The backdrop of the Wausau Center Mall is changing this summer, but not the sky above Third Street in downtown Wausau. The colorful canopy of umbrellas is returning on Wednesday, June 9th (weather pending) and just in time to celebrate the return of outdoor events and the revitalization of the downtown.
Third Street will be closed most of Wednesday while city crews remove the lights and install the popular umbrella display between Washington and Jefferson Streets. They’ll be done with the installation by 4 p.m. when restaurants start setting up for outdoor Dining on the Street which starts at 5 p.m. Downtown Wausau restaurant guests will be the first to enjoy the over 260 floating umbrellas this spring.
Dining in the Street Series on Third Street in Downtown Wausau
Dining on the Street is a cooperative venture between the Wausau River District, Compass Properties, the City of Wausau and participating downtown restaurants. As part of the summer event series, Dining on the Street allows restaurants to gain dining space on the sidewalks and street around storefronts. It also features local musicians on evenings when Concerts on the Square are not taking place on the 400 Block.
The popular seasonal feature first debuted in 2015 after Mark Craig of Compass Properties was inspired by the colorful floating umbrellas that cover the streets of Agueda, Portugal during its annual Agueda art festival. “It seemed like a great way to highlight our unique city too,” Craig said. “When the umbrellas go up, the community knows that exciting things are happening and downtown Wausau is the place to be for shopping, dining and hanging out with friends and family.” Umbrellas remain over Third Street in Wausau until it’s time to take them down in the fall.
Restaurants and stores located around the Wausau Center Mall will remain open during demolition. Downtown business owners have plans to draw people in with special offers and events over the summer months. The Concerts on the Square series starts Wednesdays, June 16 and Wausau Events has another exciting lineup of performers.
To learn more or make reservations for Dining on the Street, visit Wausau River District.
For more information on Downtown Wausau Redevelopment, email info@downtownrefresh.com. Sign up for emails at downtownrefresh.com.