Posted on Aug 15, 2024 10:00:00 AM by Greater Green Bay Chamber
As part of a historic partnership dating back to 1964, the Greater Green Bay Chamber and the Green Bay Packers host a celebratory kickoff to the football season at the Welcome Back Packers Luncheon. The opportunity to enjoy lunch with a Packers player, coach, or staff member has drawn thousands of fans for decades - each of them eager to find out who will be seated at their table. Bonnie Elliott purchased tickets for the first time in 2023.
Born and raised in Alaska, Bonnie has lived in Georgetown, Texas for more than 20 years. She is quick to mention that it is the hometown of long-time Packers kicker, Mason Crosby. Her love for the green and gold started in the Brett Favre era, and although she has never called Wisconsin home, she makes it a point to visit Green Bay at least once every season to watch a game at Lambeau Field.
Bonnie attended the 2023 Welcome Back Packer Luncheon with her mother, Dorothy Barnhart. The duo did not know anyone else at the event, but they thought it was a great addition to the trip they planned around the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks which took place the following day.
"We just had the best time," said Bonnie. "It was awesome. We had a player and a coach seated at our table!"
Also seated at Bonnie's table were two women, Mary Beth and Debbie - friends of 39 years. Their conversation with Bonnie and Dorothy sparked a fast friendship. The four women stayed in touch, and as fate would have it, they all had tickets to the same regular season game in November where they were able to reconnect.
Bonnie has her tickets for this year's Welcome Back Packers Luncheon and is ready to attend with her hair professionally dyed green and gold and her heart bursting with excitement for the football season ahead. While she does not know who from the Packers will be at her table, she is looking forward to seeing two familiar faces. She will once again sit with the two women who were strangers just one year ago - this time on purpose. They purchased their tickets together to the event where their friendship started.
Over the years, Bonnie has crossed a lot off her bucket list, attending games and meeting many Packers alumni including Brett Favre. She still hopes to meet Coach LaFleur and watch the Packers win a Super Bowl in-person one day, but until then, she plans to continue making memories cheering on what she says is the best team in the league - maybe even picking up more friends along the way.
Learn more about the Welcome Back Packers Luncheon.
Photos of Bonnie:
