Block parties planned for downtown plaza

The grand opening for the new Shawano downtown plaza is still several months away, but the city has confirmed one regular activity that will take place during the summer months.

On Tuesdays and Saturdays, the Naberhood will be the site for block parties, according to an announcement that Matt Hendricks, the city’s parks and recreation director, made to the Shawano Common Council on Dec. 14.

“It’s been six or eight months in the planning already,” Hendricks said. “With the plaza being done, this is a sneak peek at what will become a Tuesday and Saturday weekly event, beginning approximately in early June through the end of August.”

The block parties are being sponsored by the city, along with the Shawano County Tourism Council, the Shawano County Library and Stubborn Brothers Brewery.

The Tuesday block parties will take place in the evening, according to Hendricks. Among the offerings those weeks are family-related activities, like movie nights similar to what took place at Franklin Park when Thursdayz at Franklin kicked off a few years ago, as well as potential visits from the NEW Zoo and Native American dancing.

Saturday block parties are scheduled for the afternoons and would include more music-themed activities, Hendricks said. Those would include individual and duo performances and take place at the stage next to Stubborn Brothers.

“We’re pretty excited about that,” Hendricks said. “Obviously, we’ll be more specific once the actual itinerary or agenda of events is set up.”

Hendricks noted that more details would be forthcoming about planned events in the beginning of 2023.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com