10 fun things to do in Wichita this weekend (Oct. 19-21)
Peak fall season is upon us.
This is the time of year when pumpkin patches, corn mazes and haunted houses are at their prime.
I’d recommend doing any of those seasonal things this weekend, while the weather is nice, in addition to the following special events.
If you’re looking for what’s going on in town this weekend, look no further:
Tallgrass Film Festival
Fri.-Sun., various venues in downtown Wichita
This weekend is the 16th annual Tallgrass Film Festival, a yearly event that brings some of the country’s best budding filmmakers to Wichita for a weekend. Throughout the weekend, there are independent films shown at various downtown venues. Tallgrass first-timer? Check out our best bets at the festival here.
$7-$10 for individual movies. $30-$100 for day passes. www.tallgrassfilmfest.com
Orie’s Garlic Fest
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., Sun., Eberly Farm, 13111 W. 21st Street
This annual festival is a celebration of all things garlic – featuring garlicky foods from mac and cheese to ice cream and cookies. Garlic bulbs are also available for purchase. Family activities available onsite include volleyball, basketball, tetherball, horseshoe, ladder golf, washerboard, cornhole, pitch & put golf, tricycles, playgrounds, and a kids’ zipline.
$10 for adults, $5 for youth 13-17, free for children 12 and under. www.oriesfarmfresh.com
Balloon and Art Festival
2-7 p.m. Sun., Prairie Hill Vineyard at Stockemer Farm, 21421 W. 37th Street North, Colwich.
There’s something special about watching hot air balloons float through the sky. An event Sunday at Prairie Hill Vineyard at Stockemer Farm will provide views for days, as the vineyard is hosting a hot air balloon and art festival that day. There will be between 5 and 10 balloons launching from the field at 5 p.m. There will also be food trucks, craft brews, art booths, a petting zoo, face-painting, helium balloons and kite-flying. Proceeds from the festival will be donated to Youth Horizons, an organization that supports fatherless young boys.
$35 at the gate or online. www.wheatstatetickets.com, 316-461-5445
Bullfighters at Hartman Arena
7:30 p.m. Sat., Hartman Arena, 8151 N. Hartman Arena Drive, Park City
It’s a showdown between man and beast. Bullfighters Only, a group of freestyle bullfighters, is coming to the Hartman Arena and will compete for more than $25,000 in prize money. Bullfighters are judged on their ability to jump over and avoid the charging Spanish fighting bulls.
$15-$25, $65 VIP package. www.ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000
Dawn of the Dub
8 p.m. Fri., The Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg.
Want to feel the bass? Dubstep staple Dirt Monkey can get your fix. The Colorado IDM electronic artist meshes IDM and traditional dubstep with his eclectic musical tastes. His high-energy show has been experienced by audiences at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, clubs in France and more locations. Catch him, Truth and Eprom at Dawn of the Dub this Friday.
$25. www.thecotillion.com, 316-722-4201
Wave grand opening
11 a.m.-11:30 p.m., Fri., Wave, 650 E. 2nd Street
Although it has already hosted several concerts, the Wave outdoor venue’s official grand opening is Friday. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and features an eclectic mix of local artists – Spirit of the Stairs, Cleme, The Cavves, Bellafonte, DJ Carbon, Sunshine Trucking, A-Squared, Junior Retreat, Death Cow and more. Local food trucks will be on scene.
Free. Register for free tickets at www.eventbrite.com
Pumpkin Drop at Stearman Field
2 p.m. Sat., Stearman Field Bar and Grill, 14789 SW 30th Street, Benton
Stearman Field Bar and Grill is hosting its annual Pumpkin Drop Saturday. Pilots drop pumpkins onto a target for a chance at a trophy and a $100 Stearman gift card. A beer garden and concession stand will be available. No outside food or drink. Lawn chairs and blankets encouraged. After the pumpkin drop, enjoy a kids’ costume contest at 3:30 p.m., live music from The Astronauts from 7-11 p.m. and an adult costume contest at 10 p.m.
Free. www.stearmanbarandgrill.com, 316-778-1612
Home Remodeling and Pet Expo
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., Century II, 225 W. Douglas
Tour a 400-square-foot tiny home, get an antique appraised for free, listen to remodeling and decorating seminars, check out fall landscape displays, register for prizes and more at the Wichita Home Remodeling and Decorating Expo this weekend. New this year is the family pet expo. Don’t have a pet? The Humane Society will have pets available for adoption and offer a free pet training information session at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The pet costume contest is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Free. www.wichitahomeremodelingshow.com
Haysville and Maize Fall Festivals
Haysville and Maize are hosting fall festivals this weekend.
Haysville’s festival will include a car show, pumpkin decorating, a magic show, carnival, fireworks and more. $3 suggested button admission. Carnival rides an extra fee. Oct. 19-21. Parking at West Haysville Baptist Church, 141 N. Lamar Ave, and Haysville Middle School, 900 W. Grand Ave. More information at www.haysvillefallfestival.com.
Maize’s fall festival, sponsored by The Lions Club, will include a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, arts and crafts fair, a carnival, food and more. Admission is free. The fair runs from 5-10 p.m. Fri. Oct. 19 and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat. Oct. 20. Located at WSU West (37th and Maize). Admission is free.
Spooky Science at Exploration Place
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd.
Up for some early Halloween fun? Exploration Place is opening for its annual Spooky Science event on Saturday, filled with science-based fun activities. Traveling exhibit Toytopia will be open, as will a new Digital Dome Theater film, “Pandas: The Journey Home.”
$10.50 for adults 12-64, $9 for seniors 65+, $7 for youth 3-11, free for children 2 and under. www.exploration.org, 316-660-0600
Contributing: Andrew Linnabary of the Eagle
This story was originally published October 19, 2018 at 2:56 PM.