Two Rivers
Central Park Schmitt Brothers Stage and the 1976 Central Memorial Park Bandshell
In 2023, Two Rivers completely revamped Central Park.
Included in this webpage are both the 2023 version and the older one.
2023 Central Park Schmitt Brother Stage

The new Schmitt Brothers Stage, named after the locally famous four barbershop quartet brothers, was dedicated on July 16. 2023, along with all the many new Park renovations amid great fanfare. Included was music by several Wisconsin groups including the Spicy Tie Band, Ten Strings Acoustics, and Lakeshore Wind Ensemble. In his dedication remarks, former Mayor Jim Schmitt (son of the quartet's lead singer) said "It was in this very park that Two Rivers welcomed their hometown heroes after they won the SPEBSQSA title in 1951. If the quartet were alive today, they would be thrilled to hear the harmony of this wonderful celbration and see this city coming together to create and enjoy the beautiful park."
The City coordinated the renovation. Funding of the $1.75M Park project included a $50,000 Vibrant Spaces grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Other funding for the Stage included $122,000 from the extended Schmitt family.
The City coordinated the renovation. Funding of the $1.75M Park project included a $50,000 Vibrant Spaces grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Other funding for the Stage included $122,000 from the extended Schmitt family.
Free concerts are held during the summer months. It is also used for dances, weddings, and other entertainment.
1976 Central Memorial Park Bandshell

Two Rivers Central Memorial Park is in the heart of downtown Two Rivers. In 1976 the bandstand was built and dedicated to Lorenz Lueck, the Two Rivers Municipal Band director from 1921 to 1961. A Bicentennial time capsule with 1976 mementos was placed there and is to be opened July 4, 2026.
Local service clubs - Kiwanis, Rotary, Jaycees Lions, and Silver K Kiwanis - helped to raise the goal of $24,000 needed to built the bandstand. Plans for an acoustically designed shell that can hold up to 60 people on stage were created by Gene Maloney. Groundbreaking was in May and construction took about one month. The new bandshell replaced an older structure from 1902. In 2016 the roof was replaced, it was painted, and wind/sunscreen was added on the west side. Benches surrounding the stage can accommodate 300.
Two Rivers is known as the birthplace of the ice cream sundae. Although other cities claim this title, this is the only one endorsed by the National Register of Historic Places. A Wisconsin Historical Marker in Central Park tells the story and banners have lined the streets celebrating it as the "Home of the Ice Cream Sundae". |
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