1. PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact: Elizabeth Field
Phone: 715-297-1829
Email: elizabeth@wausauriverdistrict.org
WHO LET THE DOGS OUT? WAUSAU RIVER DISTRICT’S FIRST THURSDAYS:
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
Wausau, WI (7/29/15) – Wausau River District’s next First Thursday takes place on Thursday,
August 6 between 5 and 8 p.m. This month, downtown Wausau will be transformed into the Dog
Days of Summer, with the help of some furry friends.
While bringing dogs downtown is discouraged for attendees, Wausau River District has planned
special visits from a wide range of canines. The Humane Society of Marathon County will be
bringing adoptable dogs, the K-9 unit will make a special appearance and a few famous dogs
might even find their way to the Wausau River District.
It would not be a First Thursday without downtown businesses putting their own spin on the
theme. VOSStudios is filling their studio with certified therapy dogs and a plethora of library
books about cute pups. They invite you and your littles to snuggle with a dog, grab a book and
practice reading aloud. The Center for Visual Arts will have their MANimal exhibit open to
showcase art that shows the connection between man and animal. The exhibit even includes a
saber tooth tiger! The Lamplighter Fine Gifts will be donating ten percent of all sales from First
Thursday to the Humane Society of Marathon County.
To earn a special discount from participating businesses, attendees can bring a donation for the
Humane Society of Marathon County. Those who bring a donation will be given a dog tag that
they can then take to participating businesses to receive an additional discount or promotion.
Many of the same local musicians and bands from June and July will be back and stationed along
the sidewalks of the River District for Dog Days of Summer.
Attendees are encouraged to explore the downtown Wausau businesses and areas that they have
never been to before, such as the Third Street Lifestyle Center and the West side of the River
District, which is a short ten minute walk across the river.
First Thursdays is Wausau’s newest shopping experience. Developed by local business owners
who sought to enhance the downtown shopping experience, the goal of the event is to elevate the
downtown shopping experience by creating an enjoyable atmosphere filled with music and
entertainment while promoting the unique River District stores.
First Thursdays would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors: Compass
Properties, Eastbay Retail, ENT Associates, Executive Cleaning, Eye Clinic of Wisconsin,
Frontier Communications, Habush Habush & Rottier. Nationwide, Northstar Cleaning and
Restoration, River Valley Bank, Ruder Ware, and the Wisconsin Woodchucks. Generous support
for this project was also supplied through the Wausau-Marathon County Fund of the Community
Foundation of North Central Wisconsin and the City of Wausau Room Tax fund.
Upcoming First Thursday events are: September 3 will be Live Local Art, and October 1 will be
Hooray for Homecoming! All event details and more information can be found on the First

2. Thursdays (First Thursdays – Downtown Wausau) or Downtown Wausau’s River District
(Downtown Wausau’s River District) Facebook pages. First Thursdays is also on Instagram and
Twitter under the handle @1stThursWausau.
The purpose of the Wausau River District is to promote and facilitate the economic development
and historic preservation of downtown Wausau for the benefit of the entire community.
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