A week of live music & events, workshops, art sales, art camps, dancing, great food, and fun! Join us!

*NEW* This year, we are pleased to bring more ARTicipation Week events to our community in Rotary Riverview Park where the SHINE Community Sculpture is located! Exciting events unfolding near the SHINE Community Sculpture!

ARTicipation Week is made possible by a grant from the Community Vision Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region.

The Line-Up!

Sunday, Aug. 10

Opening Day Celebration!

Kids Bike Parade

  • 12 p.m. — Bike Decorating!

  • 1 p.m. — Bike Parade!

  • Waupaca City Square

  • Kids age 5-12

  • Free!

Get creative with your bike and come join our parade around City Square! Decorate your bicycle using the plastic flowers, crepe paper, balloons, pipe cleaners. yarn, license plates, rubber bands, fabric, etc. We also encourage participants to dress up for the event! Do you have a favorite costume? Butterfly wings or a cool cape? This is a fun event to dress up in a creative way to compliment your decorated bike.

Meet in the Waupaca Library's back parking lot at 12 p.m. A face painter will be there to decorate your face if you choose to do that. The Arts Board will have many additional items for you to use to decorate your bicycles. Your parents are welcomed to help you. Helmets are encouraged!!

The first 25 participants to sign-up will receive a coupon for an ice cream treat.

Parents & Guardians, click the button under the picture to complete the permission form.

Flower Bar with Barnwood Farms

  • 1 - 3 p.m.

  • Waupaca City Square

  • Free!

Barnwood Farms is proud to host this year’s flower bar for Opening Day of ARTicipation Week. Different blooms will be available to create your own unique bouquet. Who doesn’t love fresh flowers, especially those grown locally?!? Each patron is allowed one FREE bouquet.

For your personal floral needs, stop in at Barnwood Farms storefront located — N2745 County Road QQ, Waupaca, or Barnwood Farms U-Pick Flower Fields & Venue located — E290 Johnson Road, Waupaca.

Art Ferris Wheel Community Art Project

  • 1 - 3 p.m.

  • Waupaca City Square

  • Free!

Community creativity in action! All are welcome to join in painting a vibrant art banner for the Art Ferris Wheel Community Art Project—a colorful collaboration bringing our community together, one brushstroke at a time. This free public community workshop will be led by Board Member and professional artist, Davette Leonard!

Waupaca Articipation Week Opening Day activities face painting

Kids Face Painting with Rainier

  • 1 - 3 p.m.

  • Waupaca City Square

  • Free!

Smiles, sparkles, and a splash of color! Stop by for kids face painting and let your little ones become butterflies, superheroes, or anything they can imagine! Fun for all ages!

Big Sing Super Jam Session

  • 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

  • Waupaca City Square Bandstand

  • Free!

Raise your voice and feel the rhythm! Join us for the Big Sing Jam Session—an open, feel-good gathering where everyone’s invited to sing, harmonize, and jam together. No experience needed—just bring your voice!

Click the button under the picture to the left to look at what we’ll be singing and playing together. Any instruments you have are welcome!

Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra— Percussion Ensemble w/Steel Drums

  • 3-5 p.m.

  • Waupaca City Square

  • Free!

The Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra is bringing their high-energy Percussion Ensemble and Steel Drums to Waupaca.

It’s an interactive performance for all ages, so come join the fun and get down to the beat!

Monday, Aug. 11

Kids Chalking

This is a fun event!  You share your creativity by drawing, and we will provide the chalk.  Everyone is welcome!

Art Ferris Wheel Community Art Project

  • 3 -5 p.m.

  • Waupaca City Square

  • Free!

Community creativity in action! All are welcome to join in painting a vibrant art banner for the Art Ferris Wheel Community Art Project—a colorful collaboration bringing our community together, one brushstroke at a time. This free public community workshop will be led by Board Member and professional artist, Davette Leonard!

Waupaca ARTicipation Week 2025 Kids Open Mic

Kids Open Mic

Join us at the bandstand in downtown Waupaca for a Kids Open Mic. We have the community piano for those who play, but all are encouraged to bring any instrument you wish to play and your singing voices! Little voices, big talent!

Tuesday, Aug. 12

Waupaca Senior Center Line Dancers

  • 10 - 11 a.m.

  • SHINE Sculpture— Rotary Riverview Park, 100 Cooper St., Waupaca

  • Free!

Meet the Senior Kickers Line Dancers! This energetic crew from the Waupaca Senior Center is keeping spirits high and feet moving with their fun-filled line dancing moves. Come watch, cheer, or even join in!

Waupaca Historical Society: Trolley Talk with Mike Kirk!

  • 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

  • SHINE Sculpture— Rotary Riverview Park, 100 Cooper St., Waupaca

  • Free!

