UW Marching Band, Jordy Nelson, bike parade, national anthem singer announced for NFL draft festivities at Lambeau

(This story was updated with additional information.)

GREEN BAY - The NFL has announced a round of entertainment and other activities planned for the draft in Green Bay, but specifics are still to come on some on concert performers and other participants.

Here's how the draft, which will be hosted April 24-26 by Lambeau Field and the Titletown district, is shaping up.

Day 1: Thursday, April 24

Red carpet:

• The evening begins with prospects walking the red carpet on Lambeau Field at about 4 p.m., as fans watch from the stadium bleachers.
• Portions will be televised as part of NFL Network’s “NFL Draft Kickoff” with Kimmi Chex interviewing prospects. 

Opening festivities from the draft stage:

• A Wisconsin-based youth choir will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Redding. 
• Singer-songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr., from rural southern Indiana, will perform the national anthem.
• The Wisconsin Army National Guard will conduct a flyover of Lambeau Field and the Draft Theater with four Black Hawk helicopters.
• Packers legends and current players will join NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to welcome fans. 

Day 2: Friday, April 25

Thirty-two NFL legends and players from the 2000 draft class will announce selections to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the class. The evening will also spotlight legends and players with ties to Wisconsin. Participants include Lynn Swann, Jordy Nelson, Joe Thomas, Jonathan Taylor and Dante Hall.

After the third round of selections, the evening will end with a drone show as part of the NFL Draft Concert Series. 

Day 3: Saturday, April 26

The final day of the draft will offer a family-friendly day of activities to celebrate Wisconsin’s culture and community. 

• Bike parade: Young fans can participate in the Green Bay tradition by riding their bikes around the NFL Draft Experience before gates open.
• NFL Farmer’s Market: A celebration of local vendors, where fans can enjoy a taste of Wisconsin.
• Wisconsin Humane Society onstage puppy adoptions
• Military enlistment ceremony: A tribute to those who serve.
• Oneida Smoke Dancers
• University of Wisconsin Marching Band
• Polka band and dance group
• Cheese-carving demonstration: Artists transform cheese into intricate works of art.
• Packers legends: They’ll share stories and memories of their time in Green Bay.
• Surprise celebrity guests: Appearances by “beloved local personalities and celebrities.”

NFL Draft Concert Series: The finale to the draft will be a free concert in the Draft Theater. Country singer Brad Paisley will be the headliner. It will be free, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis. 

NFL Draft Experience and other events happening all three days

Team roll calls, T-shirt tosses, live fan cams and trivia will be part of the draft each day. Fans will also have the chance to win autographed footballs and helmets, participate in onstage contests and enter to win Super Bowl LX tickets.

The NFL Draft Experience will be open daily. At the interactive festival, fans can try high jump challenges and the 40-yard dash, view NFL Hall of Fame exhibits, meet NFL players and get photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy and all 58 Super Bowl rings. The Play 60 Zone and Titletown will host NFL FLAG drills, skills challenges and football clinics for younger fans.

Also inside the NFL Draft Experience, the Packers Everywhere Draft Haus will pay tribute to Wisconsin's dive bar culture with pull tabs, shake of the day and a DJ. Food trucks and vendors will offer a taste of Wisconsin.

Here's the NFL's map of the draft area, which you can download below:

How to register to attend the draft

The NFL draft is free to attend. Adults age 18 and up need to download the NFL OnePass app to register. On OnePass, each adult can register up to five children to attend the draft with them.

For those without a smartphone, you can sign up on a desktop computer, too. The NFL directs you to send an email to OnePass@nfl.com or to visit nfl.com/draftaccess.

What are the hours of the draft?

April 24

• NFL Draft Experience: noon-10 p.m.
• Draft Theater: 5-11 pm.

April 25

• NFL Draft Experience: noon-10 p.m.
• Draft Theater: 5-11 p.m.

April 26

• NFL Draft Experience: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Draft Theater: noon-7 p.m.

Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and feature writer at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 or kmeinert@greenbay.gannett.com. Follow her on X @KendraMeinert.