Baraboo
Mirror Lake State Park Amphitheater
6/22/2019; The etched stone has the names of the sponsors. It sits at the entrance at the top of the hillside leading down to the amphitheater.
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The 200 seat amphitheater in Mirror Lake State Park was a part of the park's master plan. It began in 2011, as a collaborative effort between the Friends of Mirror Lake, the Ho-Chunk Nation, Mirror Lake Rentals, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and a grant from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. It was completed in 2014 and cost approximately $225,000. The Ho-Chunk Nation provided $25,000, the WI DNR $15,000, and various local contractors provided in-kind labor or materials. A delightful wooded path leads down a hillside to the amphitheater. The design of the slopped seating area, which consists of large rectangular thick stones set semicircularly to the stage, was created by Nicholas Solutions of Madison; the stage was designed by Glenville Timberwrights of Baraboo. |
 6/22/2019; Signage is placed within the park to alert visitors of the Music in the Park events.
The amphitheater is used for naturalist programs which includes presenters and performers. The Friends uses it for Music in the Park events, which is funded through the sale of firewood. Signage is posted along Park's roadsides announcing musical events. - |
THE OPENING OF THE MIRROR LAKE AMPHITHEATER
Mirror Lake Amphitheater Opens
June 17, 2014
By jcuevas
Capital Newspapers Weeklies Lead
Mirror Lake Amphitheater Opens
June 17, 2014
By jcuevas
Capital Newspapers Weeklies Lead
After years of hard work, the amphitheater at Mirror Lake is complete.
The Friends of Mirror Lake State Park held a ribbon cutting and dedication for the 200 seat amphitheater Thursday. The Friends were joined by representatives from the Ho-Chunk Nation, DNR and the state — who all helped make the amphitheater a possibility.
Music was performed by The Swing Crew, Marco and David Reifsteck of Fiddlers 2, and the Ho-Chunk Nation who also had dancers perform.
The musicians and speakers spoke on the new stage which has speakers and sliding doors in back. Waldo Peterson was the MC for the event, and said he thought the project turned out beautifully.
“This is an amazing structure; we have so many people to thank for making it,” Peterson said.
The first guest speaker at the event was Ryder Will, Mirror Lake State Park superintendent. He said while he was a late comer to the project, he felt very fortunate to be able to see it through it at the end. He gave special thanks to the Friends and everyone in the DNR who helped make the facility possible.
“One thing we’ve talked about lately is one DNR, and how we all work together,” Will said. “I think this is a great example of this.”
Cindy Cseri, Friends of Mirror Lake president, said the project first started in 2011 when the DNR gave $15,000 for renovation. The project grew much larger and eventually turned into the stage and rock seating there today. The DNR donated most of the money for the seating and help from the DNR, Mirror Lake Rentals and Ho-Chunk Nation made the stage possible.
“A small line item budget of $15,000, coupled with inspiration and determination has brought to life this outdoor amphitheater,” Cseri said. “Each phase was an opportunity for community groups, leaders and businesses to collaborate and complete this magnificent treasure. Many of our contractors donated labor and materials to make sure the amphitheater came to life in a spectacular way.”
Dan Schuller, director of Parks and Recreation, said the state parks have a responsibility in law to protect the natural wonders of the state. He thanked all the construction crews, significant donors, Ho-Chunk Nation and the DNR.
“This is a true partnership in all respects of the word,” Schuller said.
Amphitheaters have always been a part of the DNR system, but Mirror Lake has something different, he said. The venue will provide opportunities for teaching, music, theater and weddings. It will be a place to make memories.
Sarah Klavas, Wisconsin Department of Tourism director of industry service, thanked everyone for being a part of sharing the wonder of the new amphitheater.
“How wonderful that now in this area of the Wisconsin Dells where fun meets nature that we can have yet another asset for our visitors to enjoy,” Klavas said. “Come for the waterpark, and stay for the amphitheater.”
Ho-Chunk Nation was represented by Collin Price, director of public relations. He said the amphitheater was beautiful, which everyone can see, but people can’t see the hard work that went into it. He also expressed what a true partnership the project was.
“The Ho-Chunk Nation is proud to be partners and friends with the entire staff here,” Price said.
