GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A Green Bay staple celebrates a milestone this weekend.
Bay Beach Amusement Park is holding a 125th birthday party Saturday.
Park Director Jason Arnoldi notes how the recreational area got its start.
“In 1892, a gentleman by the name of Mitchell Nejedlo, who actually purchased this land which was pretty much swamp back then, made it into a beach resort. Unfortunately, with how hard it was to get people out here, it kind of floundered a little bit.”
However, Arnoldi says the park was revived when John Cusick purchased it in 1908, overseeing the construction of the pavilion and bringing the first ride to the park.
“The Shoot the Chute ride, which was a flat-bottomed boat that was brought up, led to a tower, and then released and slid into the bay. Unfortunately, that fell into disrepair after some ice flow damage during the winter, so that wasn’t around for very long.”
Arnoldi notes Bay Beach was donated to the City of Green Bay in the 1920’s, under the condition that it would remain a park.
The city contracted out some of the park’s aspects for decades before beginning to fully operate Bay Beach in the 1950’s, which it has done ever since.
Arnoldi says the park currently has 22 rides. When past rides are included, he notes the total is closer to 30.
While the Zippin Pippin is currently the only roller coaster at Bay Beach, Arnoldi notes the park previously played host to the Greyhound and the Jackrabbit.
As for the birthday celebration, Arnoldi notes there will be live music throughout the day, including one act that will be familiar to sports fans.
“We are having some members of the UW marching band come out. They’re going to start off by the Zippin Pippin, march through the park, and then have a bit of their Fifth Quarter celebration performance going on out there.”
Arnoldi says there will also be other entertainment, food specials, and a fireworks show.
The celebration runs from 10 am to 9 pm.
