Throwback Thursday means free admission with a classic button; Vacay Friday offers extended hours
WICHITA, Kan., June 6, 2019 – Riverfest, Kansas’ largest community event, will wrap up this weekend with four major concerts, a dance party, a fireworks finale, two car shows, family activities, a health and fitness fair and competitions, all free with a $10 admission button for adults or $5 button for kids ages 6-12.
Due to high water levels and fast current, people-powered craft will not launch, and all river events associated with them have been cancelled. All dry land and indoor events will continue, and sidewalks adjacent to the river are now accessible, thanks to receding water levels and the efforts of City of Wichita Park & Recreation and Public Works staff. Visit WichitaRiverfest.com for event details or download the mobile app for iPhone or Android.
EVENTS FOR THURSDAY, June 6:
Throwback Thursday: Wear any official Riverfest button from the past for free admission on Thursday. We’ll randomly award prizes to festival-goers who show up wearing their best Riverfest flair!
• KAKE Touch-A-Truck, 5-8:30 p.m. Location: Waterman Street. Kids can climb aboard their favorite trucks, big rigs and emergency vehicles, and meet the personnel who protect, serve and build the Wichita community.
• Goodwill Cajun Food Fest, 5-8:30 p.m. Location: Kennedy Plaza. Goodwill Industries of Kansas is ready to spice up Riverfest again with Cajun Food Fest! Enjoy a generous helping of traditional Louisiana favorites including chicken etouffee, red beans and sausage served over rice and homemade bread pudding with bourbon custard sauce. $10 a plate. Proceeds support Goodwill job training and education programs. Sponsored by Westar Energy and INTRUST Bank Arena. Brought to you by KEYN & KWCH.
• Walk ICT Downtown History Tour, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Location: ICT Pop-Up Park. The Downtown and Delano areas will be featured in this fun and educational walk. Presented by Bike Walk Wichita.
• Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Presented by Fidelity Bank, 5:30 p.m.: High Society Dixieland Band; 7 p.m.: Shamarr Allen; 9 p.m.: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Location: Wichita Acura Dealers Stage at Kennedy Plaza. Brought to you by KEYN.
• Sedgwick County Employee Appreciation, 6 p.m. Location: Wichita Acura Dealers Stage
• Tribute to First Responders by Kansas Gas Service, 6:30 p.m., Location: Wichita Acura Dealers Stage
• The Mp3 Experiment, 6:30-7 p.m., Location: Kennedy Plaza or RedGuard Stage Area. Visit https://improveverywhere.com/riverfest/ to participate in this flash mob-style performance.
• For Your Amusement: The Wonderland Park on Ackerman Island, 7:30 p.m., Location: Ackerman’s Backyard. A documentary short about Wichita’s first amusement park.
• Kill Vargas & Friends Concert, 8 p.m., RedGuard Stage
EVENTS FOR FRIDAY, June 7:
Vacay Friday: Come enjoy an extra day of special programming and extended weekday hours.
• Walk ICT Family Exploration Tour, 11 a.m., Location: Bike Valet at Ackerman’s Backyard.
• Riverfest Health & Fitness Fair, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Location: Kennedy Plaza. Learn about health-related services and wellness programs and take part in screenings, including a free kidney heath screening by the National Kidney Foundation.
• Riverfest Classic Car Show, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Location: Century II Expo Hall. Check out our display of classic and custom cars, and auto-related vendors inside the air-conditioned comfort of Century II’s Expo Hall. Sponsored by Safelite Auto Glass, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Kansas Turnpike Authority, Ron’s Signs and ICS Collision. Brought to you by KEYN.
• Kansas Lottery – Get your Tickets and Win, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Location: East Food Court Entrance.
• Banana Tattoos and Secret Messages, 11 a.m., Location: Cox Kids Corner. Sponsored by Dillons.
• Dig It!, 11 a.m., Location: Cox Kids Corner. A big sand pile for kids!
• Matinee Movie, 11:30 a.m., Location: Quantum Credit Union Food Court. Family-friendly shorts and classic cartoons.
• Tennis for Kids, 3-5 p.m., Location: Cox Kids Corner. Sponsored by Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation
• Gogol Bordello Concert, 5-10:30 p.m., Location: Wichita Acura Dealers Stage. 5 p.m.: New Imperialism; 6:15 p.m.: Carrie Nation & the Speakeasy; 7:45 p.m.: MarchFourth; 9:30 p.m.: Gogol Bordello. Brought to you by T95 and FOX Kansas.
