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Serenading the Super Bowl Champs
Posted: 05.09.2011 at 3:59 PM
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Escanaba twins to sing the National Anthem before Packers Tailgate Party in Marquette

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MARQUETTE -- It's not often one gets to meet a Super Bowl champion from Green Bay in a lifetime, and it's downright rare for one to be contacted by Titletown.

"The Packers called me and asked if Bay Cliff would like to host the Green Bay Packers for a Tailgate Tour and Party," said Bay Cliff Camp Director Tim Bennett.  "I have to tell you, my first reaction was, who is this really?"

It sure was the Packers, and as a lifelong fan of the Green and Gold, an overjoyed Bennett said yes to the offer.  The next task was to find National Anthem singers.

Bennett knew right away he wanted a pair of former campers and fellow Cheeseheads to serenade old glory.

"He asked us to make sure we were comfortable with doing that," said former Bay Cliff camper, Emily Creten.  "We probably screamed what was it, like 20 minutes?!"

Being Packer fans and extraordinary singers wasn't the only reasons for the selection, although carrying a tune helps.  But for the Cretens, it was a way to give back to an organization that already gave them so much when they first attended camp in Big Bay.  Emily's twin sister, Erika, remembers when she first attended a Bay Cliff camp at a time where she couldn't walk.

"I told my dad by the end of summer, I will walk out to you," said Erika.  "And my dad cried..it's (Bay Cliff).  The place where dreams come true, it really is."

Normally on Packer Tailgate Tours, it's a smaller, exclusive group and tickets are sold at a premium price, but not Tuesday's event.

"We requested that there be a general admission and that everyone in the U.P. would be invited," Bennett says.  "That's the Bay Cliff way."

The Superior Dome is expected to be at capacity Tuesday when the Packers travel 198 miles to the Northern Michigan University campus, but that's nothing compared to how far two singers have come since first stepping foot at Bay Cliff.

The Tailgate begins at 4 p.m. eastern in the Superior Dome.  Packers CEO/President Mark Murphy will be on hand with current and former Packers stars such as Desmond Bishop, Dorsey Levens, Matt Flynn, Gilbert Brown, Josh Sitton, Antonio Freeman, along with Jim Taylor and Forrest Gregg.

Fans will be able to have their picture taken with all four Lombardi Trophies that the franchise has won.  Other activities include Super Bowl door prizes and Packers Trivia.

General admission costs five dollars.  Proceeds benefit Bay Cliff Health Camp.

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