Name: Chippewa Valley Book Festival: "Writing in Your Own Backyard: Local Columnists On Writing the Chippewa Valley"
Start: 2026-10-21
End: 2026-10-21

Pablo Center operates in support of a mission that is focused on augmenting and developing regional education opportunities in the performing and visual arts for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The center offers the region a facility capable of providing transformative training, learning and creative opportunities. Inside, guests, local partners and artists can experience a 1,200+ seat theatre and a flexible 396-seat theatre; three rehearsal, dance and community rooms; visual arts galleries; labs for sound and lighting, set and exhibit design, recording arts, multimedia production and costume design; and spaces equipped to support vocational training initiative.

Pablo Center at the Confluence

Live Great Food is a small family owned and operated Catering Company and Food Truck. Voted the best of Chippewa Valley 2023, they offer a locally driven menu using the best quality ingredients by sourcing from local farmers. Live Great Foods loves putting a smile on the Chippewa Valley's face.

Live Great Food

Pablo Center operates in support of a mission that is focused on augmenting and developing regional education opportunities in the performing and visual arts for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The center offers the region a facility capable of providing transformative training, learning and creative opportunities. Inside, guests, local partners and artists can experience a 1,200+ seat theatre and a flexible 396-seat theatre; three rehearsal, dance and community rooms & visual arts galleries.

Tasty Trolley smokes their own pulled pork and uses their own special seasoning blend. Order it as a sandwich or try it on their famous Pulled Pork Nachos! Enjoy other delicious treats like lemonade slushies, ice cream sandwiches, and ice cream drumsticks. You can find Tasty Trolley Food Truck at the following locations this May 2023: May 5 (11am-7pm) - Pheonix Park, Eau Claire, WI May 10 (4pm-8pm) - Owen Park, Eau Claire, WI May 13 (10am-4pm) - River Prairie Art Festival, Altoona, WI May 18 (11am-2pm) - Midwest Manufacturing, Eau Claire, WI May 20 (6pm-9pm) - Owen Park, Eau Claire, WI May 30 (6pm-8:30pm) - Owen Park, Eau Claire, WI

The Tasty Trolley

Mi Mì Café is an up-and-coming food truck that will operate in Eau Claire and the greater Chippewa Valley! Starting summer of 2021, we will bring you a fantastic combination of Vietnamese iced coffee and Banh Mì sandwiches. Think of the most energizing and delicious strong coffee you've ever tasted combined with a scrumptious sandwich that will fill you up and never let you down. We'll be posting updates on our progress here. See you next summer!

Mi Mì Café

Locally owned, Over 30 Tap beers and a custom-crafted cocktail menu. Amazing food at a fair price. Known for our burgers, fish fry and selection!

The District Pub & Grill

Island Vibe serves authentic Jamaican food featuring fan favorites like jerk chicken & pork, rice & beans, and fried plantain! Feel the island vibe by finding them at these locations May 2023: May 5 (11am-7pm) - Food Truck Friday, Eau Claire, WI May 6 (12pm-8pm) - Brewing Projekt, Eau Claire, WI May 13 (11am-4:30pm) - River Bend Winery, Chippewa Falls, WI May 19 (4pm-8pm) - Brewing Projekt, Eau Claire, WI May 20 - Mabel Tainter Community Festival, Menomonie, WI May 27 (11am-6pm) - Bemis Bluff Winery, Eleva, WI May 29 (11am-6pm) - Bloomer Downtown

Island Vibe Food Truck

Rosy’s is a family run Tex-Mex concession stand offering over 20 years’ experience. Rosy’s got its start in Cadott, WI doing Country Fest and Rock Fest. A few years ago, they decided to become mobile and it has been a hit ever since! Enjoy fan favorites such as Rosy's Super Burrito, Super Tots, and Festa Chips. Or take a delicious bite of hard or soft shell tacos, super taco, burrito, nachos, and season tots. Find them this summer for a delicious bite at these locations: June 21 to 24 - Country Fest, Cadott, WI July 12 to 15 - Rock Fest, Cadott, WI July 28 & 29 - One Fest, Chippewa Falls WI Fairgrounds Aug 10 (11AM-7PM) - WWIB, Lake Hallie WI Aug 12 (11AM-8PM) - Pure Water Days, Chippewa Falls, WI

Rosy's Texas Outpost Food Truck

The Fire House is a tavern located at the corner of Graham Ave and Gibson St in downtown Eau Claire. We have 38 rotating craft taps, mixed drinks, bottled beer, wine, and more. Plus 5 HDTVs,pizza and popcorn, games, live local music, & a great atmosphere!

