GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Fifty-six years is a long time for any career, but for Lambeau Field vendor Al Hale, it has been an enjoyable journey that still continues.
Hale sold beer in section 117-119 for 52 years even when he had a career as a plumber.
“A guy knew me and said Hey Al, would you like to sell beer. I said, sure okay I will do it.”
For Al, that was a decision that he will never forget.
If you ask Al what he enjoys most about the job.
“It’s the people. You have to be nice to people.”
He said that has led him to a long career and he has countless stories and memories.
“You don’t realize how nice they are and I have always said, that is why you don’t want to throw dirt because you end up losing ground.”
Al no longer walks up and down the steps in his section selling beer. He spends game day at a stationary location and helps serves brats and hotdogs. He says it is still enjoyable, but the interaction with fans is different.
“You get to know the people that you are selling the beer to and they know you. You come to these stands up here and you don’t get to know them. So much I miss going up and down.”
He says at age 82, that is not as easy to do anymore.
Still, fans that visit Al at his stand are always greated with a smile, and if you are willing to get to know Al, he will get to know you and will remember you.
“In that time I have been here, any dad who was fifty then, well he would be 106 now, so I have grown older,” he said laughing.
Just how much longer can Al go?
“I said you think when I’m 100 you’ll still have me?” asked Hale. “I don’t know, it’s one of those things. As long as I have the t.v. cameras coming back, I’ll be back.”
He says there is one thing that he wants to make sure happens.
In 2009, Packers fans voted for Hale to be inducted in the Green Bay Packers Fan Hall of Fame.
“I want to be remembered when I am long gone,” Al said waving.
