10 fun things to do in Wichita this weekend (July 27-29)
The dog days of summer are finally over (hopefully).
Things should hopefully start getting more fall-ish from here, right?
Right?
Until then, soak up the last bits of July you can this weekend.
Here’s a list of fun things going on in Wichita:
Final Friday
Fri. evening, various galleries across Wichita
July is coming to a close, which can only mean one thing for art enthusiasts – it’s time for Final Friday. The monthly gallery crawl in downtown Wichita brings students, families and art lovers together for a night of grassroots art appreciation. For Final Friday first-timers, I’d recommend visiting the galleries on Commerce Street,as well as CityArts in Old Town Square. For a full listing of events, click here.
Free. www.finalfridayict.com
Dam Music Festival
Fri.-Sat., El Dorado Lake
This weekend features the return of the Dam Music Festival at El Dorado Lake. The event,which was a big hit last year, features Toby Keith as its headliner this year.Other big-name country artists scheduled to perform include Brantley Gilbert, Colt Ford and Aaron Lewis. General-admission tickets to the concerts are still available. Concert gates open at 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday; music starts at 4:30 p.m. After the last band leaves the stage each night, guests can celebrate at an after party until 2 a.m.
General admission full weekend pass is $114. General admission single day pass is $75. www.dammusicfest.com, 316-866-2940
Heatfest at Kirby’s
Fri.-Sun., Kirby’s Beer Store, 3227 E. 17th Street
Kirby’s Beer Store,the tiny, hole-in-the-wall bar across the street from WSU, is bringing more than 20 local bands together this weekend for Heatfest. Catch Jenny Wood, Kill Vargas, Letters from Rome and other local acts as they tear up the tiny stage.A full list of performers with scheduled times is available at www.kirbysbeerstore.com. Entry to Kirby’s is free.
No admission fee, but donations accepted for the bands. www.kirbysbeerstore.com
Tomato Fest
7 a.m.-noon Sat., Kansas Grown Farmers Market, 7001 W. 21st Street
This Saturday is the annual Tomato Fest, a celebration of all things red and vegetable-y. The event will feature tomato tastings, tomato cooking demos and a tomato mascot roaming the grounds. There will also be fried green tomatoes. For more information about the event, read my colleague Denise Neil’s story here.
Free to attend. Food costs. www.kansasgrowninc.com
Shocker Neighborhood 5K
8 a.m. Sat., Fairmount Park, 1647 N. Yale
Join the Wichita State and Fairmount communities for the first ever Shocker Neighborhood 5K. Walk, jog or run through Fairmount Park and the WSU campus at whatever pace you feel comfortable with. People of all fitness levels are welcome to participate. Registration includes a validated bib tag with chip timing and a T-shirt, while supplies last.
$20 per racer if registered in advance, $25 for same-day registration. Sign up online at https://runsignup.com/shocker.
Wichita Bridal Expo
10 a.m-4 p.m. Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., Century II, 225 W. Douglas
For anyone planning a special day soon, the Bridal Expo returns to Century II this weekend. The Bridal Expo is giving away a $10,000 wedding package plus every vendor is offering a prize. Check at the latest in bridal fashions, visit 150 vendors and get some ideas for your cake, flowers and honeymoon this weekend at Century II.
Single-day tickets $10 or $13 for both days. www.wichitabridalshow.com
Dart Quest grand opening
10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., Dart Quest, 2626 S. Rock
This new foam dart “battlefield” opens Saturday in a strip center across the street from McConnell Air Force Base. A portion of the proceeds from Saturday’s opening day will be donated to the Wesley Children’s Foundation. Admission is $5 this Saturday for opening day. Blasters provided.
$5. www.facebook.com/dartquestwichita
Horizontes Summer Mural Bash
6-8 p.m. Sat., NoMar International Market, 204 E. 21st Street
Over the past week, artists have been creating stunning new murals all over Wichita’s North End. To celebrate their completion, as part of the Horizontes project, there will be a mural bash at NoMar Plaza on Saturday evening. The event, put on by the Alpha Theta Chapter of WSU’s Sigma Psi Zeta sorority, will feature music, food trucks and more.
Free.
Mead’s Corner closing-day party
2-4 p.m. Sun., Mead’s Corner, 430 E. Douglas
Mead’s Corner is officially closing its doors this Saturday, and to celebrate the 10 years the coffee shop had been in business, it’s hosting a celebration Sunday afternoon. There will be a presentation at 3 p.m. As of now, Kookaburra Coffee is planning on opening in the Mead’s Corner space.
Free.
Band of Horses at The Cotillion
8 p.m. Sun., The Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg
Remember “The Funeral?” The alt-rock band behind the popular single, Band of Horses, comes to The Cotillion this Sunday evening. The band – known for their woodsy, mid-tempo rock and reverb-drenched vocals – has released five studio albums, but has stayed true to their core sound with each release.
Tickets $35 in advance, $39.50 day of show. www.thecotillion.com, 316-722-4201
This story was originally published July 27, 2018 at 11:40 AM.