In the Chippewa Valley, you can people-watch just about anywhere…except perhaps in our recently experienced below-zero weather. So pretend it’s late spring, sum, sum, summer time, or early fall for this category. Coming in first is the Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market at Phoenix Park (330 Riverfront Terrace, Eau Claire), ideally on a Saturday morning, when the area is humming with activity both in sellers and buyers. Walmart (multiple locations), whether in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, or Menomonie, came in second as the best place to people-watch, and they have plenty of places to stand and watch whether before or after the Greeters at the front door. Third but not least is the Northern Wisconsin State Fair (225 Edward St, Chippewa Falls), which will be celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. –Barbara Arnold