The 28th annual Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10, offers fun for all ages during north central Wisconsin’s biggest art extravaganza, spanning both sides of the Wisconsin River.

This weekend favorite overflows with art throughout four admission-free locations – Art in the Park in Marathon Park, the opening of “Birds in Art” at the Woodson Art Museum, the Festival of Arts, and the Center for the Visual Arts galleries, both in downtown Wausau.

The weekend art extravaganza offers distinct, complementary experiences, including the “Birds in Art” 42nd annual opening festivities and Artists in Action on Saturday morning at the Woodson Art Museum; artwork, music, and food at the Festival of Arts (on Third Street and the 400 Block); artwork at the CVA, 427 N. Fourth St., and its gift shop in the Third Street Lifestyle Center; and an array of artisans’ handcrafted work at Art in the Park at Marathon Park. Children’s art activities, food, and entertainment abound. All events are admission free and are linked by complimentary, handicapped-accessible, shuttle bus service.

Art in the Park brings together more than 120 exhibitors in the East Gate Hall and Historic Exhibition Building in Marathon Park on Stewart Avenue near 17th Avenue, on Wausau’s west side. Affordable fine arts and handcrafted items for gifts, pets, children, home, and garden include pottery, wearable art, paintings, photography, and more at this lively venue. A children’s art and craft area offers free activities. Assorted food and beverage selections are available for purchase from local non-profit groups and businesses; ATM available. Free admission. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Festival of Arts, on Third Street and the 400 Block, offers for purchase work by over 120 juried artists representing a variety of mediums. The festive browse-and-buy strolling is enhanced by live music on two stages, children’s art activities, entertainment on the Family Stage, a Young Collector Market, a scholarship silent auction to benefit area art students, and food stands operated by local non-profit organizations. Free admission. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Center for Visual Arts, 427 N. Fourth St., features the Wisconsin Regional Artists Association (WRAA) State Art Exhibit in the Caroline S. Mark Gallery and Loft Gallery. The exhibit features over 100 State Award winning artists who exhibited with their local Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) chapters held throughout the state of Wisconsin. Tour the newly renovated, historic building, pottery studio, new Vault Gallery, and studio room. The CVA Gift Shop, located in the Third Street Lifestyle Center, features hand-crafted work by local and regional artists. Free admission. Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

“Birds in Art” opening weekend festivities at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum feature opportunities Saturday morning to meet more than 60 artists who flock to the Museum from throughout the world for the opening of this internationally renowned exhibition. Early birds who visit the Museum on Saturday, Sept. 9, 9 a.m.-Noon, can meet more these artists in the galleries and sculpture garden where they will talk with visitors and sign catalogues and posters. Browse galleries to see fresh artistic takes on birds by some of the world’s most talented artists in an array of mediums, portraying unexpected perspectives, amusing poses, and majestic bearing. This 42nd annual “Birds in Art” exhibition presents paintings, graphics, and sculptures created by more than 100 artists who bring a global perspective to their passion for birds. Always free admission. Special opening-weekend hours: Saturday, Sept. 9, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. “Birds in Art” remains on view through Nov. 26.

Free, handicapped-accessible shuttle buses connecting all four locations run every 15-20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from designated locations: downtown at the SE corner of the 400 Block at Fourth and Jefferson streets and at Third and Franklin streets, at Marathon Park near East Gate Hall, and at the Woodson Art Museum on Twelfth Street, near the Museum’s south parking lot.