STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — Stevens Point plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, or semiquincentennial, in a big way next year.
Mayor Mike Wiza says planning for Riverfront Rendezvous 2026 began nearly two months ago. “It’s 250 years for our country. So we, literally, started planning already. Now I’m not involved, but [Parks Director Dan] Kramer and his team meet monthly to talk about the event throughout the entire year.”
Wiza says he doesn’t want to reveal everything on next year’s wish list, but says one thing visitors can expect is some bigger names for mainstage entertainment. “We’re really looking to enhance the budget for the bands. I don’t know that we will get Garth Brooks or Bon Jovi, but we are hoping to scale up the entertainment a bit.”
In true Mayor Wiza tongue-in-cheek fashion, he also suggested a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party or Paul Revere’s Midnight Ride to help promote the event. “I’m going to ride on horseback to all of the neighboring communities to warn them [that] Riverfront is coming. I just have to figure out how many lanterns I’m going to bring.”
Certain aspects won’t change, like vendor and stage locations. Other details like vendor contracts, liability insurance policies, and non-musical entertainment will be worked out over the next 11 months.
Wiza credits staff with putting all that together, but also gives a nod to those who make the event their 4th of July celebration of choice. “It wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t have people willing to come out and support the vendors and the live music. [Attendees] choose Stevens Point. They could have gone to New York or Vegas, but they didn’t. That, I think, speaks volumes to the caliber of entertainment, food, and [other] things that we have.
“It’s a monumental effort by our staff,” added Wiza.
Other topics Wiza discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- Riverfront Rendezvous wrap and preview for next year
6:30- Events for the next week
10:50- More on the proposal to move City Hall
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