Art Keller Field - Carthage Firebirds
Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29
Art Keller Field 2001 Alford Park Dr Kenosha, WI 53140
Year Opened: 1965
Capacity: 2,418
Red on the Water
Art Keller Field is a wonderful football stadium near the shores of Lake Michigan. The student center is underneath the home stands, giving football fans access to a full team store and great concession options. The team also has a great mascot, and there is comfortable, backed seating on both sides of the field. Parking is free right next to the field, and the bright colors really pop. All in all, you are in for a real treat when you visit Kenosha for a Firebirds football game.
Food & Beverage 5
Art Keller Field’s home stands are built above the student center, which means fans get access to the students’ full array of dining options. Inside the student center are three main options – chicken wrap/wings/tenders at one stand, $8 design-your-own burrito bowls at another, and lastly a full-on gas station-esque grocery store offering almost anything you could want to snack on at a game, including hot dogs, popcorn, cold cut sandwiches, chips, cookies, candy, and beverages galore. The prices are fantastic because you are paying what the students pay.
Atmosphere 5
Art Keller Field has chairback benches on both sides of the field, but the nice thing about the home side is that all seats have small dividers/arm rests, making sure you have your own space to sit – keeping your friends close, but not too close. Carthage also has a great mascot, with a unique costume you probably won’t see anywhere else in college football. The cheer squad and band also do a great job keeping fans engaged during the contest – it is enjoyable to watch the cheer squad in particular, rapidly twirling their flame-themed banners.
Another fun twist is that the staff strobes the lights to temporarily darken the facility after big plays by the Firebirds, such as turnovers and touchdowns. At the very beginning of the game, the P.A. announcer even warns fans that this will occur, giving light-sensitive visitors a chance to plan, which is a nice touch.
Neighborhood 4
There is a ton to do in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with probably the biggest attraction being outdoor activities around nearby Lake Michigan. These attractions include several local parks, as well as the 50-foot-tall North Pier Lighthouse (which you can visit but can’t go inside, as it is privately owned and still active).
Other attractions in Kenosha include riding the streetcar or visiting one of the museums downtown – the most popular for families is probably the dinosaur museum, but there is also a Civil War museum. The Civil War museum in Kenosha is a bit different than what you might expect, as it is all about the “forgotten” home front; no major battles were fought in Wisconsin, but the Midwest sent over a million soldiers to the war effort. In addition, the Midwest supplied the Northern army with foodstuffs such as grain and pork, horses and mules to drag the artillery and move the army, and munitions and weaponry built in the Midwest’s many factories.
There are plenty of restaurants and hotels in the area as well, if you want to extend your visit and stay a couple of days in town to take in everything Kenosha has to offer.
Fans 3
The fans at Carthage Firebird games are wonderful. While not every seat may be filled, they are polite and supportive of their team. They cheer at the right times and stay all the way to the end.
Another plus is that the home stands are much fuller than the visiting stands; it is always great to see students and local fans outnumbering those who traveled in!
Access 4
Getting to Kenosha is easy, as both I-94 and I-41 get close to it; Carthage College itself is about 15-20 minutes from the interstate. And as I mentioned earlier, once you get to the facility, there is free parking right next to the field, making it easy to get in and out. Having the student center below the home side is also great because it means you can use actual bathrooms inside the building, instead of port-a-johns like at many stadiums at this level.
The only downside is that if you do sit on the visiting side – which you might be if you are reading this article – you have to walk across to the other side for concessions and bathrooms. However, since seating is open, you are welcome to sit on either side.
Return on Investment 5
I would absolutely recommend attending a Carthage football game. Admission is only $10, and the comfortable seats, free parking, and low-cost, high-variety concessions make it well worth the trip. The mascot is also great, and I really loved the color scheme as well.
Extras 4
There is a full team gear store – not just a stand – inside the student center, which you are welcome to visit before or during the game. The staff provides paper armbands as your ticket, so you can go in and out of the building at will during the game.
Because the stadium is small, you can also get really close to the action and clearly hear the sounds of the game.
Final Thoughts
Even if you are not in the area, I think you should make a trip to Carthage College to see a Firebirds football game. While Kenosha may not be seen as a premium college football destination, Art Keller Field is a beautiful hidden gem in the D3 football scene.
