Wings Over Wausau survey finds support despite noise concerns
Council Member Carol Lukens’ survey drew criticism from some residents, but early results show most respondents support continuing the event
A deafening roar on Thursday shook houses, scared pets and brought people outside of their homes and buildings to marvel.
The sound was a U.S. Navy F/A-18 flying overhead, practicing for the upcoming Wings Over Wausau airshow. It was either angering or awe-inspiring, depending on who you talked to.
Everyone in both of those categories who lives in Wausau’s Southeast Side neighborhood got their chance to weigh in on the fighter jet’s appearance and the event overall this weekend. District 1 City Council Member Carol Lukens released a survey Saturday after getting feedback from residents.
Greetings, SES residents!
I am interested in hearing from as many as possible regarding the 2026 Wings Over Wausau event.
If willing, please complete the survey at this link:
Anyone who has lived in the Southeast Side neighborhood knows that Wings Over Wausau, like the balloon rally before it, can be a disruptive weekend to the neighborhood. Driving through the neighborhood becomes difficult, especially on the many roads in the neighborhood with boulevards. The noise is disruptive for some.
As seen from the reaction to the survey, many welcome the disruption and believe it’s worth it for a major event that brings people to Wausau and drives economic activity, as we’ll see from the survey results below.
But for others, the event can terrify pets, disrupt sleep especially for those working second or third shift, and sometimes block people into their driveways.
Lukens set out to gather feedback on the event — the first time a neighborhood representative had done so — and the survey itself became controversial.
