A Dining on the Street event that occurred in 2020, it's inaugural year. (Photo courtesy of the Wausau River District)
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — An event created to help local downtown businesses during the pandemic is continuing into 2021.
In 2020 the Wausau River District launched Dining on the Street as a way to help local restaurants have more business during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. By creating a new and safe way to enjoy local restaurants, the event became a popular weekly tradition. So popular that the event is returning for 2021 as pandemic concerns ease with the widespread availability of vaccines.
As Dining in the Street returns this summer, the event will be expanded to two days a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The first night will be Wednesday, June 9th, and Wausau River District Executive Director Blake Opal Wahoske says it’s a great way to get people back downtown if they haven’t been recently. “You know it’s what it used to be and then some more. And I think Dining on the Street is part of that.
“It’s an event that was birthed out of the pandemic but the people love it so much that we’re able to return it this year. And now it’s not only on Wednesdays but we also have it on Saturday nights from 5 to 7 p.m.”.
Dining on the Street is in conjunction with Concerts on the Square and Wausau Events on Wednesday nights. For Saturday evening’s Opal Wahoske says local musicians and artists will play outside to have the feel of a Concert on the Square.
“We’re also able to bring in our local musicians on the night that concerts aren’t happening and also our visual artists. Two demographics that were really kind of hit by the pandemic hard last year. So we find it really important for us to give them a platform,”.
Eight different downtown restaurants will be participating in Dining on the Street this year, including two restaurants that are right off of Third Street to expand the space of the event. Restaurants include Back When Cafe, Benevenuto’s, Ciao, Jalapeno’s Mexican Restaurante & Bar, Lemongrass Asian Fusion, Mint Cafe, Politio’s, and Townies Grill.
For those who want to participate in Dining on the Street this year, Opal Wahoske has one main recommendation. “It was so successful last year that people weren’t making reservations. They weren’t able to sit outside so we highly encourage folks if you want to take part in Dining on the Street to contact the restaurants directly. Make reservations during that time to ensure you do get a table outside,”.
Dining on the Street will be on Wednesdays and Saturdays from June 9th through September 15th. On both Wednesdays and Saturdays the event will run from 5 to 9 p.m. More information on the event can be found at the Wausau River District website.
Dining on the Street kicks off the summer season for the Wausau River District, which has several other events planned for the summer. These include Downtown Business Employee Appreciation Week and Sidewalk Sales in conjunction with Chalk Fest.
Comments