Buffalo Grove Amphitheatre Promises to Be a Destination

The Buffalo Grove Park District will open its new amphitheater and pavilion at Mike Rylko Community Park just in time to co-host Buffalo Grove Days.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Aug. 29, the first day of the village’s annual Labor Day weekend festival.

The venue will be the festival’s new home, featuring bingo and Puzzle Palooza under the pavilion and main stage performers in the new amphitheater.

It will also host several park events throughout the year.

“Our staff at the (park district) community arts center is already looking at putting on shows here,” including Shakespeare in the Park, said Joe Zimmermann, the park district’s recreation and facilities director.

The district will also consider booking bands to perform at the venue, he added.

Construction on the $4.3 million facility began in November. Most of the funding came from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, including a $3 million grant from the Build Illinois Bond Fund, sponsored by the Illinois Black Caucus, and an additional $250,000 from the Build Illinois Bond Fund, sponsored by Illinois House Democrats.

The Village of Buffalo Grove donated $600,000 to the project.

At the center of the venue is a 4,480-square-foot amphitheater with a stage that seats 125. Spectator space will include 24,670 square feet of bleachers that can seat 3,500 people.

Spectators should expect excellent visibility, officials say.

“The lowest part is the stage itself. Everything else has been set up so people can bring their blankets, their lawn chairs, and no one has an obstructed view for the most part,” said Laurie Hoffman, the park district’s planning and development manager.

The 2,600-square-foot pavilion also serves as a shelter and, with a capacity of 170 people, will be available for rental.

In addition to the amphitheater and pavilion, other renovations are underway in the surrounding area. The Spray ‘n Play is being expanded, but it is temporarily closed until the renovations are completed next year.

Additionally, a nearby playground is being replaced, with renovations likely to be completed after Buffalo Grove Days 2025.

A network of trails connects the rest of Mike Rylko Community Park and the pedestrian bridge leading to Willow Stream Park. All paved trails can accommodate food trucks.

“We’ll probably move our summer concert series to the amphitheater and have a food truck on the trail, which will be nice for the community,” Zimmermann said.

Buffalo Grove Days is a collaboration between the village, the park district and the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove.

“This is a huge improvement for the park, and the possibilities will be endless,” said Molly Gillespie, the village’s director of communications and community engagement.

This year’s Buffalo Grove Days will include a special promotion, she added.

“One of the things we’re doing on Saturday as part of our brand launch is we’re going to have a live screen printer,” Gillespie said.

People can bring a t-shirt or tote bag and have it branded with the village’s new logo, “Smart. With Heart.”