MARYSVILLE – Residents can get a closer look at the city’s recently completed and long-awaited park amphitheater at two free events this week.
On Thursday, Marysville City Park will host an open house from 3 to 4 p.m., where visitors can tour the new outdoor facility. And on Friday, a number of activities are planned for what is known as Family Night, in keeping with the city’s ongoing centennial celebrations this year.
The building itself, which replaces the old bandstand in the park, was opened at the beginning of the summer after months of construction and a delay in the work. During this time, according to Stefanie Schneider, the city’s leisure coordinator, there were “great expectations for this amphitheater.”
“We’re really excited about it. The Katmandu, a Bob Seger tribute band, are one of the most popular bands we have every year. They’re excited to be the opening act,” Schneider said of Friday’s Family Night festivities, which begin at 6:30 p.m. “The mayor will be there to give kind of opening remarks, and then basically everything is free. Free food, free ice cream cones. There will be bounce houses, face painting, balloon figures. We’ll also be selling 100-year T-shirts.”
In addition, City Manager Randy Fernandez said Friday, “The Lions Club will provide free hot dogs, chips and water to the first 500 people.”
Following this week’s events, the amphitheater will continue to host weekly Music in the Park events on Wednesdays through September, with the following schedule:
- 14 August – Cliff Erickson
- 21 August – Petty criminals
- September 11th – Elvis Tribute
- September 18 – Blue Ice
- 25 September – Paul and Oates
Yes, there will be a flag: More about the amphitheater project
Marysville City Council members first gave the green light to a $547,600 bid to build the new facility in the central area and near the base of a grade in the city park in October 2023. The project’s completion date was pushed back 45 days from mid-June after workers encountered unforeseen construction materials, adding another $24,900 to the cost.
Unlike the old bandshell, the amphitheater will have toilets, storage rooms and changing rooms for the artists.
Fernandez said council members and six to eight organizations, including St. Clair County Community College and local theater groups, toured the amphitheater earlier this week to assess its future use and make recommendations.
“The council is aware of this. Maybe a little more lighting and sound and a few steps. Some of it is unimportant, some are things we have to consider in our budget,” said the city manager.
“And I know people are still concerned about the flag,” Fernandez said, referring to the flag prominently displayed on the back of the bandshell. It was identified early in the planning process as something that would also be included in the new structure.
“We’re working with an artist right now, but unfortunately he’s on vacation. So something like the flag and a few other things will come up in the future,” Fernandez added. “The flag used to be on the roof. We have plans. There could be multiple flags. But we want to do it right.”
For more information, contact the City’s Recreation Department at (810) 455-1302 or [email protected].
Contact reporter Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or [email protected].
