10 fun things to do in Wichita this weekend (Aug. 11-13)
For many school-aged kids in Wichita, this weekend is perhaps the last bastion of freedom before the snares of academia rein them in yet again.
In other words, this could be your last chance truly to enjoy summer 2017.
Luckily that task should be easy, given how many fun activities are planned for this weekend.
Use this list below to help plan your weekend in town:
ICT Comic Con and Science Fiction Expo
3-8 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, 7001 W. 21st St.
This convention, in its second year, is your hub for all things science fiction. The two-day event will feature various panels, celebrity guests, cosplay, gaming, art contests and superhero appearances. Author of the “Dead Hearts” series of zombie novels, Susanne L. Lambdin, will be in attendance, as will internationally known cosplayer Nicholas Roylance. The Eagle’s own Rodrick Pocowatchit will talk about his filmmaking as well.
Free on Friday, $3 adults on Saturday, free for children 12 and under Saturday. www.ictcomiccon.com,
FREE: The Astronauts at the WaterWalk
6:30-10 p.m. Fri., Wichita WaterWalk, 515 S. Main
If you’re looking for some free summer fun Friday night, check out The Astronauts, as part of the KEYN Summer Concert Series. Bring lawn chairs and enjoy the evening, listening to live music and eating food from local trucks this Friday. Pets should be left at home, and no outside alcohol is allowed. Food trucks scheduled to attend include Xclusive Booze Truck, ICT FRIED, UNO MAS ICT, Hot-2-Trot Gourmet Hotdogs, Lynn's Curbside Cookout and Hit the Spot.
Free.
Capes and Cocktails at Exploration Place
7-10 p.m. Fri., Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean
This is an adults-only event tailored after the museum’s current traveling exhibit, “Hall of Heroes.” There will be a Nerf gun war, a “web maze” and lots of other fun activities for a grown-up night out (themed after superheroes, of course). Food trucks in attendance include U-Hungry Truck, The Kamayan Truck, Little Lion Ice Cream and Noble House Hawaiian Plate Lunch. A cash bar will be available.
$25 non-members, $20 members. Includes one drink ticket. www.exploration.org, 316-660-0600
The Art of Female Comedy Showcase
7:30 p.m. Fri., Aero Plains Brewing, 117 N. Handley
This free comedy show is a celebration of some of Wichita’s female comedians. Scheduled to perform: Tiffany Payton, Carrie Fawcett, Lola LaClair, Katie Gette and Helen Reicher. Special guest Princess Leah the Pup will also be in attendance. T-shirts will be sold.
Free.
Nocturnal Pool Party
7:45-9:30 p.m. Fri., Rock River Rapids, 1900 E. James, Derby
EDM-lovers, this one is for you: Nocturnal by Nature is organizing a pool party at Rock River Rapids, featuring the Nocturnal Gogo Dancers. DJs including Nocturnal by Nature, G-note and LTD will perform throughout the night. There will be no alcohol served, and no outside food or drink is allowed. There will, however, be an afterparty at Barleycorn’s, where Low Frequency will perform to cap off the night.
FREE: Dog Days at GreenAcres
9-11 a.m. Sat., GreenAcres Market, 8141 E. 21st St.
Dog-lovers be aware: GreenAcres Market is hosting what it’s calling “Dog Days” this Saturday morning. There will be free dog washes, free doggie treats, $20 microchipping, a costume for best-dressed dog, raffles, samples and more. The event supports local animal rescue Beauties and Beasts.
Free. www.greenacres.com, 316-634-1088
FREE: 2nd Saturday Artisan Market
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., The Workroom, 150 N. Cleveland
The Workroom, a favorite for Wichita-themed decor and gifts, will open for its monthly 2nd Saturday Artisan Market this Saturday. There will be local handmade goods for sale, as well as food trucks and live music. This month, the Mischief Makers and the Nathan Williams Quintet will perform.
Free. www.theworkroomict.com, 316-295-4520
World Elephant Day at the Sedgwick County Zoo
10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd.
Saturday is World Elephant Day, but perhaps even better: it’s Stephanie the elephant’s birthday. Stephanie is turning 46 years old Saturday, so what better way to spend your day than with some elephant fun at the zoo? At the Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley exhibit, there will be a birthday party, Keeper Chats and more family activities.
Regular admission applies – $15.95 for adults, $11.95 for ages 62 and older and $11.95 for ages 3-11. www.scz.org, 316-660-9453
Wingapalooza 2017
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman
For all you carnivores out there, Wingapalooza features all-you-can-eat wings, a beer garden with select local craft beer options, entertainment and music from a live DJ. It’s four straight hours where the topic of conversation will be wings, wings and more wings. Participating restaurants include The Anchor/Douglas Avenue Chop Shop, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, D & T Wings, Delano BBQ, Emerson Biggin’s, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Gianni Bacci’s, Hungry Hippo, Jayrod’s, The Keg Sports Bar & Grill, Logan's Roadhouse, Lou’s Place, The Monarch, Pizza Hut Wingstreet, Rib Crib, River City Brewing Co., SAVOR...Wichita, Slim Chickens, Stroud’s, Sweet Lucy’s Catering, Twin Peaks, Valerie’s Wings and Things, Wings and Things and Wingstop.
$20 in advance, $25 at the door. www.selectaseat.com, 855-755-7328
FREE: 20/20 Sound Festival
4-9 p.m. Sun., Harvester Arts, 215 N. Washington
This experimental music festival features a variety of genres, each presented in 20-minute intervals. For people interested in exploratory and improvised music, you can expect drone, ambient, noise, experimental, electroacoustic and other genres.
Free. www.harvesterarts.com, 316-530-2203
Matt Riedl: 316-268-6660, @RiedlMatt
This story was originally published August 11, 2017 at 11:18 AM with the headline "10 fun things to do in Wichita this weekend (Aug. 11-13)."