April 28, 2021 – Washington Co., WI – After more than an hour of discussion the Washington County Board voted 22 – 4 to approve a resolution to enter a 10-year public-private partnership to maximize use of the Silver Lining Amphitheater at Washington County Fair Park. The four dissenting votes were Supervisors Pete Source, Robert Hartwig, Joseph Gonnering, and Lois Krueger-Gundrum.
Supervisor Krueger-Gundrum said during discussion she was nervous about a new venture starting with a 10-year agreement.
The county executive and county attorney Brad Stern had reportedly been in discussions and negotiating a contract with Eagles Entertainment, Inc. for the past eight months. The County Board was made aware of the effort within the last two weeks and Wednesday night, when the issue first became public, the board voted on an action item during a special meeting.
Washington County and Eagles Entertainment, Inc., owner and operator of The Rave/Eagles Club in Milwaukee, have signed a 10 year deal to host a yearly concert series from May through November at the Silver Lining Amphitheater located at Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center.
The series will feature a mix of events appealing to all segments of the local and regional population including major concerts by the music industry’s top performers, festivals, family shows, civic events, and corporate events.
Under the terms of the Agreement, various upgrades to the Fair Park will be constructed including putting in permanent restrooms and concession stands among other improvements largely financed by Eagles Entertainment, Inc. with the intention of hosting shows from 10,000 to 25,000 people at the facility.
The Washington County Fair will continue to be held at the Fair Park as will many of the other agricultural and industrial events that have come to call Fair Park home throughout the years.
“The new partnership with Eagle Entertainment, Inc. is a game changer for Washington County, and is another step in fully achieving the opportunity envisioned for these amazing facilities. Furthermore, this reestablishes our commitment for the county to take the lead in fully utilizing these beautiful facilities, and renewing our partnership with AIS and community groups,” said County Executive Josh Schoemann
“The County will take on accountability for optimizing Fair Park grounds. AIS will focus on Agriculture and Industry, as their name is defined,” said Supervisor Pam Konrath who represents Supervisory District 15 in which the Fair Park is located. “Hoping it will positively affect the quality of life of our beautiful rural community, why we all choose to live in the Town of Polk and Washington County.”
The County-owned Washington County Fair Park & Conference Center, which opened its doors in 1999, sits on 133-acres in the Town of Polk about 30 miles north of Downtown Milwaukee.
Eagles Entertainment, Inc. has owned and operated The Rave/Eagles Club in Milwaukee for the past this 30 years. The Rave/Eagles Club has hosted thousands of the world’s greatest entertainers over time and is recognized as being among the top 5 entertainment clubs in America.