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NFL Draft Week Resources (posted April 23, 2025)_(1).png)
By Adam Behnke, Brown County Public Health Communications Specialist
After more than a year of preparation, we are finally on the cusp of the long-awaited NFL Draft in the Green Bay area. Excitement fills the air as visitors from the world over descend on Northeast Wisconsin for the three-day event, which begins Thursday, April 24. It’s a massive undertaking, spearheaded by the National Football League and the Green Bay Packers, but dozens of other governmental agencies and organizations are involved in making those three days a success for the estimated 240,000 people who will attend. For those visitors and residents alike, today’s edition of the Healthy Herald is a collection of resources they may find useful over the next several days.
Short-Term Rentals
Members of Brown County Public Health have been hard at work for months to inspect and license the short-term rentals that will house some of the visitors here in our community for the NFL Draft. Brown County Public Health saw a marked increase in interest as the draft drew closer on the calendar. It now manages a total of 968 Tourist Rooming Houses.
You can find more information about the Tourist Rooming House process, and how it aims to keep people safe and healthy, by clicking here.
Food Vendor Licensing
All NFL/Packer food vending inside of the event footprint has already been licensed or confirmed as having a license.
Brown County Public Health has worked with coordinators for the events taking place outside of the footprint and have those vendors all licensed as well.
With the goal of maintaining a safe and successful event for food vendors and attendees alike, Brown County Public Health inspectors will be on site at Draft-related events to verify licenses and confirm that food code is being followed.
Read more about retail food requirements here.
Pedestrian Safety
Hundreds of thousands of people out and about in our community means the amount of traffic, both on the roads and on foot, is rising significantly. Brown County Public Health urges you to stay alert when you're behind the wheel or out as a pedestrian trying to cross the road. This is not a good time to multi-task and read your phone.
You can learn about ways to reduce distracted driving and the dozens of high-visibility pedestrian crossings recently installed by the City of Green Bay by clicking here.
Sharps Disposal
Brown County Public Health has enhanced its sharps disposal program during the NFL Draft. Six free-standing containers are installed in locations across the Village of Ashwaubenon, providing a secure, responsible way to dispose of used needles, syringes, and other sharps. Proper sharps disposal supports broader harm reduction strategies and helps keep public spaces clean and safe for all. The containers are available for anyone who needs them, including community members, visitors, and people managing chronic conditions like diabetes.
The sharps containers are in six high-traffic areas near NFL Draft activities within the Village of Ashwaubenon:
- Stadium View Bar, Restaurant, & Event Halls (1963 Holmgren Way)
- Badger State Brewing Company (990 Tony Canadeo Run)
- Bellin Health Titletown Sports Medicine and Orthopedics (1970 S. Ridge Road)
- Argonne Park (2020 Argonne Street)
- Canterbury Park (1154 Canterbury Road)
- Skyline Park (951 Park Ridge Drive)
Click here to learn more about the Brown County Sharps Disposal Program and its 30+ disposal sites available year-round.
Food Poisoning: Report an Illness Caused by Food or Water
If you think food or water has recently made you sick, you can report it to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Sometimes food that you ate, water that you drank, or water from pools, lakes, or rivers can have germs that make you sick. These illnesses are sometimes called food poisoning and can be mild or severe, depending on the type of germ you swallowed. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever. Let the DHS know if you think food or water has recently made you sick by filling out a form that asks questions about:
- Your symptoms
- Places you have recently visited
- Food you have eaten in the last few days
This tool is not a substitute for health care, and people who are feeling sick should contact their health care provider.
Breastfeeding Support
Brown County Public Health can help you navigate your infant feeding journey with the Milk Map, a go-to resource for locating local lactation support professionals, support groups, and breastfeeding friendly businesses, organizations, and childcare centers in Brown County.
Click here to access the Milk Map!
Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Resources
920212Safe is a local resource available for anyone to access free, immediate help for domestic violence. Anyone who calls the ‘Be Safe’ number (920-212-7233) will be rerouted directly to the domestic violence shelter Golden House and can access all of its services. Click here to learn more about the 'Be Safe' page.
Awaken Wisconsin is a faith-based non-profit organization whose mission is to increase awareness and education surrounding the issue of commercial sexual exploitation and to provide housing and restoration for its victims. Since expanding into Green Bay, Awaken has impacted dozens of women and girls in the community, serving as a center for outreach, life skills groups, jail outreach and other services.
Brown County recently awarded Awaken Wisconsin $20,000 to be used for trafficking prevention and emergency services. Read more about their work here.
Final Reminder
If you are planning to attend any of the Draft festivities this week, Brown County Public Health reminds you to download the NFL OnePass app, because that’s the only way to register and get into the event footprint around Lambeau Field. If, in an unfortunate turn, you start feeling sick, please consider staying home and not mingling with the crowds to prevent spreading what you have to others. We hope everyone attending has a safe and wonderful time. Oh, and GO PACK GO!
Stay Healthy, Brown County!