Automobilia has moved, but the summer car show will go on this weekend.
The big summer car show that always draws people to downtown Wichita is happening again this year, but it’s later than usual and is moving to a new spot.
Automobilia happens on Saturday and will again line Douglas with classic cars and live music. But it will be farther east than people are used to.
It’s one of many fun things happening this weekend and into next week in Wichita. Keep reading for details about some of those events.
Return of Automobilia
4-10 p.m. Saturday, Douglas from Washington to Grove
Automobilia — the annual car show that has always happened in Old Town Wichita — has moved this year. It will happen from 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday but organizers this year will set it up on Douglas from Washington Street east to Grove. In addition to more than 1,000 cars on display, the event will feature three food courts, several live bands, a “Miss Moonlight” contest and a model car contest. The show will start with a vehicle parade from East High School on to Douglas Avenue at 4 p.m. and will conclude with a fireworks show that starts at 9:50 p.m. Admission is free. For more information and a map of the show, visit kansascarshows.com
First Friday
5-9 p.m. Friday, Envision Ats Gallery, 801 E. Douglas
Friday is First Friday in Wichita, meaning that art galleries around town will be opening new shows and putting on receptions. One of them will be the Envision Arts Gallery, which will open a show by visually impaired painter George Mendoza titled “Colors in the Wind.” It will include 39 large paintings, and Mendoza will speak about the exhibit. People who visit the opening reception from 5 to 9 p.m. also will be able to create their own art. Admission is free. A selection of prints from this exhibition will be available for purchase.
Last chance to see ‘Matilda’
Friday-Sunday, Century II Concert Hall, 225 W. Douglas
The last chance to see Music Theatre Wichita’s production of “Matilda,” a musical based on Roald Dahl’s children’s book about a 5-year-old girl who has unkind adults in her life but fights back with her power of telekinesis, is this weekend. The show stars an 11-year-old actress from Overland Park in the title role. The remaining shows this weekend are at 8 p.m. Friday, at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at Century II’s Concert Hall. Tickets are $26-$76, at mtwichita.org, by phone at 316-265-3107 or at the Century II box office.
Piano Men
8 p.m. Sunday, The Cotillion, 11125 W. Kellogg
The latest tribute act to visit Wichita is called Piano Men: Generations and it stars father-and-son duo Terry and Nick Davies bringing to life the music of Billy Joel and Elton John. The Davies will perform the stars’ biggest hits. The show is at 8 p.m. on Sunday at The Cotillion. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $48-$68 at thecotillion.com
Rock ‘n’ Roll Birthday Bash
6 p.m. Tuesday, Park City Arena, 8151 N. Hartman Arena Drive, Park City
This year’s T-95 Birthday Bash will feature rock bands I Prevail (“Here’s To Us”) and Halestorm (“Freak Like Me”), with opening acts Hollywood Undead and Fit for a King. The show happens on Tuesday at Park City Arena. It starts at 6 p.m., but doors open at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $45-$62 at www.ticketmaster.com
Back to the ’90s
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wave, 650 E. Second St.
Two bands that were big in the 1990s — Blues Traveler (“Run-Around”) and Big Head Todd and the Monsters (“Bittersweet”) — will be in Wichita on Tuesday for a concert at Wave. The show, part of the groups’ “Blue Monsters” tour, starts at 7:30 p.m., and doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to the show, which will happen in the outdoor part of the venue, are $59-$95 at www.waveict.com
This story was originally published August 2, 2024 at 5:03 AM with the headline "Automobilia has moved, but the summer car show will go on this weekend.."