Gospelfest starring Yolanda Adams kicks off a week of music and fun for everyone
WICHITA, Kan., June 2, 2019 – Despite a swollen river, nearly 200,000 people attended the first three days of Riverfest, Kansas’ largest community event, to enjoy beautiful weather and dozens of dry land and indoor events. A new parade route drew 45,000 people to the Safelite AutoGlass Sundown Parade on opening day, registration for Fidelity Bank River Run on June 1 was up 25% over 2018, and large crowds gathered to enjoy STEAM City Presented by Koch Industries, Project PopCon, Riverfest Cornhole Tournament, Strawberry Swing Indie Craft Market, Young Lions Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course, and other new and traditional events. Throughout the week, the Riverfest team will continue to monitor river conditions with the hope that river events can take place later in the festival.
Monday kicks off a new week of music and fun, including the highly anticipated Gospelfest, starring the “First Lady of Modern Gospel,” Yolanda Adams. An American gospel singer, record producer, actress, and radio host of her own nationally syndicated morning gospel show, Adams has sold 4.5 million albums in the United States, (nearly eight million worldwide) and is a winner of multiple Grammy, Stellar and Dove Awards. Gospelfest, which begins at 6 p.m. on Riverfest’s Wichita Acura Dealers Stage, also brings together local musicians, choirs, and performing groups for an inspiring evening of celebration.
Riverfest continues this week with events for all ages and interests, and star-studded concerts, all included with a $10 admission button for adults or $5 button for kids ages 6 to 12. The festival’s events and attractions are outlined at wichitariverfest.com. Festival attendees can also download the Wichita Riverfest 2019 mobile app sponsored by Westar Energy, for Apple and Android phones, to find updated concert times and event schedules.
EVENTS FOR MONDAY, June 3:
• Matinee Movie, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Location: Quantum Credit Union Food Court. Start your week off with family-friendly cartoons and shorts, and your favorite food court lunch.
• Gospelfest featuring Yolanda Adams, 6-9:30 p.m. Location: Wichita Acura Dealers Stage at Kennedy Plaza. A community choir join will kick off this celebration of praise, culminating in a performance by gospel legend Yolanda Adams. Sponsored by Westar Energy, Spirit AeroSystems, Cox Business, and It Takes a Village. Brought to you by Great Plains TV, KMUW and The Community Voice.
• Heavy Metal Karaoke, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Location: RedGuard Stage. Just what it sounds like—karaoke with a focus on hard-rocking classics—hosted by Marta McKim. Brought to you by T95 and 104.5 The Fox
EVENTS FOR TUESDAY, June 4
A Salute to Military Day: All active personnel with military I.D. get in free today. It’s our way of saying thank you for their service to our country.
• Wichita Children’s Theatre & Dance Center presents “Little Red Hen,” 3:15 and 4:15 p.m. Location: Mary Jane Teall Theatre. Live theater fun for little ones! Sponsored by Lane Enterprises/McDonalds
• Walk ICT Veterans Park Tour, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Location: Bike Valet @ Ackerman’s Backyard. Visit Veteran’s Park and see the statues and sculptures honoring the brave men and women who have protected our freedom throughout U.S. history. Presented by Bike Walk Wichita.
• Kansas Army National Guard Concert, 6-9:30 p.m. Location: RedGuard Stage. Enjoy an evening of outstanding music by a variety of Kansas Army National Guard Bands. Sponsored by Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Johnson Controls. Brought to you by KWLS.
• Festival of Broadway, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Location: Wichita Acura Dealers Stage at Kennedy Plaza. Festival of Broadway returns with performances by Music Theatre Wichita, Roxy’s Downtown, Mosley Street Melodrama and Laughing Feet Performers. Brought to you by B98 FM.
• For Your Amusement: The Wonderland Park on Ackerman Island, 7:30-8 p.m. Location: A screening of this documentary short about Wichita’s first amusement park with an intro by the filmmaker.
• A Salute to Military, 8 p.m. Location: RedGuard Stage. A tribute to our armed forces. Sponsored by Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Johnson Controls and brought to you by KWLS & Great Plains Television.
EVENTS FOR WEDNESDAY, June 5:
• 1 Million Cups, 8:30-10 a.m. Location: Quantum Credit Union Food Court. Coffee, conversation and entrepreneurs – come learn what is brewing in Wichita!
• Wichita Toy Train Club & Museum, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Location: 130 S. Laura. This little gem of a museum brings the joys of Lionel, American Flyer, K-Line and other toy trains to life for visitors.
• Wichita Children’s Theatre & Dance Center presents “Little Red Hen,” 3:15 and 4:15 p.m. Location: Mary Jane Teall Theatre. Live theater fun for little ones! Sponsored by Lane Enterprises/McDonalds.
• Wet n’ Wild Splash Party, 5-7:30 p.m. Location: Kennedy Plaza. A variety of water inflatables to keep your cool. Brought to you by Channel 96.3.
• Talib Kweli Concert, 5:15-10 p.m. Location: Wichita Acura Dealers Stage at Kennedy Plaza. 5:15 p.m.: DJ Carbon, 7:30 p.m.: XV, 9 p.m.: Talib Kweli
• CNH Industrial Buckaroo Buckarette Rodeo, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Location: Cox Kids Corner. Celebrating 16 years of bringing the thrill of riding, roping, panning for gold and other fun activities to Riverfest for children ages 2-10. Brought to you by 102.1 The Bull.
• Hiland Dairy-Wichita Wagonmasters Ice Cream Sandwich Charity Challenge, 6 p.m. Location: Douglas Avenue. Three local charity contestants will go sandwich-to-sandwich in this race, competing on behalf of their charity organization for $1,000 in prize money. Sponsored by Hiland Dairy and Wichita Wagonmasters. Brought to you by Channel 96.3.
• Jerrod Niemann Concert, 5:15-10 p.m. Location: RedGuard Stage. 6 p.m.: Piper Leigh; 7:15 p.m.: Mountain Deer Revival; 9 p.m.: Jerrod Niemann. Brought to you by 102.1 The Bull
• Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Social, 6:30-8 p.m. Location: Douglas Avenue. Enjoy a complimentary bowl of Hiland Dairy ice cream served by the Wichita Wagonmasters. Brought to you by Channel 96.3.
• Portrait with the Admiral XLVI, 7-8 p.m. Location: Kennedy Plaza. Get a snapshot with Admiral Windwagon XLVI Ken Atnip, free with your Riverfest button.
The 48th Riverfest takes place Friday, May 31 through June 8 and offers a wide range of entertainment for all ages. Riverfest admission buttons are available – $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12 – at QuikTrip stores. Official Riverfest 2019 sponsors include Bud Light, Spot’s Party Bus, Decker Electric, RedGuard SiteBox, PrairieLand Partners, Parr Sound & Lighting, Metro Courier, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, 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), Autumn & Art at Bradley Fair (September 13-15, 2019) and Bob Struble Memorial Golf Tournament (September 6, 2019). For more information, contact Teri Mott at (316) 267-2817 or teri@wichitafestivals.com.
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