Departments

Event Venues For Celebrating in 2024 and Beyond

It was just a few years ago when in-person get togethers were consistently being postponed and cancelled, replaced with virtual meetings and alternative plans. Enter 2024 and both grand and intimate events are back and better than ever.

In the Fox Cities and surrounding area, new venues are popping up and bringing back the joy in celebrating the big and small moments of life:

West Edison Rivery, Appleton

Owners Ben and Jenna Ament

What: “The Rivery” is an industrial, historical building that was renovated to an event space to host weddings, corporate events, private parties, showers and more.

Unique aspects of the space: The Edison Center building where The Rivery event space is located was once home to the first commercially successful electric street railway. The Appleton Electric Railcars were housed in the building known as the “Car Barn” from 1886-1930. Under The Rivery’s concrete floors are railcar tracks where the trolley cars would pull in every night. We preserved the original character of the space by keeping the exposed cream city brick and beams that span across a 20′ tall ceiling and updating the original 12ft tall arched top windows. We also added glass garage doors and have a bridal and groom suite for wedding parties to get ready onsite.

Why embark on the endeavor of opening an event/wedding venue? We started in the venue business in 2019 with our first event venue, Brindlewood Barn in Hilbert. We wanted to renovate our barn to host our wedding in 2020, and always had the intention to open the barn up for couples to rent after our wedding in 2020. After the first two years of running our first venue, we came across the opportunity to renovate the space in the Edison Center and couldn’t pass it up. We love the venue renovation process and curating space to have a great flow for weddings, but were excited about the potential to host more of a variety of events with The Rivery being located downtown and the ability to operate year round. It was a very fun process to walk through all the types of events and how the flow of the space would be, especially with over 150 weddings now hosted at our first location, we felt a little more qualified and experienced the second go-around.

When did the space officially open? Our first event was in September 2023.

Must-know information: We can seat up to 200 guests for a sit-down dinner event and are open to all other types of events as well. We have a no add-on cost model, so what you pay for will include everything that we offer. We want every event booking to be able to have the best experience possible for them and for their guests! Looking to host an event? Inquire at WestEdisonRivery.com or BrindlewoodBarn.com

King Pin’s Lodge within The 10th Frame, Appleton

Owner/General Manager Chad Van Daalwyk

What: The King Pin’s Lodge is the newest venue for you to host your next event—whether it’s a wedding or retirement party or celebration of life.

Unique aspects of the space: The “lodge feel” of the room comes from old repurposed barn wood and tin from all over Wisconsin. King Pin’s Lodge has a warm feel and has its own bar and sound system and is wired for larger bands. It also features a one of a kind American flag made out of old Wisconsin barn wood as well. The room can be set up anyway guests would like. You do have many food options from The 10th Frame as well as from local catering companies… We still have the old lanes used for the flooring, which is super unique as well as the different textures on the walls and ceiling.

Why embark on the endeavor of opening an event/wedding venue? We needed to replace the lanes because of the age and shape so I needed to do something… after a lot of thought I decided to cut the alleys in half and go from 16 lanes to 8. So many days many of the lanes were not being used and didn’t generate any income so we turned it into the now King Pin’s Lodge. My background is being a bar owner for the last 21 years, and learning the food catering business together with my mother and sister.

When did the space officially open? The space opened for its first live music event last New Year’s Eve but was only half done. It fully opened in September with “Ask Your Mother” playing live, which was a huge success along with a ton of parties following.

Must-know information: COVID was very tough for us so we decided to do a huge facelift. From the outside of the building repainted, new signage, flooring, upgraded lanes and bumpers, lighting, paint, plumbing, electrical, new HVAC system, a 22 draft beer selection, new TVs and the list goes on. We really wanted a fresh image and to make people feel welcome and comfortable.

Stonewood, Green Bay

Banquet Manager Demetrius Avery

What: Stonewood is an elegant and sophisticated wedding venue located in Green Bay. Offering family-style, plated, and buffet-style meals, as well as a full-service bar, it has everything couples need for a banquet that’ll blow all their loved ones away. Hosting up to 350 guests, Stonewood boasts ample room for both large-scale celebrations and intimate gatherings and various spaces for ceremonies, cocktail parties, and receptions. “I dos” and celebratory drinks can take place at the magnificent ballroom, and with access to a sleek, wooden bar, guests can toast to their hearts’ content as they await the evening’s festivities. Once it’s time for dinner and dancing, the ballroom will be fully transformed into a beautiful banquet hall.

Unique aspects of the space: In addition to our Ballrooms, we have 2 conference rooms available with state-of-the-art technology including video conference capabilities on our 85″ TVs and high-speed internet, perfect for your next business meeting. We can host Holiday parties, Banquets, Auctions, School Dances, Baby Showers, Anniversary Celebrations and Conferences. We offer plated meals, family style, or buffet, as options for your wedding dinner as well as a full-service bar.

Why embark on the endeavor of opening an event/wedding venue? I have over 30 years of experience in the food service industry with a background in wedding venues as well.

When did the space officially open? Our first official event was on October 28, 2023. Our Ribbon cutting was on December 6, 2023.

Must-know information: Stonewood ties in modern and luxury designed to make your event truly unforgettable. You can choose from multiple event spaces and an expansive menu to tailor your event to exactly what you envision.