The stream of fans started out more like a trickle.

"Walk-up sales are a little slower and the advance tickets are a little slower, but hopefully with the nice day like it is, it will pick up,” says Loren Travis, an Eau Claire fire fighter working the ticket booth on Sunday.

But it did pick up, as hundreds showed up at Carson Park to see the Eau Claire fire fighters union charity softball game versus the Green Bay Packers for the second year in a row.

"We got a good walk up crowd,” says Lance Hanson. “People are coming in."

The firefighters say they're glad they could pack the stands this afternoon, though they say when the green and gold come to town, people always come out.

“Oh I said honey we gotta go!,” says Packer fan Annette Chartrand, who took her husband and grandson to the game. “Go see what the firemen can do. The firemen looked good at batting practice but the Packers are athletes so it's a hard one."

The Packers say they're up for a friendly challenge on the diamond. Though they're the celebrity guests, they say they're playing against the real heroes.

"I have the utmost respect for all the firefighters and everything they do and everything they give,” says backup quarterback Matt Flynn. “It's an honor to come out here and enjoy this beautiful day and play some softball."

And the firefighters say the feeling of respect is mutual.

"It's a great thrill,” says Hanson. “To come out here with these great athletes is just unbelievable," says Hanson.

The money raised by ticket sales from today's softball game will go to sponsor an inning at the Eau Claire Express games, as well as pay for additional firefighter training. The remainder will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.