The Fire House

Are you constantly on the hunt for that perfectly creative gift idea to surprise and delight a loved one? Creating a series of adventure envelopes for a loved one turns gift-giving into a memorable journey, filled with surprises, personal touches, and excitement. This innovative approach allows you to curate experiences that are tailored to their interests, making each reveal an adventure in itself. This “business” of crafting adventure envelopes is more than a gift; it’s an experience, a journey, and a testament to the thought and care put into making a loved one feel special. It’s a reminder that the best gifts don’t always come in packages, but in envelopes filled with adventures waiting to be unveiled. Would you like to bestow the gift of an unforgettable experience near or around the Chippewa Valley (and beyond) but find yourself short on time to orchestrate the details? Leave the coordination to me. Treat yourself or someone dear to you with the invaluable gift of an experience. Whether it's for Christmas, a birthday, anniversary, or wedding, these tailored experiences are meticulously crafted based on the details you provide below. Click on google doc here to submit your 'experience' request, I'll reach out to discuss specifics and availability before finalizing your order.

Sentimental Surprises

Olson's Ice Cream has been a family tradition in the Chippewa Valley since 1944. Their delicious ice cream is locally produced and homemade with only the finest ingredients. In addition to their store locations in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, during the summer months they proudly serve from the concession stand at Irvine Park and can be found scooping artisan ice cream and treats from their concession trailers or portable freezers at events around the area. Make sure to find them at these upcoming events for a delicious cold treat: Saturdays 5/1-10/31 - Eau Claire Phoenix Park Farmer's Market April 29 - Eau Claire Nationals Ball Tournament May 19-21 - Hallie Ball Fields, Chippewa Falls, WI May 19-21 - Seymour Ball Fields, Eau Claire,WI May 19 (2pm-12am) - Spring Fest, Northern WI State Fair Grounds May 20 (11am-12am) - Spring Fest, Northern WI State Fair Grounds June 1 - (6-8:30pm) - Sounds Like Summer, Eau Claire, WI June 2 - (11am-7pm) - Phoenix Park Food Truck Friday, Eau Claire, WI June 4 - (6-8:30pm) - Riverfront Park, Chippewa Falls, WI

Olson's Ice Cream Eau Claire

Olson's Ice Cream is the only locally made ice cream since 1944! They have developed over 250 recipes (and counting) of delicious homemade ice cream! When you visit, choose from the largest selection of classic and seasonal flavors made with fresh milk, cream, and high-quality ingredients.

Located in western Wisconsin, Eau Claire offers sports planners a destination that's easy to reach, easy to navigate, and ready to host. Just 90 minutes from the Minneapolis–St. Paul area and within driving distance of Chicago, Eau Claire is well positioned to welcome teams, athletes, and fans from across the Midwest.

A versatile mix of indoor and outdoor venues supports events across a wide range of sports and competition levels, with tournament-ready fields, courts, ice facilities, pools, trails, and large-scale indoor spaces. Hotels, restaurants, venues, and visitor amenities are conveniently located throughout the community, making it easy for teams to get where they need to be throughout the event.

Visit Eau Claire's sports team works alongside event organizers to help bring the details together, connecting planners with venues, accommodations, local resources, and destination support.

And there's plenty waiting beyond the competition. Eau Claire's walkable downtown, local restaurants and breweries, miles of trails, public art, live music, family attractions, and the Chippewa River give athletes and their families more to experience between games and after the final whistle.

Eau Claire has the facilities to host the event and the destination experience to make the trip worth it.**** Bring the competition, bring the crowd, and come as you are — Eau Claire is ready to host.

Visit Eau Claire

Join Leader-Telegram Sawdust Stories columnists of the past and present–Patti See, John Hildebrand, and Nickolas Butler–for a conversation and mini workshop on how to write the stories closest to home. Through conversation, examples, and guided exercises, participants will explore the short essay writing process–from the spark of an idea to the beginnings of a draft.

Whether you’re a longtime writer, simply someone interested in preserving stories from your family, community, or everyday life, or are just interested in learning more about the writing process, this workshop is for you.

Chippewa Valley Book Festival: "Writing in Your Own Backyard: Local Columnists On Writing the Chippewa Valley"

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About Chippewa Valley Book Festival: "Writing in Your Own Backyard: Local Columnists On Writing the Chippewa Valley"

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Where this happens

Near Pablo Center at the Confluence