MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Win or lose, most Brewers fans are just happy to see the return of baseball and the promise of spring. But a blow-out win definitely makes it even better. 

Parking lots at American Family Field were full of grills and tailgaters enjoying food and games for Opening Day Thursday. For fans, this season opener at home -for the first time in five years- is special.

"It's the start of baseball," Brewers fan Arturo Gamez said. "The vibe is exciting, everybody's amped up. It's going to be our year type of thing, let's see what happens." 

The sea of blue and gold brought electric energy to the parking lot at American Family Field, as well as what you could expect -- brats, hamburgers, and games of bags-or cornhole. 

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Some told us they were excited to be here for the first time. We heard from several people playing "hooky" from work, saying they needed to be at this game. And for the Muraski family, this is a tradition eight years in the making. 

"It's special to me," Andrew Muraski said. "I'm sure it's special to my son, and I'm hoping one day, my guys will pay for me to come here." His youngest, Brody added, "let's go, Brewers!"

Matt Gates said he's been a fan of The Crew "ever since I was a little kid. I was around in '82, crying my eyes out when the Brewers lost their series. I've been a die-hard fan ever since."

Most of the crowd went inside as soon as the gates opened at 12:10, but some stragglers were going in as late as the second inning. The biggest takeaway from fans is that tailgating and the camaraderie is what makes baseball special.

Crowds also gathered across Milwaukee bars throughout the day Thursday, celebrating the start of the season. 

Kelly's Bleachers was packed with fans as early as 9 a.m., there to support their favorite team. They ran non-stop shuttles back and forth from American Family Field, and the owner says they shuttled hundreds of people.

"I've lived here my whole life," Brewers fan Kate Morill said. "So fun. So excited. I love the Brewers, it's so fun."

"Stop working, just come out and have fun and enjoy Opening Day," fan Kelley Lalk said.