Is there anything more helplessly romantic than a classic amusement park? Settled on the banks of the Fox River as it flows into Green Bay, Bay Beach has entertained guests for 125 years. Its scenic location coupled with the amusement park’s commitment to making itself both a picturesque and affordable attraction has garnered it a reputation as a true Wisconsin classic. Vintage concessions of ruby red and bright blue sno cones, Good Humor ice cream bars and yummy, scrumptious popcorn are sold at throw back prices to pair with the wide array of classic rides that dot the landscape of Bay Beach. If you haven’t been to Bay Beach, you need to go, and if you have been there, you know what the buzz is about.
Simply put, there is something special about Bay Beach… a magical place that provides fun for patrons of all ages. The thrill of riding The Zippin Pippin is exhilaratingly universal, as I recall riding Elvis Presley's favorite roller coaster two summers ago with my father-in-law, a man in his 70’s. Both he, myself (a man in his late 30’s) and the pre-teen in the car behind is all smiled with delight like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland upon the ride’s conclusion. Few things can garner such a universal reaction as the thrill of a good roller coaster.
If there was anyone to use Bay Beach as a backdrop for a record, that person would have to be Trapper Schoepp. Schoepp is a master storyteller, and his passion for local lore, history, and his home state of Wisconsin is evident on his new 6-song EP Bay Beach Amusement Park, set for release this Friday, June 2nd, and celebrated with a concert at Anodyne Coffee in Walker’s Point with the superb veteran Missouri-based Americana rockers Ha Ha Tonka opening the show.
“My first ride was a total thrill,” Schoepp stated when referring to his maiden voyage on The Zippin Pippin. “I got right back in line wanting to set lyrics to the rhythm of the roller coaster. It reminded me of the innocence of childhood and the great escape a ride can give you.”
Schoepp's keen observations of human behavior allow him to craft stories that draw his listeners into the hearts of his characters. This is clearly seen on the first single off of the EP Bay Beach Amusement Park, “Bumper Cars,” where Schoepp recalls the classic thrill of being able to choose who you hit, not who hits you, with a barrage of clever comparisons between riding the bumper cars and confronting social groups with stark differences. Who else could incorporate opposite groups like the Jedi and the Sith, the Hatfields and the McCoys, and even Jerry Seinfeld and his postal service nemesis, Neumann, other than the always clever, Trapper Schoepp?
“In a world of derivatives, Bay Beach is an original,” Schoepp stated. “It’s a happy place for me to return to both in song and in real life.”
“In a world of derivatives, Bay Beach is an original,” Schoepp stated. “It’s a happy place for me to return to both in song and in real life.”
Schoepp's classic rock swagger, fantastic stage presence, and ability to relate to fans from age 2 to age 100 makes him a truly unique, charismatic and special performer.
