The Zippin Pippin at Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay (File Photo)
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — For families looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of the draft, a number of Green Bay attractions will be open for business.
With public schools closed, Bay Beach is opening during the draft, almost two weeks earlier than normal. That’s right – families looking to avoid the draft can ride the Zippin’ Pippin or participate in various special children’s camps around northeast Wisconsin.
The park is city-run and typically operates only from May through September.
“Bay Beach has been part of our community for a long time,” said James Andersen, deputy director of the Green Bay Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. “It plays a huge role [in the community].”
Andersen added that he isn’t aware of a time that the park has opened early.
For tourists and locals, it makes sense one of the city’s big attractions would open for its biggest event.
“When you think about Green Bay,” said Anderson, “I think one of those iconic things you think about is historic Bay Beach Amusement Park.”
For families looking to keep their kids active while away from school, City Stadium will be packed with future gridiron stars – ones even younger than those hearing their name called over near Lambeau.
The YMCA and the city of Green Bay will host Field Fest on the Wednesday before the draft. Kids will have the chance to participate in eight football-themed stations.
“It’s a great way of making sure kids have a safe place to go where they can be active during the draft,” said Greater Green Bay YMCA executive director of financial development Emily Smith. “We’re gonna have three days off of school for Green Bay Public Schools it’s a lot of kids that need a place to go and to do something fun.”
Children more interested in adventure and wildlife can head to the NEW Zoo for the Zip Camp or the Creature Camp.
“We meet animals, we go on tours of the zoo, we usually feed animals either giraffes or the children’s zoo critters, we do crafts, we do games,” said NEW Zoo Education Coordinator Angela Kawski. “We really get the kids up and moving to burn a lot of energy off when they’re here.”
Anderson added: “I just think its’ a great opportunity, because it’s not only that we’re celebrating the NFL draft and the energy of that and the tourism, but also celebrating our local community.”
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