Preparing for Packers first home game

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The Packers play their first home game Sunday, but the celebrations around town begin well before kickoff.

Every year for the Packers first home game, you can bet you'll find Michelle Arbogast camped out near Lambeau Field with friends and family.

“We love the Packers. We haven't missed it in 21 years and we wouldn't miss it. We love it,” said Arbogast.

The group gathers in the parking lot across from the stadium well before the game starts.

“Always the same spot. We usually get here Friday morning anywhere between six and nine and we just set up,” said Arbogast.

“What a good time it is, and I haven't even seen the game yet! Just the atmosphere,” said Brad Jones, from Toledo.

These fans say the home opener is unlike anything else. And for many of the campers, Green Bay is far from home.

“It's just really amazing, you get to see so many people from Iowa, Indiana from Canada, England,” said Arbogast who hails from Ohio.

Out of towners also mean a boost in business for others, and not just hotels.

“They come from all over, so it's really fun to get to know everyone,” said Sideline Sports Bar and Grill employee Jenny Limberg

Limberg said starting the night before game day and well into kickoff, there won't be an empty seat in the house, many who will fill those seats won't be from Wisconsin. And she's ready for them.

“We have a lot of food preparation going on in the kitchen, and then stocking everything up here, bringing in tons of beer,” said Limberg.

Even non-bar businesses like the Stadium Bakery reap the benefits of the out of visitors.

“It is so crazy. We open at five and believe it or not even on a Saturday morning people are in that early and it just stays super busy,” said assistant manager Melanie Hooyman.

Donuts, danishes and pastries fly off the shelves to hungry fans. And there's only thing that could make the home game sweeter. A green and gold win.