The Wichita Riverfest has chosen its 47th Admiral Windwagon Smith
The Wichita Riverfest has a new admiral.
On Wednesday, longtime festival volunteer and sponsor Clay Bastian — who spent his career at his family’s Fidelity Bank — was named the festival’s 47th Admiral Windwagon Smith and will serve as the event’s ceremonial leader when it returns in May. He’ll work as an ambassador, wearing the traditional red nautical coat and captain’s hat, and will make appearances at nearly every event.
Bastian, who retired from Fidelity in 2018, worked in marketing, real estate, tax management, capital markets financing and regulatory liaisons for 38 years.
His involvement with the festival started when he helped organize the Fidelity-sponsored Riverbank Jazz concerts from 1991 to 1995. In 2008, he joined the festival’s Board of Directors and went on to serve as board chair in 2011.
He’s been a member of the festival’s elite Operations Committee, whose members are better known as the Red Shirts, since 2012 and has served on many committees.
Bastian, a Wichita native and the youngest of three siblings, has been married to wife, Kate, for 33 years, and they have a son and daughter. He’s a motorcycle enthusiast who loves jazz music.
His admiral-ship was announced Wednesday afternoon at Shift Auto Society, 406 S. Market.
The identity of the newest Windwagon Smith is kept secret for weeks every year after he or she is chosen by past admirals. Bastian succeeds last year’s admiral, retired police captain Ken Atnip.
This year’s Riverfest will run from May 29 to June 6, and admission will be a Riverfest button. Adult buttons, for ages 13 and up, will be available for $7 during an online pre-sale happening now at WichitaRiverfest2020.eventbrite.com. The buttons will be available for in-person purchasing at the early-bird price from April 10 to May 2 at Meineke Car Care Centers. Starting May 3, the button price will go up to $10 and they’ll be available at area QuikTrip stores. Buttons for ages 6-12 are $5, and children ages 5 and younger will be admitted for free.
This story was originally published March 4, 2020 at 4:41 PM.
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