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14 fun things to do in the Wichita area this weekend (March 19-20, 2016)

Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine is opening its gates early this spring, because the tulips and other flowers are blooming early.
Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine is opening its gates early this spring, because the tulips and other flowers are blooming early. Courtesy photo

Spring officially arrives at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, even though we’ve been celebrating a while already, and the weather in the meantime has taken a definite wintertime turn. Here are some things to do this weekend in the Wichita area to end spring break on a high note.

Harvey County Home and Garden Show, farmers market, home and garden exhibitors, plant suppliers, home and garden seminars, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, kids can make a mini scarecrow at 2 p.m. both days, National Guard Armory at 400 Grandview in Newton; $1 admission.

United Kennel Club dog show, 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sedgwick County Fairgrounds 4-H Building, 215 E. South St. in Cheney; free; www.facebook.com/WichitaDogOwnerGroup.

Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine is open for early-blooming tulips and other flowers, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 301 N. Line St.; $5 donation requested; www.bartlettarboretum.com.

Bunny Blast & Egg Hunt, kids ages 2 through 10 can bring a basket for egg hunts with their age group, plus photos with Easter bunny, jelly-bean-guessing contest, miniature golf, inflatables, Touch a Truck, Egg Foosball, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, O.J. Watson Park, 3022 S. McLean Blvd.; $5 per car; 316-529-9940.

Easter Eggstravaganza for kids, featuring bunny-hop dancing, arts and crafts, and face painting, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg; free.

Blues and BBQ, music by Moreland & Arbuckle, Hamilton Loomis and Lauren Anderson, food from Pig In Pig Out, silent auction, hosted by comedian Dan “The Man” to benefit the Boy Scouts, 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Crown Uptown Theatre, 3207 E. Douglas; $20 show only, $30 dinner and show, $50 VIP, eventbrite.com.

Young, Gifted and Black Gospel Choir from Grinnell College in Iowa, 7 p.m. Saturday, Salvation Army, 1910 S. Everett; free.

Wichita Thunder vs. Missouri Mavericks hockey, 7:05 p.m. Saturday and 5:05 p.m. Sunday, Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman; $9 to $34; intrustbankarena.com; 316-755-7328, www.selectaseat.com.

Messiah Festival of the Arts in Lindsborg: “The Christians” play by Lucas Hnath, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Burnett Center at Bethany College, 335 E. Swensson in Lindsborg, $15 at the door; “A Musical Tribute to Dr. Walter Pelz,” works by the composer and narration about his life, 3 p.m. Sunday, Presser Hall at Bethany College, $22 and $25; 785-227-3380, ext. 8229; www.messiahfestival.org.

Food Trucks at the Fountain, including live music and more than 20 food trucks, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, preceded by free yoga class at 10 a.m., WaterWalk, 515 S. Main.

Meet the Breeds, featuring more than 20 dog breeds, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Century II, 225 W. Douglas; free.

Big-band jazz concert by the Delano Jazz Orchestra, 3 p.m. Sunday, West Side Baptist Church, 304 S. Seneca; free, with donations accepted.

Pianist Svetlana Smolina as part of the El Dorado Community Concert Series, 3 p.m. Sunday, El Dorado High School Auditorium, 401 McCollum Road in El Dorado; $45, $10 students; 316-321-6742, www.eldoradokscca.org.

The Cult post-punk band in Salina, 8 p.m. Sunday, Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe in Salina; $49 to $67; 785-827-1998, ticketmaster.com.

This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 2:52 PM with the headline "14 fun things to do in the Wichita area this weekend (March 19-20, 2016)."

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