Milwaukee Brewers fans talk about what makes Opening Day so special, including a couple who met on Opening Day and became engaged on Opening Day. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The first pickup truck (at least in the Molitor Lot) arrived in line at 7:06 a.m. Two hours later, the floodgates were opened and tailgaters began streaming in for the 18th home opener in Miller Park history.
Here were six interesting things found in the parking lots:
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Not Bernie's Slide, exactly
Nick Wright said he found this kid's slide on the side of Interstate 43 on Easter Sunday near Mukwonago, and when he drove back later in the day, it was still there. So, he rescued it and brought it to the tailgate, a poor man's Bernie's Slide so to speak. Nobody had yet gone down the slide as of 10 a.m.
The guy in the bunny suit
Easter Sunday was just yesterday, after all, so it stands to reason at least one person would be dressed as a bunny. That distinction belonged to Neal Steffek, owner of The Drunk Uncle bar on National Avenue in West Allis, tailgating among a contingent of party buses. He said the bunny suit helped keep him warm. That and the beer.
Keeping score
The lots are basically a cornucopia of "bags" sets, some with a pretty artistic sensibility. This scorekeeper makes it easier for those who are forgetful ... or enjoying beverages ... and was produced by Flurys Bags based out of Mukwonago.
Custom tailgating experience
Nick Jerman, an executive chef from Elkhorn who also operates Beer City Tailgaters, fashioned this full bar for the tailgating experience, and it's making a "ninth or 10th" opening day excursion. Behind it: a massive custom-made grill from Kentucky that can cook items three different ways at the same time.
Saddled up
Police horses Beth (foreground) and Tanner keep a watchful eye on the lots. Security personnel riding on bicycles were pretty much everywhere around the parking lots.
Flush with cash
This apparently wasn't the only pop-up portable toilet in the lots, and those who didn't want to wait out the long lines could pay $3 for unlimited use. Entrepreneurial spirit comes in all forms.
Photos: Opening day at Miller Park brings out Brewers faithful