Wichita Riverfest reveals identity of its 48th Admiral Windwagon Smith
The Wichita Riverfest revealed the identity of its next Admiral Windwagon Smith on Thursday, and he’s a well-known local businessman.
Barry Schwan, the president and owner of House of Schwan Inc., will don the traditional red coat worn by the ceremonial figurehead when the festival returns for a traditional nine-day run June 3-11. Schwan will be the 48th admiral and was chosen for the role by past admirals.
Schwan’s selection, which was secret until Thursday, was revealed at an event at Wave, the music venue at 650 E. Second St.
House of Schwan, a local beer and liquor wholesaler, was founded in 1960 by Schwan’s father, Barney, and has been a major Riverfest sponsor for 50 consecutive years.
Schwan also serves on the boards of directors of the Wichita State University Foundation and at the Sedgwick County Zoological Society. In the past, has acted as board chair for groups including the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Humane Society, Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission, the Wichita Children’s Home, WSU Foundation and more.
He’s been married to Cindy Schwan for 42 years and is a father and grandfather.
Schwan’s Riverfest duties will include speaking to civic organizations and visiting events throughout the festival’s run. He’ll be joined by the 2022 Prairie Schooner Mates, a group of high school juniors selected by their respective high schools to serve as youth representatives for Riverfest. Their names and high schools can be found below.
Schwan is taking over the role from retired Fidelity Bank executive Clay Bastian, who was chosen as 2020’s Admiral then asked to serve again in 2021 after the pandemic canceled the previous year’s event for the first time ever.
The festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.
2022 Prairie Schooner Mates
Francisco Arreola – Wichita Heights High School
Baxter Berry – Andover Central High School
Marcus Blackman – Wichita Southeast High School
April Burnett – Mulvane High School
Israel Cervantes– Wichita West High School
Rhian Collins – Bishop Carroll
Camden Curry– Andover High School
Piper Eckhart – Sunrise Christian Academy
Sterling Fanning – Maize High School
Raena Ford – Wichita Northwest High School
Brookyln Freund– Eisenhower High School
Jamillete Garcia – Wichita North High School
Liyah Huynh – Valley Center High School
Olivia Kirera – Maize South High School
Chance Koopmann– Maize South High School
Joseph Kotkin – Wichita Collegiate
Peter Mander – Pratt High School
Elizabeth Maxwable – Wichita East High School
Mehala Muthukumar – Independent School
Lisa Nguyen – Wichita South High School
Samuel Onken – Derby High School
Jade Simeona – Goddard High School
Steph Stevens – Andover Central High School
Addison Swinger – Campus High School
Ivalea Tien – Circle High School
Sloan Vazer – Kapaun Mt. Carmel
Bowe Warner – Trinity Academy
Gabriel Williams – Northeast Magnet
This story was originally published March 10, 2022 at 4:30 PM.
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