What to do in Wichita this weekend: New Year’s Day exercise, last chance for lights

Now that 2021 is nearly behind us, it’s time to start having some 2022-style fun. This weekend in Wichita will feature some last-chance opportunities to see some holiday lights, a final chance to visit a popular astronaut exhibit, and several options for getting active on New Year’s Day.

And the coming week will feature a couple of chances to support local thespians, including a group of local high school students raising money to register for the state thespian conference.

Following are details on how to have some fun in Wichita this weekend and into next week:

New Year’s Day float

2 p.m. Saturday, Arkansas River

The Arkansas River Coalition is putting on its annual two-mile New Year’s Float on Saturday. Participants are encouraged to dress in colorful clothes, hats and gloves and to decorate their kayaks and canoes with flags and colorful items. Those who don’t have boats but want to participate can reserve one by contacting float leader Kevin Holman at kbholman@sbcglobal.net or by calling 316-204-6324. Floaters will meet at the southeast corner of the Old Cowtown Museum parking lot launch site, 1865 W. Museum Blvd., at 2 p.m. A shuttle of vehicles will be arranged. All participants must have a signed waiver and release of liability to participate. The forms can be found at www.arkrivercoalition.org/waiver-forms.html. The event is free, but a $15 donation is suggested when using ARC supplies or equipment.

New Year’s day hike

9 a.m. Saturday, Great Plains Nature Center

A New Year’s Day hike in Wichita can help locals get moving into 2022. Women Hiking KS and Beyond is hosting a hike designated for women and girls of all ages at the Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 E. 29th St. North. Hikers will meet in the parking lot at 9 a.m. on Saturday and will be sent off to hike the trails of their choice. Admission is free but a $2 donation per hiker is suggested.

‘Bonnie & Clyde’

7 p.m. Tuesday, Northeast Magnet High School, 5550 N. Lycee

Northeast Magnet High School’s production of the musical “Bonnie & Clyde” — which originally was staged in November at the school — was recently chosen as the top high school musical in Kansas for 2021, a feat not achieved by a USD 259 school in more than 20 years. To help cover costs to stage the show at the finale of the Kansas Thespian Festival at Century II on Jan. 8, the school is putting on an encore fundraiser performance on Tuesday. It’ll start at 7 p.m. at the high school at 5550 N. Lycee in Bel Aire, and tickets are $20. They’re available at mypamentplus.com. (First register, then select Wichita Public USD 259 and search for “Bonnie & Clyde.”) The show, rated PG-13, includes real Model A cars loaned by members of the Wichita Model A Car Club and also features a live student orchestra.

Last chance for Illuminations

5:30-9 p.m. Friday, Botanica, 701 N. Amidon

This weekend is your last chance to visit Illuminations at Botanica, 701 N. Amidon. The annual light show, which features more than two million lights and several over-the-top displays, closes for the season after Saturday. It’ll be open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday; Saturday’s show was canceled because of weather. Tickets with designated times must be purchased in advance at botanica.com/illuminations. For more information, call 316-264-0448.

Last chance for ‘Astronaut’

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean

Exploration Place’s “Astronaut” exhibit is about to leave Wichita’s orbit, and its last day open will be Sunday. It features 26 hands-on exhibits that show the physical and psychological aspects of space travel, and it also offers teamwork challenges where visitors have to accurately complete tasks like communicating with mission control or monitoring damage on a spacecraft. The hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Tickets are $11.50 for ages 12-64, $10 for ages 65 and older, $8 for ages 3-11, and free for ages 2 and under and members.

‘Five Course Love’

Opens Thursday at Roxy’s Downtown, 412 1/2 E. Douglas Ave.

Roxy’s Downtown is launching its first production of the new year on Thursday: a comedy called “Five Course Love.” In the play, three actors will play 15 different characters and visit five restaurants on their quest to find love. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 23. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at www.roxysdowntown.com