WAUSAU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Clarke Island at 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 15 for a new kayak launch on the Wisconsin River. The launch is located at Hadley’s Portage at the Wausau Dam and is an important part of the Great Pinery Heritage Waterway.

“The Great Pinery Heritage Waterway is a one-of-a-kind water trail that tells the stories of the people and events along the Wisconsin River from ancient times to the mid-twentieth century,” said Bill Bertram, President of the Wausau and Marathon County Park and Recreation Foundation. “Early on, the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA) recognized that the heart of the trail was centered on Clarke Island, the birthplace of Wausau. An integral part of the water trail was the creation of a safe portage around the Wisconsin Public Service Dam.”

The launch was added through a partnership with the NPS-RTCA and through grants and donations by the Hadley Family Fund and the Kiwanis Club of Wausau.

The ribbon cutting will be followed at 4 p.m. by a Member Appreciation Picnic hosted by the Chamber. This will be a unique opportunity for members to build their personal and professional networks at a special Fun@5 event 

Members who attend this complimentary event will enjoy live music by SAGE and a cookout featuring food and desserts from various Chamber members, including CHAR Grillhouse, Culver’s of Wausau, Festival Foods – Wausau, Kreger’s Bakery, Marathon Cheese Corp, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats, Sam’s Club – Wausau #6535 and Sugar n’ Spice Cheesecakes & Coffee LLC. Tommy Dock Products LLC is the band sponsor, Greenfire Management Services LLC is the beverage sponsor and The Dirks Group is the tent sponsor for the event.

“This will be a great summer party and an opportunity for our members to gather on the island,” said Dave Eckmann, President/CEO of the Chamber.

This special event for the Chamber’s members will also offer an opportunity for attendees to review some of the renovation plans by The Samuels Group Inc for the Center for Business and Community Engagement at the WPS Powerhouse.

Attendees can park in a limited number of spaces at the depot and the WPS Powerhouse. Additional parking can be found in the library’s lower lot, the lots at the county buildings to the east of the Whitewater course and in the former JCPenney parking ramp. 

The Chamber’s volunteer Ambassadors, dressed distinctively in red, will help those who are uncomfortable in approaching people they don’t know. The Ambassadors are experienced in assisting others in building their network. 

There is no charge for members of the Chamber to attend this event, though registration is required. Visit WausauChamber.com to register or to learn more. Attendees must be 21 years old.