Taste N' Glow Weekend | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
Wausau events for July 8-14, 2026
It’s funny to think that 20 years ago when I attended the Balloon Rally and Rib Fest, the event was already a long-running tradition. That was in the Wausau Downtown Airport days; now it’s Taste N’ Glow and out in the town of Stettin. But we also have an exciting musical from Wausau Community Theater, a unique musician doing two nights at Stoney Acres Farm, a rising Christian music star and so much more in Your Wausome Weekend Guide!
Sponsored by
Taste N’ Glow
140914 Stettin Drive | Marathon City, WI 54448
Fri.-Sat., July 10-11: The balloon rally has been a part of Wausau’s culture for decades, first as the Balloon Glow and Rib Fest at Wausau’s airport, and for the past five years as Taste N’ Glow in the town of Stettin. This huge event is back for another year in the wide-open fields north of town. Think beautiful balloon displays, lumberjack shows, live music, local food, kids activities, a car show and more at this great annual show. $10 per day, $15 for the weekend, children 11 and under enter free. 11 am-11 pm Friday, 6 am-11 pm Saturday. See the full schedule at the event page.
COTS: Johnny and the MoTones
The 400 Block
Wednesday, July 8: Hopefully the Wednesday weather curse won’t show up again today, because this is one of the classic lineups. Johnny and the MoTones features long-time local saxophonist John Altenburgh, a quiet recording giant in the jazz scene, joined by Mitch Viegut of famed 80s band Airkraft, and a host of great musicians that always knock it out of the park on the 400 Block stage. And if the schedule is to be believed, it looks like country singer-guitarist Jerry Schmitt will be joining! 6-8 pm. Rain location is the Rothschild Pavilion. See the event page for more details.
Lojo Russo
Stoney Acres Farm
Fri.-Sat., July 10-11: It’s rare to see back-to-back nights for a musician at Stoney Acres Farm during its pizza nights, but that’s exactly what is happening this weekend. If you give Lojo Russo a listen, you’ll get a sense of why. This bluesy/folksy musician has a great songwriting style and a voice to match. She has a national tour on her schedule. And she’ll play rhythm and roots on Friday, and acoustic funk on Saturday. With a little wood-fired pizza from Stoney Acres, you can’t go wrong. 5 pm. See the event page for more.
Movie in the Park: Bad Guys 2
The 400 Block
Thursday, July 9: The 400 Block is obviously great for concerts, but there is another summer use that’s also fun — watching movies! Kids love this event on the grounds of downtown Wausau’s centerpiece park, with a big inflatable screen and a great selection of movies. This week’s movie is Bad Guys 2, in which a group of misfit animals team up for one last heist. Free, bring your blankets, chairs and treats, and/or stop by downtown businesses for carryout. 7 pm. See the event page for more.
TikiToberfest: Lederhosen on the Beach
Tiki Beach Bar & Grill
Sunday, July 12: Tiki Beach Bar & Grill is that place you go to for a little quick escape, where you can pretend you’re somewhere tropical. (And with the heat lately, it’s not hard!). But this event is especially interesting — Lederhosen on the Beach is basically Oktoberfest in July, with beer, people dressed in costume (or sandals, either is cool) and enjoy the music of the ever-popular Copper Box, who we haven’t seen on too many schedules this year. (Why aren’t they a mainstay of the Concerts on the Square anymore, anyway?) What else were you going to do on a Sunday? 1 pm. See the event page for more.
Leanna Crawford
Mount Olive Lutheran Church
Monday, July 13: If you’re not into Christian music, you might not have heard of Leanna Crawford, but those who are probably already have bought their tickets. And giving her music a quick listen, it’s easy to see why. This Sony Music artist has an incredible voice, and one that might even draw people who otherwise wouldn’t listen to the genre. With her debut album, Still Waters, now out in deluxe edition, fans of the genre won’t want to miss this rising star’s appearance at Mount Olive Church. 6:30 pm. See the event page for more.
Coming soon
Rock of Ages
James Veninga Theater
July 17-26: The Wausau Community Theater has been rocking it with their shows at the James Veninga Theater in the UW Center for Civic Engagement. And this latest show should be no exception. This Broadway musical is a story highlighting the glam rock era of 1987 and the story of a legendary club on its last legs, a wild rock star and an aspiring musician and a small town girls pursuing their dreams. Don’t miss this version of the high-energy, fun Tony Award-nominated musical highlighting an era that has everyone nostalgic these days. 7:30 pm Fri.-Sat., 2 pm Sunday. See the event page for more.
Sponsored by
In Brief
Cool Hat, 8 pm Wednesday, July 8 at Faraway Place
Pizza on the Patio, 6 pm Wednesday, July 8 at Willow Springs Garden
Summer at Mead: All About Mammals, 12:15 pm Thursday, July 9 at MCPL Wausau/Mead Wildlife Area
Pizza in the Orchard with Rising Phoenix, 5 pm Thursday, July 9 at Rock Ridge Orchard
Bad Habitz, 6:30 pm Thursday, July 9 at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill
Wausau Ignite Replica Jersey Giveaway, 6:35 pm Friday, July 10 at Athletic Park
Honky Tonk Highway, 7 pm Friday, July 10 at The Garage Wausau
The Foxfire Affair, 7 pm Friday, July 10 at Uncommon Pints
Morning Pull: Pastries with Prints, 9:30 am Saturday, July 11 at Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
D.B. Rouse, 9 pm Saturday, July 11 at Faraway Place
Jack Damage, 7 pm Saturday, July 11 at Homestead on 52
TJ Morrow, 7 pm Saturday, July 11 at The Garage Wausau
Knock Point, 6:30 pm Saturday, July 11 at Bull Falls Brewing Co.
The Daniel James Gang and other punk bands, 9:30 pm Saturday, July 11 at Nevermore on Third
Charlie Wiggins, 1 pm Sunday, July 12 at The Garage Wausau
Honky-tonk Sundays, noon Sunday, July 12 at Faraway Place
Story Time at the Parks: Sylvan Hill, 10 am Monday, July 13 at Sylvan Hill Park
Mondays at Monk: Yard Games & Chill, 5 pm Monday, July 13 at Monk Botanical Gardens
Pebble Art Workshop, 6:30 pm Tuesday, July 14 at Willow Springs Garden
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: