The Central Wisconsin Book Festival is happy to welcome back Wisconsin author B.J. Hollars to discuss his new book about the 1960 presidential primary election in Wisconsin!
Just ahead of this year’s presidential election, Hollars will talk about his book Wisconsin for Kennedy: The primary that launched a president and changed the course of history. The book shares the stories behind JFK’s history-making 1960 Wisconsin primary campaign, and how Kennedy’s team managed to outmaneuver, out-hustle and outspend his politically seasoned opponent from neighboring Minnesota, Hubert Humphrey.
Please note this event will be held at Peking Restaurant in downtown Wausau. On February 25, 1960, a reception was held for Kennedy in the Crystal Ballroom of what was then the Hotel Wausau and that now houses Peking and Landmark Apartments. The public will have a chance to learn more about Kennedy’s historical primary run in the very same space where JFK himself spoke in 1960!
This and other Central Wisconsin Book Festival events are free and open to the public, and no registration is required for this event. Call MCPL Wausau at 715-261-7230 for more information.
Support for the 2024 Central Wisconsin Book Festival was provided through the Marathon County Public Library, Portage County Public Library and McMillan Memorial Library; the Community Arts Grant Program of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, with funds provided by the Wisconsin Arts Board, a state agency; the Community Foundation; and the B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation.
Support also provided by the Murco Foundation; Ruder Ware Law Firm; the Portage County Public Library Foundation; Center for the Visual Arts; the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Libraries; Bound to Happen Books; Sojourn Booksellers; Janke Book Store; and Peking Restaurant.
