10 fun things to do in Wichita this weekend (July 20-22)
Get ready, Wichita: This weekend is a busy one.
It’s not all that often that the social calendar is so packed in town that I have to be rather selective with these lists.
This is one of those weekends.
Here are my picks for the top 10 things going on in Wichita this weekend — though there are plenty more fun things going on beyond even these:
FREE: Final weekend for the Sedgwick County Fair
8 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri., 6 a.m.-midnight Sat., Sedgwick County Fairgrounds, 308 S Main St., Cheney
The Sedgwick County Fair in Cheney runs through Saturday, in case you’re looking to get a county fair in before the State Fair arrives in September. Don’t miss your chance to ride the rides, visit the petting zoo, watch a demolition derby and eat lots of fried foods.
Free. Food and attractions cost. www.ourcountyfair.com, 316-540-3722
Chamber Music at the Barn
7:30 p.m. Fri., Prairie Pines, 4055 N. Tyler Road
Chamber Music at the Barn is putting on a concert Friday night, “Frivolity and Romance.” It will feature pieces from Mozart, Schumann and Brahms. If you’ve never been to this event before, I’d definitely recommend it. Chamber music is defined as ensemble music, intended for a small auditorium, featuring one performer per part with no conductor.
$15-55. www.cmatb.org, 316-721-7666
‘Hi-Hat Hattie’ encore at Roxy’s
8 p.m. Fri., 2 p.m. Sat., 6 p.m. Sun., Roxy’s Downtown, 412 1/2 E. Douglas
This production of “Hi-Hat Hattie,” featuring legendary Wichita performer Karla Burns, opened for an encore run on Thursday. The show was a big hit, selling out when it premiered earlier this year, so this is your second opportunity to see the show, your best bet for live theater in Wichita this weekend.
$20-$30. www.roxysdowntown.com, 316-265-4400
FREE: Pickleball courts unveiled at Riverside Tennis Center
9 a.m.-noon Sat., Ralph Wulz Riverside Tennis Center, 551 N. Nims
It’s safe to say pickleball is the new thing when it comes to fitness. Pickleball fever has started to take over Wichita, with courts at Edgemoor Park and other local venues. A pickleball-themed restaurant is set to come to North Greenwich soon as well. Until then, satiate your pickleball thirst on these new courts in Riverside. Pickleball equipment and refreshments will be provided.
Free. www.riversidetenniscenter.com, 316-337-9257
Wichita Flea Market
9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun., Century II, 225 W. Douglas
There’s a new flea market in town. Vendors and shoppers who have been missing the flea market at the Kansas Coliseum now have the Wichita Flea Market in the Expo Hall at Century II. The market will be at Century II for four weekends throughout the year, with the first being this weekend. It will feature about 110 vendors.
Admission for adults (ages 13 and over) is $3 for a single day, $5 for a weekend pass. www.wichitafleamarket.biz
Mini Maker Faire
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., noon-5 p.m. Sun., Exploration Place, 300 N McLean Blvd.
Engineers, artists and creatives, this one’s for you — the fourth annual Wichita Mini Maker Faire is this weekend at Exploration Place. There will be more than 70 makers — many of them representing local creative outlets such as Mark Arts or Wichita State’s GoCreate — giving visitors young and old a chance to control robots, dismantle machines, work with wood, build structures and use historical tools. It’s a chance for makers to showcase their projects and experiments. There will also be games and activities for younger attendees.
General admission applies: $10.50 for adults 12+, $9 for seniors age 65 and older, $7 for youth ages 3-11. Free for museum and MakeICT members.
National Day of the Cowboy
10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat., Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 W. Museum Blvd.
Saddle up, partner — Saturday’s the National Day of the Cowboy, and Old Cowtown Museum is celebrating. There will be experts demonstrating the many skills of the cowboy, along with music and poetry reflecting the cowboy’s way of life.
$9 for adults, $8 for seniors ages 62 and over, $7 for youth 12-17 and $6 for kids 5-11. Kids 4 and younger are admitted free. Military and military family members’ admissions also are free. www.oldcowtown.org, 316-350-3323
Astrofest 2018
1 p.m. Sat.-1 a.m. Sun., Lake Afton Public Observatory, 25000 W. 39th Street South, Goddard
Lake Afton Public Observatory will host its Astrofest event this Saturday, offering 12 hours of stargazing, looking at the sun, Venus, the moon, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn. The event will also feature games, hands-on activities, telescope workshops and a special appearance from the 501st Legion — dressed to look like Storm Troopers.
$8 adults 13-64, $4 youth 5-12, $7 seniors 65+, free for children under 5. Family pass for $20. www.lakeafton.com, 316-448-6908
FREE: LevelUP
2-11 p.m. Sat., 215 S. Market
There’s no denying this is the most hyped-up event happening in Wichita this weekend. LevelUP is a party, funded by a grant from the Wichita Community Foundation and through community sponsors, to celebrate the day of Wichita’s founding. It’s in a parking garage at 215 S. Market, where every floor will have games, food, drinks, music, vendors and other fun activities for guests. One half of the parking garage will be reserved for actual parking, and the other half will be the site of the parking garage party. Be on the lookout for a promised LevelUP app on both the App Store and Google Play, which will give a schedule of events throughout the day.
Free. www.facebook.com/levelupwichita
Black Label Society at The Cotillion
7:30 p.m. Sun., The Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg
Get wild with Zakk Wylde and Co. – heavy metal band Black Label Society are coming to The Cotillion on Sunday along with Corrosion of Conformity and EyeHateGod. Wylde, recognized by his signature bullseye guitar design, gained notoriety as an axman for Ozzy Osbourne. His legacy has eclipsed that gig, though, with the massive success he’s had with Black Label Society. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
$35 in advance, $40 day of show. www.thecotillion.com, 316-722-4201
This story was originally published July 20, 2018 at 2:20 PM.