Downtown Skate Jam
Sunday, 8/29 | Downtown Wausau
Even if you’re too old to risk breaking your face on a skateboard, watching others is really fun. And if you’re one of those folks who enjoys doing all those cool tricks? Either way, downtown Wausau will be the place to be Sunday. Sign up to complete in a game of SKATE, and all proceeds from the event will go toward the new skatepark at Oak Island. $10 and register at the Central Board Skate Shop or come down to watch and cheer on the competitors. central-boardshop.com
Remember Me Thursday
Thursday, 8/26 | Humane Society of Marathon County, Wausau
I love dogs, and I know I am not alone in the Wausau area. This event, called Remember Me Thursday, is a candlelight vigil to raise awareness of all the shelter dogs that need someone to love them. The Humane Society will provide the candles and you can bring your pet tags of your lost doggie to place on the memorial. Help honor your late loyal companion and help raise awareness of all the dogs that still need adopting. 7:45 pm. catsndogs.org
Central Wisconsin Book Festival
Thurs.-Sat. 9/26-28 | Wausau, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids
If you love books, this weekend is basically your Super Bowl. The Central Wisconsin Book Festival has become a staple of the Wausau area. Hosted by the Marathon County Public Library, the festival includes book readings, author appearances, and events that go beyond the library to three different cities: Wausau, Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids. The festivities begin on Thursday, and they continue through Saturday. See https://mcpl.us/cwbf/ for a complete list of events.
Old-fashioned Harvest Festival
Sunday, 8/29 | Willow Springs Garden, Maine
It’s decorative gourd season, and that means that there are plenty of corn mazes, harvest fests and other fall festivities. Willow Springs Garden will host its own Harvest Fest this Sunday, and it’s full of fun for the kids and adults alike, including a craft section, bounce house, face painting, and live music. There will be a breakfast from 8-11 am, a charcoal chicken dinner plus wagon rides plus old-fashioned oat threshing. And of course, you can’t miss the corn maze, which will be open for the fest. 9 am-6 pm. willowspringsgardens.com
Dig Deep
Thursday 8/26 | Sconni’s, Schofield
Patio season is almost over! And this patio show will be a good one. Dig Deep, as I’ve mentioned many times before, is not your typical bluegrass band. They look like some hard-rocking metal guys, and they move around the stage like them too. But these guys are bluegrass, through and through, and they’re always worth a listen. So there’s Dig Deep at 5 pm, but later you can test your strength with a stein hoisting competition. Sounds easy – until you’ve held that stein until your arm feels like it’s going to fall off! Happy hour 2-5 pm, Dig Deep 5 pm. sconnis.com
Comic Book Roadshow
Thursday, 8/26 | Holiday Inn and Suites, Rothschild
A number of years ago one enthusiastic resident held a sci-fi/comic book convention, and it was a lot of fun. While that event is gone, this roadshow is coming to town and it looks like a blast. But unlike most shows, this is a little different – they actually buy your comics, sports cards and other collectibles. Bring in your pre-1980 comics, pre-1970 cards and comic-related toys (apparently they also take “some” post-1980 comics), and they’ll give you a free appraisal. Then you might be able to sell to them if you want. 10 am-6 pm. comicbookroadshow.com.
Allen Brothers
Friday 8/27 | The Garage, Rib Mountain
The Allen Brothers are one of the top cover bands in the central Wisconsin area. Named for brothers Bob and Brandon Allen, who are joined by their bass player Wade Kaiser, they really know how to get a crowd going and have a lot of fun. And as The Garage has started to work its way up the charts as a premier music venue, this ought to make one fun show! 7 pm. thegaragewausau.com
