Two of the year’s biggest food events happen this weekend, one of which is free to attend
If you’re a Wichita foodie, this weekend could be an expensive — and filling — one.
Two of the city’s big annual food events are happening: One is free to attend. The other carries a pretty pricey (but many would say worth it) ticket price.
They are:
Orie’s Garlic Fest, Sunday, Public at the Brickyard, 129 N. Rock Island: The sixth annual Orie’s Garlic Fest, an event by the owners of Orie’s Farm Fresh in west Wichita, lasts from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will again feature food and drink vendors and artisans.
Participating food vendors will provide ready-to-eat dishes made with garlic plus garlic-y beverages. Admission is free, but attendees should bring money for food, drink and shopping. I went last year and stood in line for bulbs of exotic garlic, which I enjoyed using for weeks and weeks.
The event also will include music from Harrison Steele from noon to 2 p.m. and from Molly Neeley from 2 to 4 p.m. If you’re brave, you can also try a free garlic shot.
Zoobilee, Saturday, Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 Zoo Blvd.: Wichita’s zoo closes only two days a year: the day of and the day before this big fundraising event that features food samples from local restaurants, adult beverages and live music. I’ve been to this event many times over the years, and it’s one you have to experience at least once. The zoo is filled with wine, beer, a whole lot of food, live bands stationed throughout, and an extra festive atmosphere. The later it gets, the wilder it gets.
This year, music will be provided by Jared Brown and the Dirt Road Misfits, Sleepy Truckers, Bottoms Up, Heather and High Frequency, and Stephanie Moore with Taylor Martin plus headliners Annie Up on the main stage. More than 60 local restaurants will be there providing food.
Tickets are still on sale and this year are $175 — all but $30 of which is tax deductible. The event lasts from 6 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are available at SCZ.org or by phone at 316-266-8273.
This story was originally published September 8, 2023 at 11:51 AM.
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