GREEN BAY, Wis. — A Green Bay Packers home game on Thanksgiving isn’t a common occurrence.
For Anthony and Devin Downs of Colorado Springs, Colo., it’s a destination trip that started earlier this week.
“I’m a Dolphins fan, and I go every year to a Miami game. My son is a Packers fan and he goes every year with us,” Anthony Downs said. “Last year, I finally told him for being such a great kid, I’ll take him to Lambeau.
It just happened the Dolphins were in town this season, and it’s Thanksgiving.
“We’re going to be tailgating with everybody and having Thanksgiving with the people of Green Bay and Wisconsin,” Downs said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
This is only the second time the Packers have played a home game on Thanksgiving in the past 100 years. The last time was in 2015.
It also comes four days after the Packers won at home against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Just blocks away from Lambeau, Assistant Manager Kelsey Stevens at Stadium View Sports Bar, Grill & Banquet Hall is preparing for a big turnout Thursday evening.
“It’s kind of nice in a way too that we’re already set up for the first game,” she said. “Everything else, the extra liquor we pulled, the extra food we’re preparing, we’ve just got to stay on the same par, so we’re ready to go for the next game.”
Hunter Tonn made the trip from Montana to Green Bay with family for Thursday’s game.
“I feel like the fans are going to be so excited. It’s not just Thanksgiving, but a Thanksgiving night game against a warm-weather team. I think it’s going to be awesome,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a whole different vibe than a normal Packers game.”
Tonn isn’t sure what the actual family Thanksgiving Day meal plans are. That tradition will likely be back to normal next year.
“We can celebrate Thanksgiving every year, but Thanksgiving at Lambeau Field, that’s twice in 100 years,” Tonn said.
The Downs each would like to see a win from their own favorite team, but it’s about more than the score and playoff implications.
“I just want to have my son have a great time and experience the whole Lambeau experience, the whole Packers experience,” Downs said. “Selfishly, I want a Dolphin victory.”