• Riverfest Kids Fishing Derby, 6 p.m., Location: Cox Kids Corner. Sponsored by Cabela’s
• Chroma Paint Party, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Location: RedGuard Stage. Electronic dance music and color! Brought to you by Channel 963
• MapMusik Video Postcard, 7:15 p.m., Location: Wichita Acura Dealers Stage. A screening of the video composition created by Von Hansen of the Riverfest sound snapshots uploaded by festival attendees. Brought to you by KMUW.
EVENTS FOR SATURDAY, June 8:
• Riverfest Kickball Tournament, 11 a.m. Location: Westside Athletic Field. Teams and spectators alike are sure to have fun in this fast-paced, high-energy game.
• Pickleball Demos, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Location: RedGuard Stage Area. Presented by Chicken N Pickle
• Drone Races, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., competition; 5-7 p.m., public session. Location: south of the RedGuard Stage Area
• I Bike ICT Art and Architecture Tours, 11 a.m.-Noon. Location: Bike Valet @ Ackerman’s Backyard. This tour will highlight and celebrate the art and architecture of downtown Wichita. Ride will include frequent stops, helmets encouraged. Presented by Bike Walk Wichita.
• Human Foosball Tourney, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Location: Ackerman’s Backyard. Just like foosball game tables, only participants are the life-size players. Sponsored by Wiesen Roofing.
• Riverfest Knit in Public, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Location: Ackerman’s Backyard. Presented by Picket Fence Quilt Co. & Firebrunette Knits
• Riverfest Classic Car Show, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. A display of classic and custom cars, with auto-related vendors inside the air-conditioned comfort of Century II’s Expo Hall. Sponsored by Safelite Auto Glass, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Kansas Turnpike Authority, Ron’s Signs and ICS Collision. Brought to you by KEYN.
• Midwest Super Car Show, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Location: Century II Exhibition Hall. Lowriders and more! Brought to you by Radio Lobo.
• Kansas Lottery – Get your Tickets and Win, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Location: East Food Court Entrance.
• Banana Tattoos and Secret Messages, 11 a.m., Location: Cox Kids Corner. Sponsored by Dillons.
• Walk ICT Photographic Memory: Capturing the History of Wichita, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Location: Delano Clock Tower. Presented by Sparks Real Estate Photography.
• Midwest Super Car Show Car Hop, noon to 2 p.m., Location: Douglas. Brought to you by Radio Lobo.
• Bicycle Decoration Station, noon to 2 p.m., Location: Kennedy Plaza. Gussie up your bike for the Decorated Bicycle Contest & Parade.
• Decorated Bicycle Contest & Parade, 2 p.m., Location: Kennedy Plaza.
• 10th Annual Funnel Cake Eating Contest, 3-3:30 p.m. Location: Quantum Credit Union Food Court. Any remaining open spots will be filled onsite starting at 2:30 p.m. the day of the event. Sponsored by KQAM and KGSO
• Spirit AeroSystems Presents Sublime with Rome, 4:30-10:30 p.m., Location: Wichita Acura Dealers Stage. 4:30 p.m.: Ziggowatts; 5:45 p.m.: Common Kings; 7:15 p.m., SOJA; 9 p.m.: Sublime with Rome. In partnership with: Eby Construction; Foulston Siefkin; iSi Environmental; and TECT Aerospace. Brought to you by The Buzz and KEYN.
• Fiesta Del Rio, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Location: RedGuard Stage. 7:30: La Sonora Tropicana; 9:15 p.m.: El Morro y Su Reunion. Sponsored by Rusty Eck Ford. Brought to you by Radio Lobo.
• For Your Amusement: The Wonderland Park on Ackerman Island, 7:30 p.m., Location: Ackerman’s Backyard. A documentary short about Wichita’s first amusement park.
• Capitol Federal Fireworks Finale, directly following the headliner concert. Location: Arkansas River. Experience this dynamic pyrotechnic performance. Tune to 103.7 KEYN for live simulcast of the fireworks soundtrack.
DAILY FUN:
• Ackerman’s Backyard, Mon.-Thurs.: 6-9:30 p.m.; Fri., May 31: 5-10:30 p.m.; Fri., June 7: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sat.: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun.: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., at A. Price Woodard Park. Visit this engaging area with oversized lawn games, such as billiards and human foosball! Take part in the Artist-in-Residence workshops or snap a photo at the giant Admiral’s Chair or watch a trapeze artist twirl in the air!
