BEAN ISLAND UNPLUGGED concert flyer

Bean Island Unplugged

1pm - October 11, 2026

The paddle-up concert of the year! Join us for special acoustic performances on the rocky beaches of Bean Island.

Bring your own boat, or enjoy a free canoe taxi provided by Eau Claire Outdoors. Canoe taxis start at 12:30.

The concert is free - it is just an island in our river, after all - but donations are strongly encouraged. Let's pay the artists!

Questions? Email Ben. Huge thanks to Sarah Magill, Eau Claire Outdoors, our musicians, and our paddlers. Flyer by Marni Kaldjian / Understory Design Co.

Getting to Bean Island

Find the path at the corner of S. Michigan St. and 1st Reserve near Newell Park in Shawtown. It's a brief walk to the river where you can launch your boat or catch a free canoe taxi.

If you'd like a longer river adventure, start further upstream at Phoenix Park or Hobbs Landing. You can pull out near Bean Island or at the Southwest Dog Park. Be aware that the Chippewa is unusually low and slow this fall, so you may need to get out and walk at times. Always wear a life jacket!

Bean Island

Bean Island is a lush island in the Chippewa River in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The river is fast and treacherous at high water but peaceful much of the year. We recommend paddling to the island from Hobbs Landing or Newell Park; you can pull out near Newell Park or at the Southwest Dog Park.

Friends of Bean Island

Someone has to take care of this place, so why not us? Join us to clean up and maintain this urban gem.

Thanks a million to the fantastic Ink Signals for the Bean identity!

Great Blue Heron on the shore of Bean Island, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Brilliant sunset over two kayaks on a rocky beach of Bean Island, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Canoe with two children and a woman paddling down the Chippewa River near Bean Island, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The canoe is full of rusty trash picked off the island. Two children wade in a peaceful bit of the Chippewa River at Bean Island, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.