UPDATED Friday, April 6, 2012 --- 12:30 p.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Catholics partying before the Brewers' home opener might want to think twice before grilling the bratwurst and sausage that are near requirements at a Milwaukee tailgate.

Opening Day falls on Good Friday this year. Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki says traditions aside, Catholics must still abstain from eating meat.

Listecki says Good Friday is one of the holiest days of the year, a day when Catholics must abstain from meat and poultry. He says fans will have plenty of other opportunities to tailgate.

Grilling is a tailgating staple at most baseball stadiums, but especially in Milwaukee. In fact, one of the most popular game attractions is the Racing Sausages -- people who race in the middle of the sixth inning while dressed as bratwurst, chorizo, hot dog, Italian and Polish sausage.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.

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Posted Friday, April 6, 2012 --- 10:50 a.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Baseball fans began lining up outside the parking lots at Miller Park hours before the gates were scheduled to open Friday.

It was a pre-tailgate warm-up to the Milwaukee Brewers sold-out home opener. Parking lots open at noon. Gates to the ballpark will be open shortly after 1 p.m., two hours before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Fans are tailgating under sunny skies with temperatures in the 40s. The Brewers will have the roof closed for the game. The first pitch belongs to Miss America, Kenosha's Laura Kaeppeler. She'll sing "God Bless America" during the seventh inning.

Owner Mark Attanasio's dad, Joseph, will sing the national anthem, as per tradition.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.