a dream. All together, especially my city. My home city, São Paulo. It’s beautiful.”
She opened up her cafe in hopes of sharing her culture with others. She said they have been busy making to-go boxes with Brazilian treats and finger foods. Joy said small treats like this is how they celebrate in the Brazilian culture.
“Since yesterday we have had a lot of orders, especially with our to-go boxes that we make special for this event,” Joy said. “To show how Brazilians party, with finger food.”
Meanwhile, in Brazil, Packers fans are getting a glimpse at what those celebrations feel like at local bars in town.
O’Malley’s Irish Bar in Brazil has been hosting fans for the past few days and says it’s been a packed house with fans from all different NFL teams.
“There are quite a few packers fan’s with the cheese heads stuck on their heads,” O’Malley’s Irish Bar owner, Ali Visserman said. “There are some Eagles fans as well and they have been drinking together, happily for the last two or three days”
On Friday, Visserman said they had fans lining up outside and knocking on their doors early in the morning. He said once they open Friday night, they expect around 400 people to be there to watch the game.
“It’s nice, it’s a good experience,” Visserman said. “We enjoy it. It fills the place up, it sells good beer. It’s all good fun,”
Fans from all across the world are showing their excitement for what could be a very special year for the green and gold.