Seward Street in downtown Ripon, is owned and operated by Ripon Main Street, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring the economic vitality of downtown Ripon. The green space was donated to Ripon Main Street in December 1995 by M&I Bank following their acquisition of Valley Bank which was located adjacent to the park. Main Street commissioned architect Rick Schroeder, AIA in 1996 to design a bandstand for the new entertainment space. Doug Lyke, a former president of Ripon Main Street, and his wife Audrey donated the funds to build the structure making the Village Green and bandstand a reality. Local contractors completed the construction project in time for the start of the 1996 summer concert season. Prior to this, bands preformed on flatbed trailers or hay wagons. In the years since, Ripon Main Street has partnered with the Ripon Rotary Club on various park improvement projects. A new landscaped entrance at the intersection was added in 2013, a handicap assessable ramp and the east bandstand entrance off Watson Street were installed in 2014, and new electrical services and stage lighting were installed in >>> to make the facility more accommodating for larger performances. In addition, numerous individuals purchased/adopted bricks helping raise additional funds for beautification. The Ripon Summer Concert Series has grown since its inception in 1993 and now encompasses a wide range of musical genres including country, blues, rock and other styles. Most concerts area free to the public. The concerts take place on Friday evenings (June through August) from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. NO CARRY-INs are allowed in the park. Local businesses typically sponsor the music series, but additional donations are always needed. To sponsor a concert, contact the Ripon Main Street office at 920-748-7466. Donations can also be sent to: Village Green Concerts, P.O. Box 365, Ripon, WI 54971. invites you to enjoy an evening of entertainment in historic downtown Ripon and discover what makes our community so special. Visit the Ripon Summer Concert Series website (www.downtownripon.com/riponmainst/summer-concert-gallery.html) for additional information. NOTICE OF FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY: When you attend an event or program at The Village Green, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by Ripon Main Street, Inc. and its affiliates and representatives. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar Ripon Main Street, Inc. events in the future, highlight the event and exhibit the capabilities of Ripon Main Street. You release Ripon Main Street, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or or sound recordings. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by Ripon Main Street, Inc., or the person or entity designated to do so by Ripon Main Street, Inc. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.
