What to do in Wichita this weekend: big car show, country concerts, free museum entry
Wichita’s big January car show returns to Century II this weekend after a 2021 COVID-19 break, and that’s just one of the fun events happening in town this weekend.
Fun-seekers can also catch a couple of country music concerts, see a comedy show and visit two local museums for free.
Here’s some of what’s going on this weekend in Wichita:
Cars for Charities returns
Friday through Sunday, Century II Exhibition Hall, 225 W. Douglas
The annual Cars for Charities Rod & Custom Car Show, which skipped last year because of COVID-19, returns to the Century II Convention Center this weekend for three days of car viewing, kids activities and more. The event, now in its 65th year, is one of the longest-running indoor car shows in the country and was started by Darryl Starbird in 1957. This year’s event will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Money raised will benefit Starkey and AbilityPoint. Admission to the show is $14 for adults, $8 for ages 12-17 and free for children 11 and younger. Tickets can be purchased online at wichitatix.com, and discount tickets are available at local QuikTrip stores. For more information, visit carsforcharitiesshow.com
Free Sundays at historical museum
1-5 p.m. Sundays, 204 S. Main
Sunday admission to the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum is free on Sundays in 2022 thanks to a donation from the Ruth Spooner Stone Charitable Trust. Those who visit will find dozens of exhibits that detail the city’s and county’s histories, including a replica of several rooms of a typical Victorian home set up on the third floor. The museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. It’s also open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, when admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children and free for members.
Flea market returns to Wichita
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Farha Sports Center at the South Wichita YMCA, 3405 S. Meridian
The Wichita Flea Market will put on its first event at its new location this weekend. The market, which has been set up at the Kansas Star Casino since 2019, will open this weekend at the Farha Sports Center at the South Wichita YMCA. To celebrate the move, the first 50 shoppers on Saturday will get in free to peruse more than 200 booths offering antiques, collectibles, crafts and more. Captain America will be at the market from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, and Cinderella will be there from noon to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. One-day tickets are $3, and two-day tickets are $5. Ages 12 and under will be admitted free. Tickets are available at the door.
Casey Donahew in concert
8 p.m. Saturday, Cotillion, 11125 W. Kellogg
Casey Donahew Band, a popular country music touring act that has produced dozens of hit singles like “Let’s Make A Love Song,” will perform a concert at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Cotillion. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the opening act will be Chris Colston. Tickets are $27 and available at thecotillion.com
Janie Fricke at the Stockyards
7 p.m. Saturday, 6251 W. MacArthur Road
Country legend Janie Fricke, known for 1980s country radio hits like “Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Baby,” “Tell Me a Lie” and “Your Heart’s Not in It,” will perform on Saturday at Wichita Union Stockyards. The show starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are $35 at www.kwlsradio.com
Art After Hours
5-8 p.m. Friday, Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd.
The Wichita Art Museum’s installment of Art After Hours this month happens from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday and will offer visitors a last chance to see the exhibit “B.J.O. Nordfeldt: American Internationalist” before it closes on Sunday. During the event, the Museum Store will be open, and the Muse Cafe will offer a cash bar in addition to dinner and dessert service. (Dinner reservations are required at 316-268-4973.) Admission to Art After Hours is free. Face masks are required.
Comedy tour
7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, The Orpheum, 200 N. Broadway
Standup comedian Nate Bargatze will bring The Raincheck Tour to Wichita next week for a two-night engagement. Bargatze, known for his Netflix special “The Greatest Average American,” will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at The Orpheum. Tickets are $69.75 at www.selectaseat.com, by calling 316-755-7328 or at the Select-A-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
This story was originally published January 14, 2022 at 5:00 AM.