2026 Central Wisconsin Book Festival draws big crowds in Wausau, Stevens Point

More than 700 people turned out to the Central Wisconsin Book Festival last week, marking a successful 10th year for the annual literary gathering. New this year was a launch party on Sept. 23 at the Wausau Club, which featured readings from over 25 local poets (the youngest aged 16). This party drew a crowd of more than 140 passionate readers.

Another highlight was an author event at Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum with birder, storyteller and educator Dexter Patterson, who discussed his guidebook, “Birds of the Great Lakes.”

“When the night first began, the museum had 36 chairs set out,” said Haley Bunkelman, Marathon County Public Library’s marketing specialist. “Twenty minutes before the event began, we knew that those would not be enough! Museum and festival organizers pulled out more and more seating until over 80 people had crowded around Dexter to hear about his strategies to make birding more inclusive, accessible and — above all — fun.”

This year’s festival consists of 13 author events, in addition to workshops, the launch party, a poetry open mic and a local author’s book fair.

“From cooking, to gardening, to birding and writing, so many of our best-attended events featured authors who were focused on both preserving tradition and growing their practices,” Bunkelman said. “Closing our 10th chapter on the Central Wisconsin Book Festival, their ideas and turnouts were inspiring.”