Good morning, Wausau.

The Wausau and Marathon County Parks Recreation and Forestry Department will host a free children’s festival tomorrow at Marathon Park’s ice arena with petting zoos, bouncy houses + arts and crafts booths for toddlers to tweens.

The annual event, held for nearly 50 years, offers a day of fun activities for families in our community.

Mosinee sixth and seventh graders held a spring concert Thursday to honor their late classmate Ireland Ehrfurth—who died last September after being hit while riding her bike.

Music director Brock Kuklinski said the students created the tribute to help the community remember her and cope with their loss.

Wausau hosted its annual 16th Champions of Business Awards ceremony Thursday night at Jefferson Street Inn—an event that raised funds for Junior Achievement of Wisconsin to support school programs in financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness—featuring three community nominees.

At Church of the Resurrection, bells rang in celebration as the new Pope Leo XIV was announced—Father Tom Lindner said the church added the pope’s name to the Eucharistic prayer during masses and hopes he will help bring peace amid conflict.

The new pope, born in Chicago and experienced from work in Peru, has sparked excitement among local parishioners.

On Thursday, staff, alumni, and community members gathered at Grant Elementary School to say a final goodbye before it closes after 115 years of educating students as part of the district's consolidation plan—attendees shared memories and enjoyed food trucks, time capsule messages, and historical displays.

The Wausau Conservatory of Music will host its first Mother’s Day Spring Serenade on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at 404 Seymour St—offering performances by a new ukulele choir, The Harmony Hive Children’s Choir, and other groups while featuring a rose sale that supports music scholarships.

Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul sued former congressman Sean Duffy and the U.S. Department of Transportation after a freeze on over $62 million in federal funds threatened Wisconsin’s electric vehicle charging projects—raising concerns about job losses and delays in planned investments.

Bridge Community Health Clinic will begin renovations in three weeks to convert its old dental clinic into a space offering integrated medical, dental, and behavioral services using a $100,000 Impact100 grant — construction is expected to finish near the end of July before open houses are planned for patients.

Empowering Women Through Belly Dance

6-7:30 p.m. — 5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness — $22.50 — Discover the joy of belly dance while embracing feminine creativity and community.

One Night in Memphis Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — The Grand Theater — Ticket prices range from $102 to $888 — Experience an energetic tribute to the music legends of Memphis.

Wausau Woodchucks vs. Fond Du Lac Dock Spiders

1:05-2:35 p.m. — Athletic Park — $47-$80 — Catch the thrilling baseball rivalry between the Woodchucks and the Dock Spiders in Wausau.

Homebuyer Education Classes

5-8 p.m. — Hmong American Center, Inc. — Free entry — Gain the knowledge to navigate the home buying process successfully.