Local residents will have the opportunity to meet two of the Green Bay Packers  and the CEO and president of the Pakers to celebrate the start of the season with the Packer Tailgate Tour hosted by Wisconsin Badger Camp from 6-8:30 p.m. on May 13. Visitors to the event will be able to meet CEO and president of the Packers Mark Murphy, safety Nick Collins and wide receiver Jordy Nelson. The tailgate will be taking place at 6911 Moundview Road in Platteville.

“This will be the first time that the Packers have come to a tour stop that is held in a barn,” Betsy Ralph, development and communications director of the Wisconsin Badger Camp, said.

Curt Timlen, the owner of the property where the event is taking place, has been refurbishing a barn to hold such events.

“The first event that we held last year was in the end of May for the Badger Camp and was called the Barn Yard Bash,” Timlen said. “We had some small local bands come and play for us and it was a blast.”

The barn has been stripped down and redone to hold any kind of event. The hay mow is the main level. There are several tables and chairs as well as a hand crafted bar. There are two stages for bands on the complex, one is inside the hay mow area the other is outside on the deck. The Platteville High School football team will be setting up a football obstacle course as well as other challenges for all participants to take part in.

Visitors who purchase a ticket for the Packers Tailgate Tour  will receive an official tailgate meal, as well as be able to meet the Packers and get autographs. A question and answer session and local music will be offered as well.

There are limited number of tickets available for this event. Each ticket is $25 and can be purchased at Culvers’s in Platteville and at other Culvers locations around the area, and at Walkers Clothing and Shoes store in Lancaster.

Brent Bowers of Wisconsin Badger Camp said that the event proceeds will go to improving the camp.