What to do this weekend: Riverfest finale, Kids Day at farmers market; barbecue festival
Wichita, you have no excuse not to get outdoors this weekend. In addition to the Wichita Riverfest finale, which will offer fireworks, concerts and more, the calendar also includes a barbecue festival in Derby, ballet in the park and Kids Day at the Kansas Grown farmers market.
Here’s a look at some of the fun activities happening in and around Wichita:
Riverfest finale
Friday and Saturday, downtown Wichita
The Wichita Riverfest will end its nine-day run on Saturday, but there’s still plenty of fun left to be had. Among the weekend’s highlights: the all-day Fiesta Del Rio party from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, a classic car show both Friday and Saturday, and a concert by The Family Stone followed by the fireworks finale on Saturday evening. All Wichita Riverfest activities take place downtown around Century II and the Arkansas River. Admission is a $15 button ($5 for kids) sold on site. For a full Riverfest schedule visit, wichitariverfest.com
Kids Day at the farmers market
7 a.m.-noon Saturday, Kansas Grown farmers market, 7001 W. 21st St.
The Kansas Grown farmers market, which happens every Saturday at the Sedgwick County Extension Center, will put on its annual Kids Day this weekend. The market, which lasts from 7 a.m. to noon, will offer free doughnuts, face painting, a fire truck to explore, balloon animals, a kids’ planting event and the market’s first ever petting zoo. Admission and activities are free.
Derby barbecue festival
6-10 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. Saturday, High Park, 2801 E. James St., Derby
Derby’s Smoke on the Plains BBQ and Music Fest is back for its 11th year, and the fun happens Friday and Saturday at Derby’s High Park. The festival will include food trucks serving smoked food items, live music, cornhole tournaments, barbecue cook-offs, activities for the kids and more. New this year: an ’80s big hair contest on Saturday evening. Hours for the festival are 6-10 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free, but barbecue tasting kits, food and drink will be available for purchase. For a full schedule of events, visit derbybbq.com
Ballet in the Park is back
Friday through Sunday, various local parks
Ballet Wichita’s Ballet in the Park is back with a newly commissioned ballet called “Tom Sawyer,” based on Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” Dancers will perform the ballet at parks all over the area from Friday through Sunday, including at 7 p.m. Friday at Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas; at 10 a.m. Saturday at Andover Capitol Federal Amphitheater, 1607 E. Central Ave., and at 2 p.m. Saturday at Wichita State University’s Duerksen Amphitheater, 2102 N. Hillside. The last performance will be at 7 p.m. Sunday at Riggs Park in Haysville, 706 Sarah Lane. Admission is free.
Return of WWE
6:30 p.m. Monday, Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman
WWE Monday Night RAW returns to Wichita’s Intrust Bank Arena on Monday and will feature a women’s championship match between Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch, and appearances by other WWE stars such as Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles, Rhea Ripley and Seth “Freakin” Rollins. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the action starts 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $100 and are available at selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
Hangar Hangout
3-6 p.m. Saturday, Stearman Airfield, Benton
Junior League of Wichita is putting on a new fundraising event called Hangar Hangout on Saturday, and it will allow people to get a behind-the-scenes look at homes and hangars at Stearman Airfield in Benton. Attendees can also see aircraft both on the ground and in flight and visit pop-up shops by local businesses. The event will also include a party with drinks, hors d’oeuvres and live music. Tickets are $55 for adults and $25 for children ages 2-12 at www.jlwichita.org
Concerts announced this week
Wichita’s many music venues were busy announcing new shows this week. Here’s a look at the additions made to Wichita’s concert calendar:
Dave Mason, July 13, TempleLive, tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com
Dustin Lynch, July 15, Stiefel Theatre, Salina, tickets at www.stiefeltheatre.org
Dizzy Wright, July 23, TempleLive, tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com
Chris D’Elia, Aug. 27, Orpheum Theatre, tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday at www.selectaseat.com
The Luka State, Sept. 29, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
Dead Boys with The Briefs and Suzi Moon, Oct. 11, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com
Wednesday 13, Oct. 16, TempleLive, tickets available at 9 a.m. Friday at www.ticketmaster.com
Chonda Pierce, Oct. 21, Orpheum Theatre, tickets on sale 11 a.m. Friday at www.selectaseat.com
Blue October, Nov. 13, Orpheum Theatre, tickets on sale 10 a.m. June 17 at www.selectaseat.com