Thursday, February 6, 2025
GREEN BAY – One of the most iconic and storied traditions around the Green Bay area has been the ever-changing fences that dawn the yards of houses across from Lambeau Field.
The infamous Lombardi Avenue fence murals have long been one of the many features that fans associate with the uniqueness of Lambeau Field’s location in the middle of a quaint midwestern neighborhood — yet the story is much bigger.
Handyman Christopher Handler has dedicated more than two decades of his life to keeping the fence painting tradition and passion for the Packers alive.
“Back in 2003, I picked up a Green Bay Press Gazette, and I saw an article that said that they sold that home — the gentleman and his wife that owned it had moved. I had always seen it and it was in the paper often. I thought, ‘Cool. I hope that will be mine one day.’ They sold it to an older gentleman from New Jersey that was an avid Packers fan and a very smart gentleman,” Handler.
“A few weeks later I saw an ad in the paper that said, ‘If you want to donate paint or pick up a paint brush, contact Patty, the real estate agent.’ I doodled it down on my hand, I called her up and I drove down to her office.
“One other girl from Oshkosh saw the same article. We met at the fence and I basically sold myself really well to the owner and the real estate agent and we just took it over. No charge or anything — we just kept the tradition going,” said Handler.
Not only has the fence been painted annually to commemorate that year’s Packers team, but there has been a tradition of a new slogan each year as well.
Handler said that his first-ever slogan, back in 2003, was a tribute to running back Ahman Green that stated, “Other teams are Green with envy.”
Twenty-one slogans later, Handler said he is proud to still be an important part of the Packers legacy.
“I had a blast. Three to four years into it, there was a gentleman who called me up. He was a photographer for the Packers. He said, ‘Chris, we’re doing a book for the fans. Can I come over and film you at the fence?’ and I agreed. Later, they invited me to the stadium to kick off that book, Green, Gold and Proud,” said Handler of one of his favorite experiences from his early years as the Fence Painter.
According to Handler, although his experience as the Fence Painter has lasted for 21 years, his love for the Green Bay Packers began long before that.
“Back when I was a little kid, I used to hop the fence to get into the games for free. I’ve always told people, ‘If you want to become something in your life — go for it. Give it all you’ve got.’ That’s what I did. I used to climb the snowbanks and hop the fence and run my butt off to go and watch the third and fourth quarter from inside,” said Handler.
While Handler said he enjoys his role as an iconic member of the community, the task is by no means a simple one, and he has learned over the years about ways to improve his process.
“The first three to four years when I started, the real estate agent’s husband helped me do it. We took two inch tape to make the letters. Every year I did that I realized how time consuming it was. I said heck with it and got some stencils. When my daughter was in fifth grade, her art teacher helped me make stencils for the size I needed for the fence, and that’s what I use now. From the start to now, we have learned a lot and are more artistic. We don’t charge, we just keep the tradition going,” said Handler.
In addition, there are a lot of details Handler says must be taken into account before picking up his brush.
“There’s a process of what you have to do. You have to wait for the 53-man roster to come out to know who is going to be on the team. Then you see what would look good on the fence. Love is our quarterback so he’s going to be our No. 1 choice to make the slogan look better. You pick a team member.
Sometimes I’ll do a contest and I’ll write to the local newspapers and say that I’m looking for my new slogan. Give me 24-28 letters. Some of the ones I get mailed to me I just cannot put on the fence — I just get a kick out of what people send me,” said Handler of how he has selected each year’s slogan.
“This is my 23rd year, and it’s just been a blast. I usually do it the day before the home opening game.What’s really fun is when you’re doing it on that Saturday before the season, and suddenly you’re gasping for air. Sometimes you’re in the middle of drawing up a player and they stop by to look at it and I’ll say to my partner who is helping me, ‘Look who’s here!’”
Handler has honored dozens of players on the fence over the years, but according to him, there was one year in particular that holds a special place in his heart.
“My favorite slogan is from when Brett Favre retired. I just felt that when he retired it was all community related. Everybody loved the guy. It was just amazing how many people were watching us do it that day from across the street on Lombardi,” said Handler.
The 2010 fence commemorating Favre’s retirement featured his picture, the trophy and a special plaque.
“It just turned out beautiful,” said Handler.
As time has passed, Handler said that he now only paints the middle of the four standing fences.
“All the other fences that you see now — the other three — are all done by somebody else now. I did those also, but over my 21 years, the people that owned those homes would change their minds and move on with someone else. It’s nice to have a contract. The second time around I had a five-year contract, though, that owner decided to sell his house two and a half years into it,” said Handler.
Aside from the physical and creative struggles of painting the fence, Handler said he has encountered countless other obstacles along the way.
“One year I had to call the Packers marketing people because I painted helmets on the fence and I put the ‘G’ on it. I had to get clearance to use it and found out that as long as I’m not selling it for profit I can use it,” said Handler.
Being creative and finding new ways to keep the community engaged in the fence each year has also posed some creative challenges over the years.
“On the letters we use stencils, but the other stuff that’s on there like the players, we just doll it up. My buddy and I buy all the materials, cut them out, and paint them. We don’t really know what they are going to look like until we put them all together. Sometimes I’ll say, ‘Hey, Matt, how about some glitter to make it pop?’
“We’ll make things look 3D by putting a 2x4 behind it to make it pop out. This year I had some miniature helmets that I had bought over the years. I used them to make the schedule for this year so I put them on there from the Colts to the Bears and had these nine miniature helmets on the fence to make it more attractive for the fans,” said Handler.
Handler said he has exciting plans in the works for the upcoming event of the century for the community — the 2025 NFL Draft.
“For the Draft, the current slogan will be erased and taken down. I don’t know what the slogan will be but I know there’s going to be a new one there. It’s a great opportunity. Green Bay, Wisconsin. The 2025 NFL Draft. How cool is that? I cannot wait,” said Handler.
“I’ll be in my outfit talking to people from all over the world and won’t get sleep for three days. It’s a once in a lifetime experience.”
According to Handler, becoming the Lombardi Avenue Fence Painter has been one of the greatest experiences of his life.
“The love and the passion for what I do is in my blood and I just have to do it. I’ll be walking around and having fun and getting pictures, and I always say I’m going to be doing this from my wheelchair one day. I’m going to be painting this fence when I’m 95 years old,” said Handler.
“When I got this job, I made it bigger and better and more creative. Each year I always try to come up with something different for the fans. You wouldn’t believe what the fans say when I’m walking around. It’s amazing.”
Despite being a die-hard Packers fan, Handler said that he would never pass up the opportunity to expand his work across state lines.
“I’d like to one day become the NFL Fence Painter for all 32 teams,” said Handler.
However, for now, Handler said he is just proud to be a part of such a loving and passionate community and fanbase.
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