Most food-and-drink fall events are canceled in Wichita, but some are still happening
The days are getting a little shorter. The air is getting a little cooler. And in a non-pandemic year, Wichita foodies would be preparing to attend a whole slate of fall food events.
Not this year, though.
COVID-19 has effectively put an end to mass gatherings, and some of Wichita’s food-centered fall parties were among the season’s best-attended events.
Most of the biggies that usually happen in September and October are canceled, though one — Xclusive Events’ ICT Bloktoberfest — is still happening.
Here’s a look at the status of many of the food events that Wichita usually packs in the fall and what organizers have decided to do about them:
Still happening
ICT Bloktoberfest: For the past four years, Xclusive Events had thrown an Oktoberfest-style party in a big field at the Wichita WaterWalk, 515 S. Main. Its always included wiener dog races, beer, yard games and live music.
Though they won’t throw the party in its usual spot, siblings and Xclusive owners Crystal McDonald and Cody Lathrop have a new location in the same area. They recently took over management of The Wichita Boathouse, 515 N. Wichita, and they’re moving the event there.
It will happen from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 2 and from noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 3 and will offer free admission. Activities will include keg rolling, stein hoisting and more. The boathouse will be transformed into a giant biergarten, and food trucks will be set up. The event also will include its traditional Friday-night beer tasting, which requires a separate ticket. Prices range from $40 to $60 for a VIP ticket.
Details are posted on the ICT Bloktoberfest Facebook page.
Happening, but without gathering
ICT Burger Battle: This burger-eating party is in its eighth year, and it’s still a go — kind of. A fundraiser for KETCH, the event usually gathers local restaurants for a showdown that invites judges and visitors to decide who makes the best burger. It’s moved several times over the years, but last year, the battle happened at the Wave venue, 650 E. Second.
Because of COVID-19, organizers are handling this year’s Burger Battle differently. Those who want to participate will first need to buy a $30 “burger pass” online at ictburgerbattle.com. Then, during September and October, they can visit the five restaurants participating and get a free competition burger with the purchase of a burger from the restaurant’s menu.
The restaurants participating are Red Robin, Southeast Carryout, PourHouse ICT, Fizz Burgers and Bottles and Bricktown Brewery East. After participants try all the burgers, they’ll vote for their favorite online. Money raised will benefit KETCH, a local organization that supports programs and services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Postponed and canceled
Midwest Beerfest: For the past couple of years, this longtime beer-tasting event staged its grand tasting in late September at the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane. Organizers at the Wichita Chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food already weren’t sure what they were going to do about the 2020 festival, and when COVID-19 hit, said chairwoman Beth Bower, they decided it’d have to be canceled.
Bower said organizers will decide where and how to resume the annual event if health conditions are better next year.
Prairieland Beer & Music Festival: This newer beer-tasting event, whose last installment was in October 2019 at the Wave Venue, would have been in its third year in 2020. But organizers at the Kansas Craft Brewers Guild said that it won’t happen this year because of COVID-19.
Wichita Wagonmasters Downtown Chili Cookoff: As we previously reported, this favorite fall event, which always draws big crowds downtown in late September to sample chili made by local cooking teams, has also been canceled for 2020. It was scheduled for Sept. 26.
Orie’s Garlic Fest: Garlic-growing business Orie’s Farm Fresh would have put on its fourth annual event at Eberly Farm in late September if not for COVID-19. But this celebration of garlic, which always featured food sampling, cooking demonstrations and heads of garlic for sale, is canceled this year.
Prost Oktoberfest: The popular German restaurant inside the shipping container mall at Central and Volutsia put on its first big Oktoberfest party in late September of 2019. It was a four-day event that included beer in boots, authentic German food and live music.
Restaurant owners Austin and Manu English had even bigger plans for year two, but COVID-19 has caused them to cancel the party for 2020. But the Englishes have a different kind of celebration planned. Watch for details.
Air Capital Bacon, Bourbon & Brews: This annual event, a celebration of all things bacon at Hartman Arena, had already been rescheduled once — from June 27 to Sept. 19. But this week, the venue announced that the tasting event was being postponed again because of COVID-19. The new date is July 10, 2021.
Those who have already purchased tickets can use them in 2021 or they can get refunds wherever they bought the tickets. The Hartman Arena Box Office is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and from noon to 4 p.m. on Fridays.
.jpg)