Join Mike Kirk, Waupaca Train Depot volunteer and Board member of the Waupaca Historical Society, as he presents the history of Waupaca's electric trolley. The trolley rails, many of which were still under North Main Street until 2021, were used to construct the metal portions of the SHINE Sculpture in Rotary Riverview Park. Come hear the history!

ARTicipation Week Waupaca Public Library Pressed Flower Luminaries free art project

Pressed Flower Luminaries

  • 2 - 4 p.m.

  • Waupaca Public Library— 107 S. Main St., Waupaca

  • Free!

Join your friends at Waupaca Public Library to create pressed flower luminaries! Using jars, pressed flowers, and mod podge, we will be creating flower luminaries for a beautiful light. Battery candle included to illuminate your creation.

We will be doing this project on the Waupaca Library front lawn. In the case of rain, we will move to the library basement meeting rooms.

Sponsored by Waupaca Public Library!

Sound Bath Experience with Maggie— Singing bowls!

A sound bath is a full-body experience where healing sounds and vibrations create a meditative state of deep relaxation. The sound frequencies surpass the intellect and travel to the core of your cellular system, where healing qualities are fully absorbed. Tibetan singing bowls, a gong, chimes, and a Shruti box create frequencies that ‘bathe’ you throughout the session, encouraging the release of tension and stress. This helps to quiet mental chatter, heighten our senses, and relax both the body and the mind.

Please bring items to make you comfortable: a yoga mat, pillow(s), an eye mask, 2 blankets, and a water bottle. If you prefer to sit, there will be chairs available.

Live Music: Christopher Gold

  • 7 - 9 p.m.

  • Grand National Lounge— 106 W. Union St., Waupaca

  • Free!

Christopher Gold is a Kentucky-born songwriter living in Wisconsin.  Together with his band the New Old Things he has written and recorded folk songs, country songs, rock & roll songs, and everything in between, citing a love for songwriters like Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, John Prine and anybody else whose work begins with paper and pen.

Come for the delicious cocktails and good music!

Outdoor Movie: Minecraft

  • 8 p.m.

  • Upper South Park

  • Free!

Hosted by the Waupaca Parks and Recreation, join us for an amazing outdoor movie night featuring the movie, Minecraft. Local favorites, Shindig will have food and treats available for purchase. Come early so everyone can enjoy the bouncy house. This is sure to be a great time!

Sponsored by Farmers State Bank, Friends of Waupaca Parks, Waupaca Parks and Rec, and WCAB.

Wednesday, Aug. 13

Coffee with Java Jive

  • 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

  • SHINE Sculpture— Rotary Riverview Park, 100 Cooper St., Waupaca

Java Jive will be serving coffee before, during and after the morning yoga with Janet Heiner! Stop down and enjoy a cup!

ARTicipation Week Yoga in the Park Shine Sculpture activities

Yoga with Janet Heiner

  • 9 - 10 a.m.

  • SHINE Sculpture— Rotary Riverview Park, 100 Cooper St., Waupaca

  • Free!

Find your flow under the open sky! Join us for yoga in the park, where breath, movement, and nature come together for a peaceful start to your day. Let the SHINE Sculpture inspire you while you relax and take a moment for yourself. All levels welcome—just bring your mat!

ARTicipation Week Kids art camp the arts hub kids exploration camp Art Kids art

Kids Art Camp — An Expressive Arts Experience

  • Aug. 13 - 15

  • 1 - 4 p.m.

  • Ages: 8-13

  • The Arts Hub — 720 Demarest Ave., Waupaca

  • Cost: $100, $0, this camp is free due to the generosity of generous Community Donors

Join us for an exciting camp leading up to Arts on the Square! In celebration of Waupaca’s vibrant art fair, we’ll draw inspiration from Ferris wheels, dynamic patterns, and art in motion—exploring creativity through movement and design.

Pre-registration is required for the Kids Art Camp. Registration opens July 15.

Check out our classes at the Waupaca Community Arts Hub

This camp is free due to the generosity of The Waupaca Community Arts Hub, Friends of WCAB, RH Liquidators, Agape, and many community donors.

Back to the Vinyl Dance Party

  • 4:30 p.m.

  • SHINE Sculpture— Rotary Riverview Park, 100 Cooper St., Waupaca

  • Free!

Join Back 2 the Vinyl at the SHINE Sculpture as they spin all your favorites from the 70's and 80's! Come and listen, hang, and dance if you feel the groove! Family friendly, get your SHINE on! Then swing over to Doc Kelly’s for happy hour!

Live Music: Doug Thompson

  • 7 p.m.

  • H.H. Hinder Brewing Co.— 804 Churchill St., Waupaca

  • Free!

Wisconsin native, Doug Thompson moved to the Charlotte, NC area in 2012, bringing with him, a bunch of songs that one reviewer called 3-minute novels. His albums, Live at the Evening Muse from 2014 and Common Sins from 2019, are full of songs that are alternately gripping, touching and hilarious.