• Artist-in-Residence Community Workshop with George Ferrandi, Sat. to Sat., 6:30-7:30 p.m., Ackerman’s Backyard, sponsored by USD 259. Come play alongside our Artist-in-Residence in a celebration of the North Star with her Jump!Star Project.
• Bike Walk Wichita Bike Valet offers secured bicycle parking at Ackerman’s Backyard.
• Cox Kids Corner, Mon., Tues. and Thurs.: 5-10 p.m.; Fri., May 31: 5-10:30 p.m.; Fri., June 7: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sat.: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sun.: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Location: Hyatt Lawn. Bring the family and enjoy games, art and science projects, clowns, magicians and other surprises, all free with a Riverfest button! No button is required for children 5 years of age and under. Brought to you by B-98 FM.
• Riverfest Cornhole Tournament at Cox Kids Corner, all nine days of the festival, presented by Air Capital Cornhole and sponsored by Star Lumber & Supply. Fun and competition for everyone, with a different division featured daily.
• Cox Virtual Reality Experience, in the RedGuard Stage Area. Don’t miss the 30’ by 30’ virtual reality trailer! You can experience a variety of 360-degree virtual reality environments and games.
• Pizza Hut and Taco Bell Stage at Cox Kids Corner, sponsored by Fugate Enterprises, which will feature performances and acts geared for the younger set.
• DJ Takeover, daily 6-10 p.m. in Ackerman’s Backyard.
• Make-Do-See projects at Cox Kids Corner will involve youngsters in science experiments, construction projects, dance moves and more!
• Helicopter rides, Mon.-Fri.: 5-8:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Locations: Friday May 31 and June 7, and Sat. June 8, McLean & Douglas; Saturday, June 1-Thursday, June 6, McLean & Maple. $40 per person with your Riverfest button.
• Horse Rides by Hope in the Valley Equine Rescue, Sat. & Sun: 1-9 p.m.; Mon.-Fri.: 5-9 p.m.; Sat., June 8, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cox Kids Corner A chance for all ages to take in Riverfest while riding tall in the saddle. Donations encouraged.
• Inflatables and Kiddie Rides, Mon.-Thurs.: 5-9:30 p.m.; Fri., May 31: 5-10:30 p.m.; Fri., June 7: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sat.: 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sun.: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Cox Kids Corner.
• The Last Carnival, Daily at 6:30 p.m. starting Sat., June 1 Location: Ackerman’s Backyard This circus troupe from Lawrence will amaze and delight you with feats of strength, agility and skill. Want to learn to juggle or spin plates? Look for the Circus Ruckus Prop Wagon each weekend and learn skills to amaze your friends!
• Phlox Kansas, Daily 9-9:45 p.m. at Ackerman’s Backyard. Be captivated by the beauty of these amazing fire performers, from hypnotic fire dancers to edge-of-your-seat fire eaters.
• Riverfest Photo & Video Contest, sponsored by 360Wichita.com. Cash prizes are up for grabs in eight photo categories and a new video category. For complete details, visit wichtariverfest.com or 360Wichita.com.
• Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, Location: west grounds of the former central branch library. Catch this action-packed show featuring log rolling, wood chopping, sawing, axethrowing and climbing, all with world champion lumberjacks!
Riverfest takes place through Saturday in downtown Wichita. Celebrating its 48th year, the event offers a wide range of entertainment for all ages, including headliner concerts, sports activities, fireworks, contests, the Cox Kids’ Corner and much more. Admission buttons are available now at the festival gates, area QuikTrip locations, and Wichita Festivals’ office at 444 E. William. Buttons are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and younger are admitted free.
Special thanks to our Riverfest Official Sponsors for 2019: Bud Light, Decker Electric, Metro Courier, Parr Sound and Lighting, PrairieLand Partners, RedGuard SiteBox, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Spot’s Party Bus, Van Horn Promotion and Marketing, and Visit Wichita.
About Wichita Festivals, Inc.: Wichita Festivals, Inc. is a non-profit corporation with the purpose of creating diverse community celebrations within the Wichita community. The primary events produced by Wichita Festivals, Inc. are Riverfest (May 31-June 8, 2019), Bob Struble Memorial Golf Tournament (September 6, 2019) and Autumn and Art at Bradley Fair (September 13-15, 2019). For more information, contact Teri Mott at (316) 267-2817 or teri@wichitafestivals.com.
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