Downtown Grand Affair in Wisconsin Rapids

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) – The weather was perfect for the Downtown Grand Affair on Sunday.

Temperatures were crisp as vendors and car owners set up for the day in Wisconsin Rapids. By mid-morning when the crowds started to arrive, temperatures rose under bright blue skies and puffy white clouds. The Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce partners with Creepers Car Club to host an arts and crafts vendor fair and car show in early September. This year marked the 25th annual event.

The Allied Veterans Council gave the opening flag presentation for the Downtown Grand Affair. Members from VFW Post #2534, Vietnam Veterans Chapter 101, and the Department of Disabled Veterans Chapter 55 presented the flags while the National Anthem played to officially open the event.

Heart of Wisconsin

Vendor booths covered both sides of West Grand Avenue and Food Vendors filled 2nd Avenue South from end to end. The entire downtown was full of people shopping and buying food. “It’s amazing there are so many people. I would say in the thousands of people,” said Staci Kivi, President and CEO of the Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce.

Kivi says this year’s turnout was “fantastic.” She adds that they hosted a record number of vendors from all over the state.

This was the first year they were able to suspend open container rules on West Grand Avenue, meaning shoppers and car aficionados could purchase adult beverages at their favorite downtown establishments and enjoy a drink while walking up and down the street.

Creepers Car Club

Creepers Car Club has partnered with the Downtown Grand Affair for at least the past two decades, though current Club President Jay Richardson says he thinks it’s been longer than that. Originally, Creepers Car Club began in the early 1950s with a group of high school boys. Richardson said the club took a break and started back up again in 2000. “We started with three cars.” Richardson said. Over the years, the club has grown.

Peg Landerman is a long time member of the Car Club, and says this year’s Downtown Grand Affair had a record 208 vehicles. Classic cars and trucks lined the westbound lane across the Grand Avenue Bridge. They also spanned 2nd Street South from Veterans Memorial Park to the other side of West Grand Avenue. These vehicular masterpieces filled area parking lots and even 1st Avenue South where the Farmers’ Market sets up.

Great Community Event

Jeff Penzkover sits on both the Wisconsin Rapids City Council as District 4 Alder and the Wood County Board as District 11 Supervisor. He said this is the perfect event for the change of season — and perfectly captures what Rapids is about.

“I’m telling you, Rapids is the place to live. I’ve been here all my life. People are coming to town. There’s a lot of interest in the businesses that we have going here, real estate is a bargain. This is where it’s going on.”