Landscape photo show by Eagle photojournalist shines spotlight on Kansas beauty

The first weekend of October will be packed with some of Wichita’s favorite events. Not only is it First Friday weekend, meaning lots of local galleries will be opening new shows, but Wichita can also experience the return of Exploration Place’s Drone Light Festival, the Kansas Humane Society’s Woofstock event, and the return of the shopping extravaganza Holiday Galleria at Century II.

Here are more details on those events:

It’s First Friday

Friday evening, galleries across Wichita

First Friday is already back, and as usual, Wichita will be filled with art openings at galleries across town. One of this month’s shows is titled “A Land Unsung” and features Kansas landscape photography by Wichita Eagle photojournalist Travis Heying. He will be displaying and selling framed photos he’s captured over the years that display the state’s natural beauty. The show lasts from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at The Landmark Lounge, the venue at 142 N. Emporia, and will include free refreshments. For a complete list of Final Friday shows, visit downtownwichita.org/discover/things-to-see-and-do/first-friday

Return of the Drones

6-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean

Exploration Place’s big Drone Light Festival returns this weekend, and the highlight will be 400 synchronized drones floating in formation over the Arkansas River, forming various shapes. This year’s show will be choreographed to the music of John Williams, who wrote the scores for movies like “Harry Potter,” Superman” and Star Wars.” Shows will be staged on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 p.m., but the festival lasts each night from 6 to 10 p.m. and also will include live music by The Nailbiters at 6:30 p.m., access to more than 20 food trucks and a free laser show inside the museum. Tickets are $20 for an individual or $75 for a carload of up to nine people. Attendees also can reserve chairs at Exploration Place’s Riverfront Amphitheater for $2 a person. Get tickets at exploration.org/tickets/ The show will be launched from the Mid-America All-Indian Museum grounds and will be centered over the Keeper of the Plains.

Woofstock 2025

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sedgwick County Park, 6501 W. 21st St.

The 29th annual Woofstock, an event that bills itself as the biggest dog festival in the Midwest, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Sedgwick County Park. Woofstock, a fundraiser for the Kansas Humane Society, will include an agility course, pet-friendly vendors, a costume contest, food trucks, a beer garden and live music. The event also will feature a limited supply of free microchips and vaccinations for dogs. Tickets are $15, $5 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and under. A $30 VIP ticket includes a T-shirt, tote bag and doggy bandanna, and a $40 ticket includes all of that plus access to a 9 a.m. walk and breakfast for people and dogs. Tickets are available at kshumane.org and at the gate.

Holiday Galleria

Friday-Sunday, Century II Expo Hall, 225 W. Douglas

Holiday Galleria, The Junior League’s annual shopping event, returns this weekend and will feature a long list of regional and national vendors set up in the Century II Expo Hall. This year marks 20 years for the fundraising event, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. General admission tickets for ages 13 and over are $12.25. There will also be a Girls Night Out party for ages 21 and over that lasts from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday and requires a separate ticket that costs $35.25. Educators, members of the military and healthcare workers with ID get in free on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available at www.selectaseat.com or by phone at 316-755-7328. They’ll also be available at the door.

Two nights, two tributes

8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas

Wichita’s Crown Uptown Theatre will be home this weekend to two tribute acts. On Friday, Ozzy Osbourne tribute act Ozzolution will perform at 8 p.m. and will recreate the late rocker’s library of hits. Then, on Saturday, singer Shelly Phelps will appear on the stage as Patsy Cline. For both shows, doors will open at 7 p.m., and the music will start at 8 p.m. Tickets for each show are $23-$30 at ticketmaster.com