Stevens Point Area Visitors Guide 2023

COMMUNITY
What’s New
in the 715
2023 will see some new developments
and additions to the Stevens Point Area.
Plover River Crossing Rendering | Rettler Corporation
43RD U.S. SENIOR OPEN
Get ready for golf to take center stage
during the 43rd U.S. Senior Open, when
SentryWorld hosts the event June 29 to
July 2, 2023. Wisconsin’s own Steve Stricker
is anticipated to be on the course for the
championship – which will be televised. Want
more? Read more about the event, on page 8.
ANCESTORS BURIED BELOW US
Pay tribute to Native Americans buried on
the grounds before UW-Stevens Point was
established with the Ancestors Buried
Below Us. The memorial is a 24-foot by
32-foot mural painted by Ho-Chunk/White
Earth Ojibwe artist, Christopher Sweet. The
memorial is part of a larger plan by UW-Stevens
Point to educate people on and off campus
about the tragedy that led to the burial site.
FOOD + FARM EXPLORATION CENTER
See what’s growing at the Food + Farm
Exploration Center, a state-of-the-art
educational center that is in development
(& under construction) in Plover. The facility,
slated to open in 2023, will offer interactive
exhibits, inside and out, to bring modern
farming to life.
GREAT NORTHERN DISTILLING
Central Wisconsin’s first craft distillery is
slated to open its doors to a new facility in
downtown Stevens Point this year. Great
Northern Distilling’s new location will feature
an expanded tasting room, dog-friendly
outdoor patio, private event space, as well as
a production area for crafting their awardwinning
spirits.
THE GROVE
CREATE Portage County with a mission
to accelerate creativity, connection, and
collaboration to advance vibrant and
welcoming communities, will soon have a new
home, as part of The Grove, a redevelopment
of the former Sisters of St. Joseph’s Convent.
CREATE will use 27,000 square feet as a
community hub, coworking, meeting, and
event space - expanding the efforts of the
current IDEA Center. The Grove also includes
a multi-generational housing development, a
pivotal part of the project.
HONEY BEE GOOD MEADERY
& PLANT SHOP
The local craft beverage scene is expanding
with the addition of Honey Bee Good, a new
business in the Stevens Point Area. They plan
to produce mead by fermenting local honey
(and operate a greenhouse featuring tropical
houseplants) in the developing Central City
Market, a cooperative of local makers and
entrepreneurs.
KNOWLTON HOUSE DISTILLERY
Central Wisconsin will have another distillery,
slated to open in 2023. The twist? They’ll use
milk sugars to create their spirits. Knowlton
House Distillery, located across the street
from Mullins Cheese, will offer tours, classes,
craft cocktails, and food.
PLOVER RIVER CROSSING
The Plover River Crossing project will add
roughly a third of a mile of trail and expand
access to the popular Green Circle Trail.
Through the creation of a pedestrian bridge
over the Plover River, the project will provide
access to the trail avoiding Interstate 39 and
Highway 10.
PORTAGE COUNTY CULTURAL FESTIVAL
After taking a pause during the pandemic (in
2020, 2021, and 2022), the state’s largest free
cultural festival returns to central Wisconsin
on May 13! The Portage County Cultural
Festival brings people together celebrating
rich cultural heritage through food, arts and
entertainment, and activities.
VILLAGE HIVE
The Village Hive Bakery, a hub for food
entrepreneurs in Amherst, is expanding in
2023. The new additions will include a shortterm
rental for overnight guests, hands-on
classes, and a small event space.
MILESTONES &
CELEBRATIONS IN 2023
Hidden Studios Art Tour hits 20 years
of highlighting working artists’ studios
throughout central Wisconsin each fall.
Central Waters in Amherst mark a
quarter-century of brewing – complete with
celebration + special beer releases.
The City of Stevens Point turns 165.
Wooden Chair reaches 30 years, serving
up food in this popular downtown spot.
Stevens Point Area Official Visitors Guide | 2023
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