Riverfest buttons now on sale for last year’s price. After May 5, they go up to $15
%20(1).jpg "The regular price for an adult button at this year’s Wichita Riverfest will increase from $10 to $15. They’ll be for sale at last year’s price, though, through May 5.")
Wichita Riverfest adult buttons will go up in price this year for the first time since 2015.
But if people buy them during the early-bird period, which starts today and runs through May 5, they’ll still be able to pay the old price of $10 for adults.
On Monday, the festival kicked off its early button sales and shared that the regular price for adult buttons will go up from $10 to $15 this year. Child buttons, good for ages 6-12, will stay $5 no matter when they’re purchased. Children 5 and under will be admitted free.
The price hike was necessary, said the festival’s new President and CEO Nancy Duling, because the cost of everything has gone up.
“It’s just like with everything: All of our prices have gone up with inflation, and we are just seeing increases from our vendors, from the stage to the sound system. Every conversation we have, there is an increase.”
This year’s 50th annual Wichita Riverfest is scheduled for June 3 to 11.
The early bird adult buttons will be for sale for $10 starting today at all Meineke Car Care Center locations in Wichita, Derby and Hutchinson. Early-bird shoppers also can pick up $5 child buttons.
After May 5, the price goes up on adult buttons, and they’ll be for sale at area QuikTrip stores.
Early-bird and full-price buttons also will be available at the Wichita Festivals office at 444 E. William.
The last time the Riverfest button price increased was seven years ago, when it rose from $5 to $10. Before that, the $5 price tag had been in place for a decade.
This year’s button price boost will mark the fifth time the price has increased since the festival opened with a $1 button in 1970. The price increased to $2 in 1990, then rose to $3 in 2000. In 2006, citing increasing entertainment costs, festival organizers raised the button price to $5.
Wichita Festivals also on Monday also announced a few details of this year’s festival, which will include a visit from the Budweiser Clydesdales, the return of the Sundown Parade, the fireworks and more.
This story was originally published April 18, 2022 at 4:45 PM.
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