Batman to be headliner at this year’s KidFest

Batman will be in Wichita on Saturday at Kidfest, the annual festival for children that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

“This is the official licensed Batman, from DC Comics,” said Kevin Regan, owner of Regan Productions of Wichita, which puts on the event. “He’s the headliner.”

Kids will be able to meet Batman at the event that runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in Century II Expo Hall, 225 W. Douglas. They’ll also be able to play on inflatables, get their faces painted and learn safety from the people who help keep all of us safe. In the meantime, their parents will be able to shop and find out about activities for their children in Wichita.

KidFest is designed to be affordable, Regan said.

“That’s the question a lot of people have,” he said, whether they have to pay for their kids to play on the inflatables and for everything else along the way. But adults and kids over age 10 pay $6; younger kids get in for $2 or for free if their parents pick up passes at Kwik Shop stores.

The event draws 5,000 to 6,000 people a year.

“You can buy some high-end face painting, but there’s free face-painting, too,” Regan said. His Regan Productions also puts on such events as Inflate-a-Fest and the Fit for Life Expo. Packet pickup for those running in the Prairie Fire Spring Half Marathon on Sunday will also be during KidFest. About 30 percent of the runners bring their kids along when they pick up their packets, Regan said.

“We have all the big inflatables going on,” Regan said, as well as gaming and, on stage, the Bug Lady, balloons and martial arts demonstrations.

A Safety Town featuring a Healthy Kids Zone will include bicycle and pedestrian safety, and physicians will be on hand to treat teddy bears. In addition, the Wichita Fire Department brings out a “smoke house” – a 40-foot unit that fills with fake smoke to teach kids about fire safety.

There also will be a “Star Wars”-themed Empire Force wall to provide a backdrop for photos.

About 90 exhibitors will be set up during the event, including those representing trampoline parks, Montessori schools and places that offer arts and crafts for kids, Regan said.

“This is the time of year everybody is trying to get ready for the summer, and we’ll have resources for the family,” from Park and Recreation to churches and schools that put on programs to All Star Sports, Cowtown and CityArts, he said.

“It’s ‘come and check out what’s available for summer.’ You can pick out a lot of cool stuff,” he said.

“Everything is targeted to parents and kids. ... We try to encourage the exhibitors to be interactive.”

A home-based business pavilion will feature more than 20 local businesses.

“It’s a real fun day for a family,” Regan said.

This story was originally published April 29, 2016 at 7:43 AM with the headline "Batman to be headliner at this year’s KidFest."