Doug was awarded the Summit Coffee Songwriter of the Year award for 2018, and currently resides in Walkerton, Indiana with 3 cats and a wife, all of whom he loves.

Thursday, Aug. 14

ARTicipation Week Da Ukers Ukelele Group arts hub waupaca

Da Ukers in the Park

  • 11 a.m.

  • SHINE Sculpture— Rotary Riverview Park, 100 Cooper St., Waupaca

  • Free!

Da Ukers, the cheerful Arts Hub ukulele group strums lively tunes under the summer sun, filling the park with music and smiles. Come and listen to ukulele music by the beautiful Waupaca River at Rotary Riverview Park. Our group just finished its second year of instruction with our fabulous instructor, Barb Achten!

ARTicipation Week Kids art camp the arts hub kids exploration camp Art Kids art

Kids Art Camp — An Expressive Arts Experience

  • Aug. 13 - 15

  • 1 - 4 p.m.

  • Ages: 8-13

  • The Arts Hub — 720 Demarest Ave., Waupaca

  • Cost: $100, $0, this camp is free due to the generosity of generous Community Donors

Join us for an exciting camp leading up to Arts on the Square! In celebration of Waupaca’s vibrant art fair, we’ll draw inspiration from Ferris wheels, dynamic patterns, and art in motion—exploring creativity through movement and design.

Pre-registration is required for the Kids Art Camp. Registration opens July 15.

Check out our classes at the Waupaca Community Arts Hub

This camp is free due to the generosity of The Waupaca Community Arts Hub, Friends of WCAB, RH Liquidators, Agape, and many community donors.

Waupaca Local Live: Heart and Soul

  • 4 p.m.

  • Lower Level— Waupaca City Hall, 111 S Main St., Waupaca

Waupaca Local Live featuring the Arts Hub’s Heart and Soul Club!  Come to the studio or watch live on Facebook, as Arts Hub music students of all ages play the age old 1950’s Hoagie Carmichael classic piece “Heart and Soul!”  Generations have been playing this “play by ear” piano piece, and Hubsters will give you their best rendition, on many instruments!  Learn about this famous “50’s Chord Progression” as we have fun on the radio!

ARTicipation Week Poetry Reading poems local poets

Poetry Reading

  • 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

  • Lower Level— Waupaca City Hall, 111 S Main St., Waupaca

The Waupaca Community Arts Board (WCAB) has celebrated poetry now for 10 years! Over the past years, five WI Poet Laureates and four recognized storytellers have joined us. This year, in a Salute to Local Artists, poets and lyricists who are our Waupaca-area friends and neighbors will share their spoken art during ARTicipation Week.

Live Music: DADDIO

DADDIO is a contemporary improvisational group, comprised of some of the most experienced players in WI. Their musical offerings vary from fresh takes on other work to original material in a wide range of grooves and styles.

Bring your friends and grab a cocktail or some delicious food!

Friday, Aug. 15

ARTicipation Week Kids art camp the arts hub kids exploration camp Art Kids art

Kids Art Camp — An Expressive Arts Experience

  • Aug. 13 - 15

  • 1 - 4 p.m.

  • Ages: 8-13

  • The Arts Hub — 720 Demarest Ave., Waupaca

  • Cost: $100, $0, this camp is free due to the generosity of generous Community Donors

Join us for an exciting camp leading up to Arts on the Square! In celebration of Waupaca’s vibrant art fair, we’ll draw inspiration from Ferris wheels, dynamic patterns, and art in motion—exploring creativity through movement and design.

Pre-registration is required for the Kids Art Camp. Registration opens July 15.

Check out our classes at the Waupaca Community Arts Hub

This camp is free due to the generosity of The Waupaca Community Arts Hub, Friends of WCAB, RH Liquidators, Agape, and many community donors.

Main Street Shop Hop

  • 5 - 7 p.m.

  • Downtown Waupaca

Enjoy a special shopping experience up and down Main Street:  The Main Street Shop Hop! Participating retailers will be open, brochures of Waupaca's Main Street Public Art will be available.  Shop, and view the murals, sculptures and Sidewalk Poetry! When you are done shopping, head over the Friday Night Street Dance and get down with Copper Box!

Friday Night Street Dance

  • 6 - 10:30 p.m.

  • Main Stage — East Fulton Street, next to the Waupaca Public Library

  • Free!

Copper Box takes the stage at 7 p.m.! Food trucks and beverage tent on site starting at 6 p.m.! PLUS, take a ride on the Art Ferris Wheel!

Plan to join us for tasty food truck fare, a delicious cold beverage, and a night of dancing! Bring your friends!


Join us for Arts on the Square

Saturday, Aug. 16

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thank you for your generous support:

Title Sponsor:

Primary Sponsors:

Thrivent

Friends of the Waupaca Community Arts Board

The Kempfert Foundation

Waupaca Community Foundation

Office Outfitters/Bill Zimmerman

Dan Osman

Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region