DECI, Water Street BID Plan New Events Ahead Of Eaux Claires
join businesses, musicians and more on July 23 for the Water Street Faire, in partnership with music festival in Carson Park
With the anticipated return of the Eaux Claires Festival to Carson Park this July 24-25, a collection of local businesses, community groups and Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. (DECI) have joined forces to ignite a week of festivities across the Chippewa Valley.
This week, DECI officially announced its complete Eaux Claires Water Street Faire itinerary, slated for 12-8pm on July 23 throughout Water Street’s 3rd and 5th avenues.
The free all-ages celebration will transform Water Street into its own outdoor “faire” and feature interactive public art experiences – all with the ultimate goal to celebrate and redefine the Water Street Business Improvement District (BID) as a year-round destination.
“This is the start of something new for Water Street, to create a signature event that helps them really identify their district,” Erin Klaus, executive director of DECI, shared with Volume One. “Of course, there is (the) economic impact that comes with that.”
Driven by these goals, the Water Street Faire – in partnership with Visit Eau Claire, the Wisconsin Arts Board, Eaux Claires, among others – will also coincide with the “Week on Water” from July 20-25.
“When we heard Eaux Claires was coming back and it was going to be in Carson Park, we didn't want to compete with these efforts. Instead we should join efforts.”
erin klaus
executive director of downtown eau claire, Inc.
Beginning July 20, a district-wide passport program will invite patrons to visit participating shops and collect stamps for prize drawings. This initiative – with the Water Street Faire acting as its centerpiece – serves as a tool to boost the district’s identity and drive new foot traffic into longtime and newer storefronts, Klaus said.
On July 23, the Water Street Faire will host its own “district activations,” including sidewalk merchandise pop-ups from businesses in the closed-off avenues. In a private lot between Subway (329 Water St., Suite 300) and The Pickle (341 Water St., Eau Claire), a beer garden and live music will occur from 2pm-8pm.
Local music acts to Eau Claire in the faire lineup include Jim Phillips, Jim Pullman and AuroNova – each with their own takes on Americana, indie-rock, funk and roots genres.
The event’s interactive art experiences will feature visual artists of the Valley: yarn bombing installation by Paula Gorski, a collaborative doodle wall led by Patricia Hawkenson, among others.
An official unveiling and public viewing of the new “Wisco Series” mural – coordinated by the Milwaukee Brewers and created by Menomonie-based muralist Jenna Wood – will take place throughout the day.
Michelle Rowekamp, an event coordinator with DECI for the Water Street Faire, noted “any age you know can participate in all of these (activations). It’s not just (for) a specific demographic, everyone is welcome.”
“I’m hoping we see a lot of people come from out of town to this (event), as well as the locals,” Rowekamp continued.
Over the decades, locals have long known of Water Street’s community efforts and legacy in Eau Claire, Klaus believes. As the Eaux Claires Festival draws national eyes – and visitors – toward Carson Park this July 24-25, it serves as the perfect way to honor the “hometown spirit” and showcase what city-wide collaboration can bring to life.
“When we heard Eaux Claires was coming back and it was going to be in Carson Park, we (didn’t) want to compete with these efforts,” Klaus said. “(Instead) we should join efforts.”
“With Justin (Vernon) wanting to see Eau Claire come alive, really wanting to just show off his hometown in a big way that speaks to people ... I feel so gracious that Justin, as an organizer, understands the significance of community and what that means and how to get there,” Klaus continued.
Comparable to the success of annual Eau Claire Fall Festival, also hosted by DECI, this event in its future iterations will become a new tradition for locals and visitors to enjoy year-after-year, Klaus said.
Additional information, entertainment schedules, Week on Water passport details and event updates will be announced in the coming weeks through DECI’s website and social media channels (@downtowneauclaire).
The Water Street Faire, presented by Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. – in partnership with Visit Eau Claire, the Wisconsin Arts Board and the Eaux Claires Festival – will occur from 12pm-8pm on July 23. This free-to-attend event will close off the Water Street Business Improvement District's 3rd through 5th avenue streets. To learn more, visit downtowneauclaire.org.
