Green Bay
Billie Kress Amphitheater in Green Bay Botanical Garden
Since 2001, the Green Bay Botanical Garden (GBBG) master plan called for an amphitheater. Music programs began in the Garden by 1997, only a year after the Garden was open to the public. The Billie Kress Amphitheater in the Schneider Family Grand Garden was designed in 2015 and opened with its first musical performance and dedication in September of 2017.
The project construction began in the fall of 2016 and was completed in 2017. The entire project consists of a 2.5 acre garden with the amphitheater, a concessions building featuring a catering kitchen, classroom and restrooms, an overlook arbor and a pavilion that houses a well and provides the backdrop for a wedding garden. The design was a collaborative effort between Jason Hale of Somerville Architects for the structure and Smith Group Landscape Architects for the grand lawn and surrounding garden.
The total project cost was about $4.5 million. Members and donors from the Green Bay area community provided the funding. Irene Daniell “Billie” Kress was a patron of the arts and longstanding Garden member and supporter. Her children are third generation owners of Green Bay Packaging. The Arbors have plaques honoring other key donors including: Family of Donald & Patricia Schneider, second generation owner of Schneider; Family of Emil & Gail Fischer, second generation owner of Atlas Warehouse & Cold Storage; Bill & Barb Wangerin Family, third generation owner of the former Lov-it Creamery; Matthew Schmidt, deceased son of Karl & Karen Schmidt; Margaret & Robert Cowles; Romain & Mary Schanock, local McDonald’s franchisors; KC Stock Foundation; WPS Foundation; Schneider Foundation, and many others.
The Sanimax Series runs Thursday evenings and is free to members.
The Les Stumpf Ford Series is a ticketed event and features more regional/national acts.
The space may also be rented for private events.
GBBG manages the venue and the entertainment.
The information was graciously provided by Susan Garot, Executive Director of Green Bay Botanical Garden (GBBG).
The Sanimax Series runs Thursday evenings and is free to members.
The Les Stumpf Ford Series is a ticketed event and features more regional/national acts.
The space may also be rented for private events.
GBBG manages the venue and the entertainment.
The information was graciously provided by Susan Garot, Executive Director of Green Bay Botanical Garden (GBBG).
Location |