Every Thursday at Whitewater Cinemas, the lobby’s arcade is packed. Groups discuss the differences between the newer and older pinball machines. Others stand by the Jurassic Park pinball machine, watching a top player’s score rapidly rise. Experienced players teach newcomers the basics of pinball.
This small, weekly pinball tournament has grown into a regular social event for students, families and residents. The pinball machines have created a space that puts competition and community right beside each other.
The Chicago-based company, Pinball Capital, recently expanded into Whitewater in June 2025. Pinball Capital owner Francis Wisniewski is a Fort Atkinson resident who needed space for his pinball machines while also generating revenue. His existing connection with Whitewater Cinemas owner Jacob Gildemeister resulted in an agreement to place the machines in the lobby.
A common sentiment among Whitewater residents is the feeling that the city lacks social events. The pinball machines and the tournaments provide an opportunity for the community to leave their homes and to interact with one another.
“People sometimes talk about not having a ton of stuff to do,” Wisniewski said. “Here’s a chance to really go out and meet other people — many of us that have similar interests. It’s a very fun social activity. Pinball is perfect. You can do it by yourself or you can go and do it in a group. And you can do both.”
For Gildemeister, the machines fill the social gap in the Whitewater community by creating an activity not revolving around drinking.
“I am a very big advocate of something else to do in Whitewater that’s not all you can drink,” Gildemeister said. “Sometimes you’re just looking for something else that’s fun and entertaining, and [pinball] provides that. It’s cheap. It’s affordable. Families can do it. College kids can do it. Adults can do it.”
The arcade features 14 pinball machines of differing themes ranging from Foo Fighters to Avengers. Some tournament participants are ranked in the International Flipper Pinball Association’s top 500 players globally. The variety of machines and skill level of players would make it seem like only the most experienced pinball players are welcome. However, instead the tournaments provide a welcoming environment.
“People hear tournaments and they think it’s hardcore, just competitive. Here it’s not,” tournament player David Slaymaker said. “There are tournaments like that. But most of the local tournaments, you’re just hanging out and having a good time. And you’re playing pinball with a purpose. You’ve got a goal. Even if you do bad, you’re still having a good time.”
The welcoming nature of the tournament’s community changed the participant makeup. Families and first-time players regularly compete against experienced players, turning an intimidating competition into a place to learn the game together.
“My son is pretty talented and gets things really quick,” tournament participant Josh Nast said. “We’ve struggled with him finding something he’s not immediately good at and just giving up immediately because he’s so used to just being able to grasp it right away. And pinball, he came in and he wasn’t very good. He just worked at it over and over and over again. I remember the first time he made the finals. We were just all so excited. His grandpa was here, my father-in-law, as well as my wife. We were all just so psyched and ran home to tell Grandma. … It was just super cool for everyone.”
Neighbors, friends, and classmates gather around the machines every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Whitewater Cinemas, a space where community comes first and games second.
