Kayak weekend | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
Wausau area events for the week of Aug. 13-20, 2025
Kayak weekend: Midwest Freestyle Championships and freestyle clinic
I’ve officially dubbed this weekend Kayak Weekend. That’s because two major events are going on at Whitewater Park downtown. The first is a freestyle clinic on Thursday and Friday. For $175, you will get a three-hour lesson on both days on the skills of whitewater kayaking. Then on Saturday and Sunday, top kayakers from around the region will compete in the Midwest Freestyle Championships. The $50 entry fee gives kayakers access to everything from beginner to expert levels of competition plus two practice days. But you can also just show up and watching, which is pretty cool to do right in downtown Wausau. Check out the event page for those interesting in competing.
Athens “Worlds Fair”
Thurs-Sun, Aug. 14-17: Did you know there is a world’s fair right to the northwest of us in little ole Athens? Head up to Athens Memorial Park for some good old-fashioned fair fun with horse shows of various kinds, a fair queen coronation, old-timers band, clothing revue, brass band, quilt show and so much more. Four days of fun and, hey, you’re not far away from Stoney Acres and their pizza nights either. Just saying. See the full schedule of events at the event page.
Big Bull Falls Blues Fest
Fri-Sat, Aug. 15-16: This is one of Wausau Events’ longest-running events and it’s easy to see why - the event packs two days of blues bands all under one big tent in Wausau’s Fern Island and Oak Island parks. $65 for the weekend (including fees) and $5 for Friday only. VIP tickets available. See the event page for full details. Below is the lineup:
Friday: Big Al and the Blues Howlers (5 pm); Jay Stulo and the Mighty Aces (7 pm); The Jimmys (9 pm).
Saturday: The Jay Edward Band (1 pm); Joanna Conner (3 pm); The Texas Guitar Summit (5 pm); Chris Cain (7 pm); Victor Wainwright and the Train (9 pm).
Jazz on the River: Take That Back
Sunday, Aug. 17: What do you get when you combine two veteran jazz musicians who put together their tenor sax and bass clarinet (or alto sax) for some roaring jazz sessions? Take That Back is a Chippewa Valley/Twin Cities act that combines jazz standards and original music with the skill of two veteran jazz band leaders. Come check them out in the Jazz on the River series at Kickbusch Park, which is a great way to spend a Sunday. (Plus, it’s the last in the series!) Free. Food trucks available. 5 pm. Rain location is Malarkey’s Pub. Bring your own chair or blanket. Check out the event page for details.
Storytime at Alexander Airport Park
Monday, Aug. 18: Alexander Airport Park is the gem of the Southeast Side neighborhood, especially now with those brand-new pickleball courts. It’s also full of nice playground equipment, and now is the site of a children’s story time session. Bring your children aged 6 and under, and they’ll read books, sing songs and more during this half-hour session. Plus, kids can enjoy the playground afterward. 10 am. See the event page for more.
Jon Peck and the Bad Dogs
Friday, Aug. 15: Jon Peck is starting to really make a name for himself around here as a blues guitarist (and I’m not just saying that because I played with him at the blues jam back at Whitewater Music Hall). Jon Peck and the Bad Dogs is reminiscent of that 60s scene of blues rock that’s just a joy to listen to. There’s even video of Peck playing with Wisconsin blues legend Howard “Guitar” Luedtke (all you old Scott Street Steak and Pub fans from back in the day especially know what I mean). Come check out Peck and the boys at Intermission Bar this Friday. 9 pm. See the event page for more.
Noah Hittner
Sunday, Aug. 17: Noah Hittner is in that category of musician that is becoming more common these days - the one-man band. The Madison-based musician uses live-looping to achieve the sound of a full band all by himself. The result is a singer-songwriter style of acoustic music with an interesting twist of effects added that bring the songs to life. Hittner’s music will be a great way to spend a chill Sunday afternoon at The Garage. 1 pm. Check out the event page for more.
In brief
Concerts on the Square: Pacific Coast Highway, 6 pm Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the 400 Block; Cool Hat 9 pm Friday, Aug. 15 at The Mill Yard; Scott Kirby, 5 pm Friday, Aug. 15 at Stoney Acres Farm; String Cheese Band 5 pm Friday, Aug. 15 at the Bull Falls Brewing Company’s Biergarten.