The Monk Botanical Gardens in Wausau will take on the look of the wild west, Thursday and Saturday, August 24-26, as the organization conducts its annual fund raising gala, family fun day, and a new event targeted at young professionals.
“This will be our second community celebration to raise funds for needed improvements at the Gardens,” said Kris Weirauch, president of the Gardens’ board of directors. “Last year our ‘Medieval Adventure’ event raised enough to help us fund much needed operational and staff needs. The turnout and support were awesome, and we’re hoping for a similar response from the community this year.”
A trio of events.
On Thursday night, August 24, “Wild Wild West” will be the theme of an adults-only chuck wagon dinner, complete with beverages, dancing and music by the Stevens Point-based group “Dig Deep,” from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will take place in the Garden’s new Kitchen Pavilion. Western attire is appropriate but not required. A king-sized raffle will also take place.
Then on Saturday, August 26, the community is invited out for a family-oriented Western Jamboree at the Gardens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Western activities and demonstrations—including square dancing, games to play, ponies to pet, quilting, living in the 1850s, Trading Post, reading in the Tree House, and much more—will be featured.
The Marathon County Historical Society will have activities and display materials depicting the mid- to late-1800s in Marathon County. Other partners include the Marathon County Public Library, the Pine Tree Quilters Guild, and Stable Hands. Vendors at the Trading Post include—but not limited to—Plants by Joan, Butlers Bambles, You’ll See, Urban Street Bistro, Milky Way Coffee Company, and Wish Steak Truck.
On Saturday night, August 26, from 7 to 10:30 p.m., the festivities will close with the Monarch Saloon for the 21 and older crowd. The event will feature music by the Alabama-based group “Steel City Jug Slammers,” delicious eats available from the SmokeHouse Barbeque food truck, dancing, beverages, adult scavenger hunt through the Gardens, and western yard games like horseshoes and washer toss.
Additional information regarding the Monarch Saloon is available on Facebook by searching for the Facebook Event titled “Monarch Saloon” on August 26.
“Throughout these three days, the Gardens will be transformed into a Western Village, and people of all ages will be able to experience what life was like back then,” said Weirauch. “We think this is the first Wild West event of this kind to be held in Wausau for quite some time.”

Ticket information.
Tickets for the adults-only dinner are $60 and must be purchased in advance at www.monkgardens.org or www.eventbrite.com.
Tickets for the Monarch Saloon are $15 and can also be purchased at the above online sites or at the gate.
Tickets for the jamboree are $5 for adults, $3 for children (3 and under admitted free) and will be available at the gate.
Sponsors as of July 20 include WSAW-News Channel 7, Ruder Ware, Evolutions in Design, and Nueske’s.
For more information, inquire at [email protected] or call 715-261-6309.
About the Monk Botanical Gardens

The Monk Botanical Gardens occupy 21 acres on the West Side of Wausau, Wisconsin, at 1800 N. First Ave. They are named for the family of the late Robert W. Monk, who donated the land for development of an outstanding public garden. Officially incorporated as a nonprofit institution in 2003, the Monk Botanical Gardens seeks to promote understanding of the aesthetic, economic, and ecological role of plants. A board of directors oversees the development and management of the Gardens. Each year, the Gardens draw thousands from the community, state, and around the country to explore the gardens, enjoy events, and participate in educational programs.