The final speaker was Cathy Stepp, DNR secretary. She said thanked everyone for the work they did on the project and keeping the park a clean and pleasant place to visit.
“You have all made me a better and more enriched person,” Stepp said.
After the speakers were done the official ribbon cutting took place. Food and drinks were provided by Ishnala Supper Club.
The amphitheater has already hosted its first wedding and has more planned for the summer. Information about the friends can be found at http://friendsofmirrorlake.org.
The Friends of Mirror Lake State Park held a ribbon cutting and dedication for the 200 seat amphitheater Thursday. The Friends were joined by representatives from the Ho-Chunk Nation, DNR and the state — who all helped make the amphitheater a possibility.
Music was performed by The Swing Crew, Marco and David Reifsteck of Fiddlers 2, and the Ho-Chunk Nation who also had dancers perform.
The musicians and speakers spoke on the new stage which has speakers and sliding doors in back. Waldo Peterson was the MC for the event, and said he thought the project turned out beautifully.
“This is an amazing structure; we have so many people to thank for making it,” Peterson said.
The first guest speaker at the event was Ryder Will, Mirror Lake State Park superintendent. He said while he was a late comer to the project, he felt very fortunate to be able to see it through it at the end. He gave special thanks to the Friends and everyone in the DNR who helped make the facility possible.
“One thing we’ve talked about lately is one DNR, and how we all work together,” Will said. “I think this is a great example of this.”
Cindy Cseri, Friends of Mirror Lake president, said the project first started in 2011 when the DNR gave $15,000 for renovation. The project grew much larger and eventually turned into the stage and rock seating there today. The DNR donated most of the money for the seating and help from the DNR, Mirror Lake Rentals and Ho-Chunk Nation made the stage possible.
“A small line item budget of $15,000, coupled with inspiration and determination has brought to life this outdoor amphitheater,” Cseri said. “Each phase was an opportunity for community groups, leaders and businesses to collaborate and complete this magnificent treasure. Many of our contractors donated labor and materials to make sure the amphitheater came to life in a spectacular way.”
Dan Schuller, director of Parks and Recreation, said the state parks have a responsibility in law to protect the natural wonders of the state. He thanked all the construction crews, significant donors, Ho-Chunk Nation and the DNR.
“This is a true partnership in all respects of the word,” Schuller said.
Amphitheaters have always been a part of the DNR system, but Mirror Lake has something different, he said. The venue will provide opportunities for teaching, music, theater and weddings. It will be a place to make memories.
Sarah Klavas, Wisconsin Department of Tourism director of industry service, thanked everyone for being a part of sharing the wonder of the new amphitheater.
“How wonderful that now in this area of the Wisconsin Dells where fun meets nature that we can have yet another asset for our visitors to enjoy,” Klavas said. “Come for the waterpark, and stay for the amphitheater.”
Ho-Chunk Nation was represented by Collin Price, director of public relations. He said the amphitheater was beautiful, which everyone can see, but people can’t see the hard work that went into it. He also expressed what a true partnership the project was.
“The Ho-Chunk Nation is proud to be partners and friends with the entire staff here,” Price said.
The final speaker was Cathy Stepp, DNR secretary. She said thanked everyone for the work they did on the project and keeping the park a clean and pleasant place to visit.
“You have all made me a better and more enriched person,” Stepp said.
After the speakers were done the official ribbon cutting took place. Food and drinks were provided by Ishnala Supper Club.
The amphitheater has already hosted its first wedding and has more planned for the summer. Information about the friends can be found at http://friendsofmirrorlake.org.
Ryder Will, Mirror Lake State Park superintendent, speaks to the visitors of the amphitheater dedicadtion at Mirror Lake State Park. The amphitheater was completed after years of work by the DNR, Friends of Mirror Lake, Ho-Chunk Nation and others.
Photo by Jason Cuevas, Events.
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Members of Ho-Chunk Nation perform during the amphitheater dedication at Mirror Lake State Park on Thursday, June 17, 2014.
Photo by Jason Cuevas, Events
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Marco and David Reifsteek, the Fiddlers 2, perform at the dedication of the amphitheater at Mirror Lake , State Park, June 17, 2014.
Photo by Jason Cuevas, Events
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