Log Jam weekend | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
Wausau area events for Aug. 12-18, 2026
Log Jam is one of those events that is unique to this area - it gives you a chance to pretend it’s the 1800s or earlier. Andy Z and the Spankin Monkees brings its outstanding blues, rock and rockabilly style to Cheeks Bar and Grill. And Monk Gardens is about to throw one heck of a garden party. And that’s only some of the events in Your Wausome Weekend Guide. Enjoy!
Sponsored by
Log Jam
River Park, Mosinee
Fri-Sun., Aug. 14-16: We can’t actually go back in time and see how people lived, but events such as Log Jam can give us a rough idea. This annual event is a fun, pioneer-themed festival with people re-enacting a camp with fur tanners, blacksmiths, clothing makers and more. But this event also combines cornhole tournaments, food and drinks, magic shows, log-rolling competitions and live music from Jerry Schmitt (6 pm Friday), Hand-picked Bluegrass (1:30 pm Saturday), The Foragers (6 pm Saturday) and The Balsam Road Ramblers (noon, Sunday). See the event page for the full schedule of events.
Andy Z and the Spankin’ Monkees
Cheeks Bar and Grill
Sunday, Aug. 16: I love a good blues act as much as the next guy, but Andy Z and the Spankin’ Monkees are a cut above. Not only do they have the blues down pat, but they’re the Hodag Pick-off Winners of the Central Wisconsin competition - back in 2002. That gives you the idea of the longevity of this blues-rock band and they’re bring those chops to Cheeks, which has been turning itself into a real blues jam house as of late. If you love the blues you won’t want to miss this one. Held on the patio, weather permitting, bring your own lawn chair. 1-4 pm. See the event page for more.
Booze, Blends & Botany
Monk Botanical Gardens
Thursday, Aug. 13: OK, so booze and botany wouldn’t probably be your first choice of words to associate with each other, but I do always love a good example of alliteration. So let’s go with it. Because this is like a garden party but way more fun. Enjoy unique tasting stations run by some of the Wausau area’s best local expoerts in food and drink, with pairings to delight. All in the lovely confines of the Monk Botanical Gardens, which if you haven’t been in awhile, has really grown. 5 pm. $50. See the event page for tickets and more information. (They made it surprisingly hard to find, but click the general “tickets” button at the top of the page.)
Brews and Retro Game Night - A SideQuest
Sawmill Brewing Company
Friday, Aug. 14: Some of the gaming/nerd conventions around these parts (I can say nerd, I am one) figured out a good way to drive up enthusiasm for their events. This is a warm-up event for LincCon, coming in September in Merrill. Play retro video games in the Sawmill Brewing Company, while enjoying some of the brewery’s own beer or the many others they keep on tap. Sawmill is unique in that it’s built in an old DNR ranger station, so it’s just a cool spot to hang. Add some video games? I’m in. 6 pm. See the event page for more.
NONPOINT wsg: Spineshank & Hed PE
Q&Z Expo Center
Friday, Aug. 14: Upon throwing on one of NONPOINT’s songs, Bullet with a Name, I immediately thought about Rage Against The Machine. High-speed metal guitar riffs with a rapid-fire vocals sung over the top? Check. A lead singer with dreadlocks who, in this black and white video, definitely reminds you of Rage’s Zach de la Rocha? Check. And yet this band has an identity of its own, blending newer metal sensibilities with the Rage aesthetic that creates a sound you can’t help but nod your head to. This hardcore show will be fun at the Q&Z Expo Center, with NONPOINT joined by Spineshank and Hed PE. 7 pm. Tickets start at $39.19. See the event page for more.
Keith Daniel’s psycho swamp stomp band & Rev. Meantooth
Tiki Beach Bar and Grill
Saturday, Aug. 15: I’m well familiar with Rev. Meantooth, the side project of the lead singer of Wausau’s own 20 Watt Tombstone. The grungy, crunchy ZZ Top-style riffs are some of my favorites to listen to. So the good reverend joining a bill with Keith Daniel’s Psycho Swamp Stomp Band makes a lot of sense. But Daniel’s show goes beyond that swampy, gritty blues sound - his shows are legendary for their visual appeal. “Band” is a bit of a misnomer because it’s a one-man show, but don’t let that fool you. Armed with a skull mask and some funky lighting, this is a show at Tiki Beach Bar and Grill that you shouldn’t miss. 5 pm. See the event page for more.
An Old-Fashioned Downtown Tour
Downtown Wausau
Friday, Aug. 14: The Marathon County Historical Center really found gold with this Old-Fashioned Downtown Tour. Grab an old-fashioned (or a non-alcoholic drink) and learn about the history of some of downtown’s buildings including Juliette, the old Hotel Wausau and more. The stories really make these tours, and it’s even more fun with a drink in hand. 6 pm. 21+ only. $37.22. Check out the event page for more.
Sponsored by
In Brief
Dinosaur Dimensions, 10 am Wednesday, Aug. 12 at MCPL Wausau
Concerts on the Square: That 90’s Band, 6 pm Wednesday, Aug. 12 at the 400 Block
Dinner in the Vineyard, 6 pm Wednesday, Aug. 12 at Willow Springs Garden
Music Bingo in the Beer Garden, 6 pm Wednesday, Aug. 12 at Uncommon Pints
Summer at Mead: Wildflowers & Native Plants, 12:15 pm Thursday, Aug. 13 at MCPL Wausau
Pizza in the Orchard with Grand Union, 5 pm Thursday, Aug. 13 at Rock Ridge Orchard
Movie in the Park: Zootopia 2, 7 pm Thursday, Aug. 13 at The 400 Block
Dinner in the Vineyard, 6 pm Thursday, Aug. 13 at Willow Springs Garden
Tiki Beach Thursday Night Concert Series: Rising Phoenix, 6 pm Thursday, Aug. 13 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill
Open Mic w/ Caleb Delaney, 8 pm Thursday, Aug. 13 at Faraway Place
Karma Bloody Karma and more, 9:30 pm Friday, Aug. 14 at Nevermore on Third
Joe.G, 9 pm Friday, Aug. 14 at Intermission Bar
Mattea Joy at Pizza on the Farm, 5 pm Friday, Aug. 14 at Stoney Acres Farm
Members Only Pizza Night, 5:30 pm Friday, Aug. 14 at Monk Botanical Gardens
Underground S&L Productions, Friday, Aug. 14 through Saturday, August 15 at The Garage Wausau
Marathon County Celebrates America’s 250th, 11 am-3 pm Saturday, Aug. 15 at the Yawkey House Gardens
Book Sale: Friends Members Only, 9:30 am Saturday, Aug. 15 at MCPL Wausau
The Old Lady Pub Crawl, Saturday, Aug. 15 at Nevermore on Third
Fattenin Frogs at Pizza on the Farm, 5 pm Saturday, Aug. 15 at Stoney Acres Farm
BINGO at The Round Barn, 11:30 am Sunday, Aug. 16 at Willow Springs Garden
Zine Making, 9:30 am Monday, Aug. 17 at MCPL Wausau
Pizza in the Gardens with Polito’s, 5:30 pm Monday, Aug. 17 at Monk Botanical Gardens
Bat Talk & Night Walk, 7 pm Monday, Aug. 17 at MCPL Wausau
Concert Off the Square: Sonic Circus, 6 pm Tuesday, Aug. 18 at Kennedy Park in Weston
Thanks for reading The Wausonian! If you haven’t subscribed yet, check out the free and paid options below to help support local journalism covering Wausau news: