WICHITA, Kan., May 30, 2019 – Riverfest, Kansas’ largest community event and one of the 40 largest outdoor events in the world, according to PollStar, kicks off Friday, packed with 125 diverse events, concerts and activities. Each year, the festival unites the community and enlivens downtown Wichita. All this fun is available with a $10 admission button for adults. Children 5 and under are admitted free; buttons for children ages 6 to 12 are $5.
“Our dedicated volunteers and generous partners make this world-class celebration possible, and we’re proud to offer both treasured traditions and innovative new events for all to enjoy,” said Mary Beth Jarvis, CEO of Wichita Festivals, Inc. “Everyone should head downtown with friends and family and take advantage of nine days of incredible entertainment, fun food and unique events, all organized for the community, by the community.”
The 48th Riverfest features 125 events and attractions, including 23 new events, all outlined on wichitariverfest.com and on the Wichita Riverfest 2019 app, powered by Westar Energy, which is available for Android and Apple devices.
(NOTE: If events that take place in the river during the first weekend of Riverfest need to be rescheduled due to weather or swift current, a media alert will be sent out with details.)
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! Grab a cool beverage and a shady spot by the river to watch jet skis, stock tank races, or the always amusing Cardboard Regatta. Sponsored by PrairieFire Coffee Roasters and Harvester Arts.
• 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. Participants will help create an art installation featuring creative Jump!Star characters. Look for the large lanterns created by Ferrandi and WSU students, which will be featured in the Safelite AutoGlass® Sundown Parade and in the windows of the former central branch library on Main St.
• Bike Walk Wichita Bike Valet offers secured bicycle parking at Ackerman’s Backyard, sponsored by Thrasher – Basement, Foundation and Concrete Repair.
• 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. Register at WichitaRiverfest.com.
• 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.
• Wichita Eagle Medallion Hunt, ends Thur. June 6, or when the medallion is located. Daily clues in the Eagle will lead you to a Sedgwick County location to find the medallion. Clues will be available on Kansas.com at about 7 a.m. each day. See www.kansas.com/riverfest for details. Sponsored by The Wichita Eagle.
• Fest Quest, an interactive challenge for festival participants. Download the app to capture QR codes at specific locations throughout the festival. Players who collect all 18 codes will be entered to win $1,000. Sponsored by Meritrust Credit Union.
• 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!
• Paddle Boats on the Arkansas River, Sat., June 2; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sun., June 3: 3-8:30 p.m.; Mon-Fri.: 5-8:30 p.m.; Sat., June 9: 12-5 p.m. at Cox Kids Corner at Hyatt Lawn.
• 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, Two locations-west grounds of the former central branch library: Shows daily at noon; Sat., June 1 and Sun., June 2 at 3 p.m.; and Friday, June 7 and Sat., June 8 at 3 p.m.; In Ackerman’s Backyard, Sat., through Sat., at 6 p.m. Catch this action-packed show featuring log rolling, wood chopping, sawing, axethrowing and climbing, all with world champion lumberjacks!
• Wagonmaster River Tours, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 5-8 p.m.; Saturday, June 1: 12-8 p.m.; Sunday, June 2: 12-8 p.m.; Saturday, June 8: 12-5:30 p.m.; at Ackerman’s Backyard. Cruises depart under the Douglas Street Bridge. FREE with your Riverfest button.
EVENTS FOR FRIDAY, May 31:
• Admiral’s Breakfast, the official opening of Riverfest, presented by Legacy Bank, Hyatt Regency Wichita and The Wichita Eagle/Kansas.com. Past Admirals Windwagon Smith host this traditional breakfast to celebrate 2019’s Admiral Windwagon Smith XLVI, Ken Atnip. From 7:30 a.m.-9 a.m. at the Hyatt, 400 W. Waterman. This event is the final fundraiser for Riverfest 2019, with tickets available for $15 per person or $130 for tables of 10. Reservations are encouraged; call (316) 267-2817. Sponsored by 104.5 The Fox.
• Project PopCon, 3-8 p.m. Location: Century II Expo Hall. Wichita’s own pop culture convention, Project PopCon is a collaboration of Air Capital Comic Con, Anime Fest Wichita and Midwest eSports. Brought to you by KWCH.
• Toadies Concert, 6-10 p.m. Location: RedGuard Stage. Brought to you by Alt 107.3. 6:15 p.m.: Aether; 7:30 p.m.: Cartwheel; 8:45 p.m.: Toadies
• Hot Air Balloons, 6:30 p.m. Launch, 8:30 p.m. Glow. Location: South of RedGuard Stage; brought to you by Flight 100.5. These majestic and colorful icons of Riverfest will glow to signal the start of the evening’s festivities. Subject to wind and weather conditions.
• Safelite AutoGlass Sundown Parade, 6:30-8 p.m., Location: Downtown Wichita. Brought to you by The Buzz KEYN, KFH, KNSS, Power 93.5 & KSN. Parade entrants inspired by this year’s theme, “Downtown Get Down” (and the lure of cash prizes) strut their creative stuff with floats, bands, flags, performers and all your favorite parade traditions.
• Twilight Pops Concert featuring the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Location: Wichita Acura Dealers Stage on Kennedy Plaza. Sponsored by Riverfest Corporate Hosts; brought to you by The Buzz, KEYN, KFH, KNSS, Power 93.5 & KSN. Your Wichita Symphony Orchestra performs an exciting concert full of popular favorites complete with a spectacular firework finish! For the finale, the orchestra will be joined by the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery Regiment in performing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Bring your radio for the live concert broadcast on KEYN 103.7.
• Textron Aviation Opening Night Fireworks, following the Twilight Pops Concert. Location: Viewing along the Arkansas River from Maple/Waterman to 1st St. Brought to you by The Buzz, KEYN, KFH, KNSS, Power 93.5, KSN & Parr Sound and Lighting. Enjoy breathtaking colors and sounds over downtown Wichita choreographed to a unique musical arrangement. Bring your radio and tune to KEYN for the live simulcast.
EVENTS FOR SATURDAY, June 1:
• Hot Air Balloons, 7 a.m. Launch location, south of RedGuard Stage. These majestic and colorful icons of the sky will float above the festival crowds just prior to the River Run. Subject to wind and weather conditions. Brought to you by Flight 100.5.
• Fidelity Bank River Run, 7-11:30 a.m. Location: RedGuard Stage Area. The largest foot race in Kansas is celebrating its 43nd anniversary in downtown Wichita! For complete information, visit RiverRunWichita.com. Sponsored by Fidelity Bank; AccuWeather; Black Hills Energy; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas; BNSF; Burgardt Liquor; Hall’s Culligan Water; Heartland Cocoa-Cola; IBEW, Local 271; Lane Enterprises; Marriott International; PrairieFire Coffee Roasters; Smithfield Foods; Wichita Eagle/Kansas.com; YMCA. Brought to you by Alt 107.3, B98 FM, The Bull, Channel 96.3 & KSN
• Marriott International 10K, Start Line: Waterman and Wichita. Start Time: 7:15 a.m.
• AccuWeather presents the Katie Partridge Memorial 5K Wheelchair Race, Starting Line: Waterman and Wichita. Start Time: 7:35 a.m.
• AccuWeather presents the Katie Partridge Memorial 5K, Start Line: Waterman and Wichita. Start Time: 7:40 a.m.
• YMCA 2-Mile Family Fun Walk/Jog, Start Line: Waterman and Wichita; Start Time: 9:15 a.m.
• Finish Line Celebration, 7-11 a.m. Location: RedGuard Stage Area. Runners can celebrate with a cold beverage courtesy of Burgardt Liquor and samples of Smithfield products while strolling through Runners Village. Sponsored by Smithfield Foods, BNSF Railway & Burgardt Liquor.
• Lane Enterprises Tot Trot, 10:30 a.m. Location: River Run Finish Line. A fun run for children ages 2 to 7. Competitors receive a medallion at the finish line. Registration includes a Tot Trot T-shirt and Riverfest button.
• Admirals’ Pancake Feed, 7:30-10 a.m. Location: RedGuard Stage Area. Thanks to the Past Admirals, you can start your day off with a piping hot breakfast of pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee for the low price of $5 for adults, served up with a dose of humor and some fancy pancake flipping!
• Project PopCon, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Location: Century II Expo Hall. Wichita’s own pop culture convention, Project PopCon is a collaboration of Air Capital Comic Con, Anime Fest Wichita and Midwest eSports. Brought to you by KWCH.
• Toy Train Display, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Location: Cox Kids Corner, presented by Wichita Toy Train Museum.
• Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Location: Exhibition Hall, Century II. Strawberry Swing is the midwest’s celebration of the handmade movement, showcasing high quality handmade goods.
• Bike ICT Art & Architecture Tour, 11 a.m. Location: Bike Valet at Ackerman’s Backyard.
• Walk ICT Ark River History Walk, 1-2 p.m. Location: Bike Valet at Ackerman’s Backyard.
• Lucha Libre Wrestling, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Location: RedGuard Stage Area. Who will win this match of masked luchadores? Expect to see some spectacular moves in this one-of-a-kind exhibition. Brought to you by Radio Lobo.
• Stock Tank Races, 2 p.m. Location: Arkansas River at Douglas Street Bridge. This event is one you won’t want to miss as teams race the Arkansas River in stock tanks! Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers as well as Best Decorated tank and costumes. To enter a team, visit WichitaRiverfest.com. Brought to you by KWLS.
• Jet Ski Racing: IJSBA 321 Kawasaki Extreme Watercross Championships, 3-9 p.m. Location: Arkansas River North of the Maple/Waterman Street Bridge. Head to the Arkansas River with your blanket and sunscreen to watch rounds one and two of the IJSBA 321 Kawasaki Extreme Watercross Championship. Racers from across the nation will be challenged by the most difficult course in this year’s series.
• The Mp3 Exeriment, 5 p.m. at an undisclosed location at the festival. More than a flash mob, a performance you can take part in! Visit WichitaRiverfest.com to learn how you can join the fun.
• Los Lobos Concert, 5:30-10 p.m. Location: Wichita Acura Dealers Stage on Kennedy Plaza. 6:30 p.m.: Sleepy Truckers; 8 p.m.: Delgado Brothers; 9:30 p.m.: Los Lobos. Brought to you by 104.5 The Fox, Radio Lobo and T95.
• DJ Takeover, 6:45 p.m. Location: Ackerman’s Backyard. Enjoy some of Wichita’s finest DJs while you watch the river roll by.
• ¡Viva Wichita! concert, 6-10 p.m. Location: RedGuard Stage. 6 p.m.: AYCCI Nortena, 7:15 p.m.: Lucio Molina y Sus Rivales, 8:45 p.m.: La Furia del Bravo. Brought to you by Radio Lobo.
• Hot Air Balloons, 6:30 p.m. Launch, 8:30 p.m. Glow. Location: South of RedGuard Stage. These majestic and colorful icons of the sky will fill the sky with color and the evening with light! Subject to wind and weather conditions. Brought to you by Flight 100.5
EVENTS FOR SUNDAY, June 2:
• STEAM Day, sponsored by Koch Industries: On Sunday we will celebrate the science, technology, engineering, arts and math that powered Wichita’s history and are fueling its future.
• Jet Ski Races: IJSBA 321 Kawasaki Extreme Watercross Championships, 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Location: Arkansas River North of the Maple/Waterman Street Bridge. Head to the Arkansas River with your blanket and sunscreen to watch round two of the IJSBA 321 Kawasaki Extreme Watercross Championships. Racers from across the nation will be challenged by the most difficult course in this year’s series.
• Project PopCon, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Location: Century II Expo Hall. Wichita’s own pop culture convention, Project PopCon combines Air Capital Comic Con, Anime Fest Wichita and Midwest eSports. Brought to you by KWCH.
• Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Fair, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Location: Exhibition Hall, Century II. Strawberry Swing is the midwest’s celebration of the handmade movement, showcasing high quality handmade goods.
• Toy Trains, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Location: Kids Corner, presented by Wichita Toy Train Museum. All aboard for this fun and fascinating display of toy trains.
• Bike ICT Art & Architecture Tour, 11 a.m. Location: Bike Valet-Ackerman’s Backyard. Brought to you by KMUW.
• SPIN*FEST, sponsored by Ascension Via Christi, 11 a.m. Location, RedGuard Stage Area. A unique outdoor spin class with all the fun, music and motivation of an outdoor ride.
• Celebrity Egg Toss, Noon. Location: Quantum Credit Union Food Court Stage. Local celebrities face off in this high-noon showdown with the winners claiming cash for the charity of their choice. Brought to you by The Big Talker KQAM 1480 AM and 102.5 FM.
• Riverfest Sandcastle Competition, Noon registration, 1-3 p.m. competition. Location: Main Street. Teams get two hours to create a design that reflects, resembles or looks something like a building, structure or iconic thing located in Wichita. To enter a team, visit WichitaRiverfest.com. Presented by AIA Wichita, sponsored by Beran Concrete.
• STEAM City, sponsored by Koch Industries, Noon- 5 p.m. Location: Main St., between Douglas Ave. and English. This is the place to explore, engage and experience the cool factors of science, technology, engineering, art and math. Come learn about and play with the gadgetry that fuels workforce creativity and innovation now and into the future.
• Drone Exhibition, Noon to 4 p.m. Location: South of the RedGuard Stage. Watch as drone pilots test their speed, agility and performance. Presented by River Rock Ranch.
• Young Lions Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course, noon to 4 p.m. Location: English and Main streets. One mile and ten obstacles make up this epic ninja warrior-style course event for youth ages 5-17. Register for this event at WichitaRiverfest.com. Presented by ShapeUsUp.
• Riverfest Beard & Mustache Contest, 1 p.m. Location: RedGuard Stage. Facial hair enthusiasts will face off in this 3rd-Annual Riverfest event. Women and kids, don’t think you are left out! There are creative categories that allow you to create fine, fake facial hair. Visit WichitaRiverfest.com to enter.
• Admirals Armada, 1-5 p.m. Location: Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum. Enjoy free admission to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum with your Riverfest button and discover Wichita and Riverfest history.
• Admirals Button Swap and Sale, 1-5 p.m., Location: Heritage Park behind the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum. Looking for a particular Riverfest button? Drop by the booth and purchase buttons from previous years to round out your collection. Join other Riverfest enthusiasts to swap buttons and stories about past festivals.
• Walk ICT Ark River History Walk, 1-2 p.m. Location: Bike Valet at Ackerman’s Backyard.
• Cardboard Regatta, 1:30-3 p.m.: Vessel Construction; 3-3:30 p.m.: Launch. Location: Douglas Street Bridge. Build a river-worthy vessel in 90 minutes or less with cardboard, duct tape, pool noodles and a box cutter. No team size limit, but at least one team member (ages 12 or older) must ride in the vessel. Awards for fastest time, best design and most spectacular sinking. Enter at WichitaRiverfest.com. $20 per team. Brought to you by 102.1 The Bull.
• Granger Smith Concert, sponsored by Star Lumber & Supply, 5-10 p.m. Location: Wichita Acura Dealers Stage; 4 p.m.: Kyle Killgore; 5:30 p.m.: Morrison County; 7:15 p.m.: Becca Mancari; 9 p.m.: Granger Smith. Brought to you by KFDI.
• River Blues Renewed with Marquise Knox, presented by Wichita Blues Society, 6:30-10 p.m. Location: RedGuard Stage. 6:30 p.m.: Macy Brothers; 8 p.m.: Marquise Knox. Brought to you by BOB-FM.
• DJ Takeover, 6:45 p.m. Location: Ackerman’s Backyard. Enjoy some of Wichita’s finest DJs while relaxing in Ackerman’s Backyard.
• Hot Air Balloons, 6:30 p.m. Launch. 8:30 p.m. Glow. Location: South of RedGuard Stage, brought to you by Flight 100.5. The spectacular launch of these colorful balloons at sunset is a Riverfest tradition not to be missed! Subject to wind and weather conditions.
• Riverfest Wing Eating Contest, 7-8 p.m. Location: Quantum Credit Union Food Court Stage, sponsored by Pizza Hut. Enter the wing eating contest for a chance to win great prizes, including cash! Open to the first 12 qualified participants who sign up.
The nine-day festival takes place May 31-June 8 in downtown Wichita. Celebrating its 48th year, the festival offers a wide range of entertainment for all ages, including concerts, sports activities, fireworks, contests, the Cox Kids’ Corner and much more. Riverfest admission buttons are available at area QuikTrip stores 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. Buttons will be available at the door starting May 31. VIP upgrades are available for specific concerts.
Special thanks to our official Riverfest sponsors for 2019: Bud Light, Decker Electric, Metro Courier, Parr Sound & Lighting, PrairieLand Partners, RedGuard SiteBox, Spot’s Party Bus, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Van Horn Promotion & 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 & 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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