Here are five Wausau events to check out this weekend

Shadows of the War: Ukraine in Monochrome 

Opening 8/24 | Just Right Bakery, Wausau 

A number of Ukrainians have made their way to Wausau since Russian invaded Ukraine in 2021. That includes Anastasiia and Anton Chystiukhin who came here from Kharkiv and started Just Right Bakery. Now, they’re using that bakery to showcase another Ukrainian, an artist. The bakery will be hosting a gallery from Julia Ivanisova. Ivanisova’s exhibit, called Shadows of War: Ukraine in Monochrome, which is a series of black and white drawings detailing the harsh realities of the War. Just Right will host an opening event on Saturday from 3-6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm. where you can meet the artist, but will display the artwork through the end of September. Proceeds from sale of postcards of Ivanisova’s work and 50% of bakery sales will go to support Ukrainian orphans and defenders of their hometown, Kkarkiv. See Just Right Bakery on Facebook for more details. 

Weekly free water ski show 

Tuesday 8/27 | Bluegill Bay Park, Rib Mountain 

They’ve been going all summer, but if you haven’t had a chance yet, these free waterski shows are an excellent way to spend a summer evening. Now at a new location at Bluegill Bay Park after performing for years at D.C. Everest Park, the Central Wisconsin Water Walkers are ready to present you with a solid performance that will leave you entertained. You’ll have a blast watching the Water Walkers carve up the waves of Lake Wausau with a season theme of “Skierella.” 6:30 pm. Free. Central Wisconsin Water Walkers on Facebook for more details. 

Big Bull Falls Grand Fondo 

Saturday 8/24 | Rib Mountain

Do you like to ride your bike really far? The Wausau Wheelers have got an event for you! The Big Bull Fas Grand Fondo isn’t a race, the organizers explain, but just a way to challenge yourself to ride your bicycle a really long distance. The Grand Fondo features three rides ranging from 35 miles to 71 miles to the full distance of 100 miles. The ride name is derived from the Italian term Gran Fondo, which means essentially “big ride.” The ride is self-supported outside of rest stops and sag wagon service (ie the trucks that pick you up when you’re too tired to continue or something happens to your bike). $75. Start times vary depending on race length. wausauwheelers.org for more details or to sign up.  

CANCELED: Bill Jamerson’s Musical Tribute to the CCC 

Saturday 8/24 | Rib Mountain Amphitheatre, Rib Mountain 

City Pages learned that, due to illness, this event had to be canceled. The Friends of Rib Mountain in a Facebook post say they are working on rescheduling it.

The Civilian Conservation Corps is something you come across if you read a lot of history, or if you work as a reporter covering municipal government. The CCC, created during the Great Depression by President Roosevelt to help put people to work, provided a lot of stone work you’ll see today around city parks. That said, I never would have envisioned a musical program dedicated to the CCC, but here we are! Bill Jamerson provides this 90-minute musical tribute at the lovely Rib Mountain amphitheater. 6 pm. Free, but a state park pass is required for your vehicle to enter. ribmountain.org

Movie Under the Stars 

Friday, 8/23 | Friendship Park, Kronenwetter 

Wausau isn’t the only municipality hosting movie nights in the outdoors. Kronenwetter has been doing so as well, and Friday is another chance to try this out! This one will be held at Friendship Park and better get your Golden ticket and your sweet tooth ready, because this one features Wonka as the night’s entertainment. Based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a book by Roald Dahl, this 2023 adaptation stars Timothee Chalomet, Hugh Grant and Rowan Atkinson, among others. The story of a poor boy who wins one of five tickets to tour the chocolate factory of Willie Wonka is a classic, and now’s your chance to enjoy this film version out under the stars. Plus, you’ll get a chocolate bar that might actually have a golden ticket, which nets you a prize. (Not a chance to visit the chocolate factory though.) Movie starts at dusk, around 8:45 pm, and they suggest arriving around 6:30 pm to secure a good seat. https://www.kronenwetter.org/