West Bend Mutual Insurance donates $600K for construction of new amphitheater

WEST BEND -- The Washington County Board voted on Wednesday, December 9th to accept a $600,000 donation from West Bend Mutual Insurance for the construction of a new amphitheater stage at Washington County Fair Park. The new state-of-the-art venue will be named the “Silver Lining Amphitheater.”

The new stage is part of a plan to upgrade the facilities at Fair Park and attract new talent to venue. Construction of the new amphitheater stage is expected to begin in early spring 2016 and be completed in time for the 2016 Washington County Fair.

The Silver Lining Amphitheater will replace the fair’s current amphitheater, which was built in 1999, with a larger 50 by 100 foot stage. The new amphitheater will be covered, offering protection from the elements for entertainers that will help attract additional high-caliber acts throughout the season. The venue will accommodate 1,500 people.

As part of the public-private partnership to improve the fairgrounds, the Washington County Board has allocated up to $85,000 in county funds for architectural services and preliminary site work.

Zimmerman Architectural Studios will design the Silver Lining Amphitheater. Zimmerman’s entertainment venue portfolio includes the Miller Lite Oasis, Harley-Davidson Roadhouse and Summerfest’s Rock Stage.