PHOENIX PARK IN FOCUS. Discover Wisconsin turned its cameras toward all of Eau Claire last year, and the result is an episode that airs April 25.

Those of us living here in the Chippewa Valley already know this is a pretty great place to be. Now, it’s time that the rest of Wisconsin gets in on this. Toward that end, Discover Wisconsin, a television show has been highlighting locales, attractions, and events throughout our fine state since 1987, is set to air an Eau Claire-themed episode, entitled “Eau Claire – Hanging with the Locals.”

The episode will include reports on some of the elements that make Eau Claire the unique place it is. Our favorite lawn game, kubb, gets some attention as Eric Anderson and the U.S. National Kubb Championship, which he founded, are among the features for the show. Part of our incredible music scene is also highlighted with the help of Bob Baca of UW-Eau Claire and Eau Claire Jazz Inc. and Nobuyoshi Yasuda of the Chippewa Valley Symphony. (A certainly biweekly cultural magazine will make an appearance, too.)

Discover Wisconsin partnered with Visit Eau Claire for this venture, and the episode was partially funded by a Wisconsin Department of Tourism Joint Effort Marketing Grant. Visit Eau Claire Executive Director Linda John had high praise for Discover Wisconsin, specifically the way they approached the project: “Working with Discover Wisconsin was great – they are very thorough and came in with a strong plan.” According to John, locally connected Jerimiah Junkers, a former WEAU-TV reporter and a UWEC alum, produced the show, and his familiarity with the area played a role in capturing the essence of “Authentic Eau Claire.” She also expressed her excitement that local businesses and various elements of what makes Eau Claire so great will gain exposure throughout the state when the episode hits the air.

The Discover Wisconsin episode “Eau Claire – Hanging with the Locals” will air at 5pm Sunday, April 26, on our local ABC affiliate, WQOW-TV (Channel 18) You can learn more about the show and watch archived episodes at discoverwisconsin.com.