Green Bay turns 150 Promoting Green Bay's 150th anniversary. By Anna Krejci News-Chronicle Green Bay was founded as a city on Feb. 27, 1854, with a population of about 1,600. Some 150 years later, more than half that number is employed by the city. As the city's 150th anniversary is approaching, plans for the sesquicentennial celebration - formally announced in December - are taking shape. The yearlong slate of activities will honor the city's growth and progress over the last 150 years. A Feb. 26 dinner, open to the public and to be held in the Lambeau Field Atrium, marks the first of several events during the year that will commemorate the city's birthday. "It's really important that the community understand why this is such a great city," said Mayor Jim Schmitt. He said the festivities offer a chance for everyone in the community to remember the people whose efforts made the city a "great" place. One of the highlights of the Feb. 26 event will be the debut of a historical documentary comprised of interviews with former mayors as well as historical images of the city. Celebrations suit the mayor's personality. "I am a person that likes to celebrate," Schmitt said. He cited several occasions on which his family marks time's passing, such as the family pet's birthday and the "birthday" of their house. In celebration of their house, the Schmitt family sets a birthday cake outside the front entranceway and lets the wind generated from shutting the door puff out the cake's glowing candles. The Feb. 26 dinner will be more elaborate. The Lambeau Field Atrium site was chosen because part of the Green Bay Packers' contribution to the event was free use of the facility's space. "There are some people who have not been out to the Atrium yet," Schmitt added. Other sesquicentennial events during the yearlong celebration will be held downtown, but holding the gala in one of the area's latest facilities offers a look at the past from a new environment, Schmitt said. As the mayor's office prepares for the event, it is garnering support from businesses and corporations, a list Schmitt says is growing. In addition to contributing monetary donations, several businesses are donating time or services to the event. Georgia-Pacific has donated the printing of invitations, Goltz-Seering has volunteered to provide artwork and layout design for the program and sesquicentennial logo, while Promotional Design participated by creating the logo and enhancing the city's flag. Wisconsin Public Service, the company that once operated the city's buses, will assemble a display at the birthday party that highlights major technological advances in the history of gas and electricity for the city and Northeast Wisconsin. "A 150-year-old birthday party doesn't come around very often," said Tom Meinz, WPS senior vice president. Green Bay is the corporate office's place of origin and the city is the largest it serves. In addition to the paper and energy industries, the area's hospitals are supporting the event. "As one of the city's major employers, we felt it is important to help the city celebrate this milestone," said Heidi Selberg, director of marketing at St. Mary's Hospital, noting that the hospital, established in 1900, has served the city through much of its history. Tom Schoffelman, director of public relations at Bellin Health, said the hospital wants to support the city because the two entities strive to foster a strong, healthy community. "We believe in the history of this community," Schoffelman said. The mayor said he hopes other businesses and community organizations will initiate their own city birthday celebrations. The mayor's Beautification Committee has recommended that each neighborhood plant a commemorative tree in honor of the city's milestone. "A tree is a symbol of longevity," said Paul Hartman, committee chairman. The beautification committee will work with the city's forestry department to finalize the plans for the spring. Hartman said the committee is considering ginkgoes, bur oaks or Kentucky coffee trees. The city of Green Bay's 150th birthday celebration will take place from 7-10 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the Lambeau Field Atrium. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. Courses will be followed by historical video clips and dancing to music of various eras. At 10 p.m., a dessert bar and live music will be provided at the Legends Club level. Individuals wishing to sponsor the event with $250 contributions are invited to attend a 6 p.m. reception with other event sponsors and former mayors. The contribution includes tickets to the reception and dinner. Dinner tickets cost $50 per person and can be obtained by contacting the mayor's office at 448-3005. At 10 a.m. Feb. 27, Mayor Jim Schmitt will unveil a new exterior sign for City Hall and present plans to establish the building's welcome center. An enhanced Kids Day Celebration will be held June 25. Special to the second-annual event will be a fireworks display. Last year, the city's children attended free events, including pool time and rides at Bay Beach Amusement Park. The "Pride of Green Bay" Parade will take place Aug. 14. It will expand upon the annual Kiddie Carnival parade by incorporating city high school bands, veterans and neighborhood associations. A citywide barbecue is scheduled to follow. Also is August is the sesquicentennial music festival. Sponsors for the Feb. 26 birthday celebration include: American Foods Group, American Express Property and Casualty, Associated Bank, Bellin Health, Georgia-Pacific Corp., Goltz-Seering, Green Bay Packers, Packerland Packing Co. Inc., PMI, Prevea Clinics, Procter and Gamble, Promotional Designs Inc., SBC, St. Mary's Hospital, St. Vincent's Hospital, Schreiber Foods Inc., Wisconsin Public Service.