Steeler Nation, Packer Backers gather for Super Bowl XLV

DESIGNATED BARSThe Super Bowl will be the only game in town at any sports bar Sunday, but here are a few recommended by local fans and fan websites as places where Packer Backers and the Steeler Nation often mix and mingle.* Bart's Lakeshore, 5840 Lake Resort Terrace, 870-0770.* Bud's Sports Bar, 5751 Brainerd Road, 499-9878.* Buffalo Wild Wings, 120 Market St., 634-0468.* Buffalo Wild Wings, 5744 Highway 153, Hixson, 877-3338.* Bundy's Billiards & Bar, 6002 Lee Highway, 893-9408.* Fox and Hound, 2040 Hamilton Place Blvd., 490-1200.Sources: www.steeleraddicts.com, www.steelers-fan.com, www.packer-bars.com, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel online

In some ways, getting to Arlington, Texas, was easier. At least the way was mapped.

Not so for local followers of the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, who will gather in Chattanooga bars - roughly 800 and 600 miles, respectively, from home base - to celebrate their beloved teams' Super Bowl XLV appearance Sunday in Cowboys Stadium.

TVs in every bar in town will be tuned to Fox's game coverage, but for the Chattanooga Packer Backers, Bart's Lakeshore is party central, said president Dan Peterson, who expects at least 100 green-and-gold boosters.

"I'd say about 85 percent of us came from Wisconsin," said Peterson, who's originally from La Crosse. "Somehow we all found the same place to watch the game."

Peterson maintains an e-mail list of about 100 Packer Backers. Typically, 20 to 40 show up for regular-season games, he said. Playoffs draw closer to 70. A Super Bowl appearance should get the full Pack attack of fans looking to party arena style.

"We treat it like it's a real live game and we're in the stands," he said. "I expect to be hoarse by the third quarter."

Meanwhile, much of the local populace of the Steeler Nation will gather at Buffalo Wild Wings in Hixson.

General manager Davina Howard said her husband, Jesse, has helped build the local black-and-gold fan base over the years. "He's always been a diehard Steelers fan."

This will be the restaurant's first Super Bowl in the new location on Highway 153, and pregame festivities will start early in the Oak Park Town Center parking lot.

"They already have plans to tailgate in the back," Howard said. "They'll get food from inside or bring some snacks. ... Then they'll come inside and cheer for their team. They'll run around the bar giving high-fives and singing 'Here we go, Steelers.' It's a fun atmosphere."

Howard said the Internet and social networking have even made the Hixson BWW a home away from home for traveling fans.

"At Thanksgiving and Christmas, we were packed with people from Pittsburgh who were in town visiting their families for the holidays," she said.

Peterson and Howard agree that whatever the outcome, the camaraderie among fans will make the game fun.

"This is my fantasy Super Bowl," Peterson said. "These two clubs have the best fan bases."

SUPER BOWL XLV AT A GLANCE

* Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers.

* Series record: Packers lead 18-14.

* Last meeting: Steelers beat Packers 37-36, Dec. 20, 2009.

* Game time: 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

* Arena: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas.

* Network: Fox.

* Pregame entertainment: "America the Beautiful" by Lea Michele.

* National anthem: Christina Aguilera.

* Halftime entertainment: Black Eyed Peas.

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