Council approves moving Arts on the Square to new Arts Hub campus; event permit and limited street closures granted

The Waupaca Common Council approved a request from the Waupaca Area Community Arts Board to relocate Arts on the Square events to the new Arts Hub/rec center campus to provide an indoor, weatherproof option and support weeklong arts activities.

Cheryl Slutton read a proclamation naming August as Arts Appreciation Month and, together with Kathy Palazolo, outlined plans to move the Friday night street dance and Saturday’s Arts on the Square to the shared campus. Palazolo told the council the move would allow use of the rec center gym and the new arts hub building at 515 School Street and would enable a Friday-night street dance, Saturday early vendor unloading (6:00–9:00 a.m.), temporary handicap parking, a kids bike-decorating parade in a triangular area by the library, and limited use of the bandstand for scheduled performers. “We have considered creating a plan to hold this year’s Arts on the Square on our shared rec center arts hub campus,” Palazolo said.

Council member Dmitri Martin made the motion to approve and it passed by voice vote. Mayor Smith noted the clerk’s office would still manage signage and permits and thanked the Arts Board for planning and downtown business engagement. The council’s approval includes the temporary no-parking window for vendor unloading and designated handicap parking after 9:00 a.m. The Arts Hub open events begin the week of Aug. 7 with a 20-year history exhibit and the weekend includes a Renaissance Fair on Aug. 8 and other downtown performances.