Get your buttons out: Saturday has a full day of Riverfest events waiting for you

The first full day of Wichita Riverfest activities and events starts today.

Country music legend Willie Nelson and Friends will highlight the festival Saturday night at the Kennedy Plaza Stage. The concert starts at 5 p.m. with two opening acts.

Later in the evening, Wichita’s first drone light show will take place at 10 p.m. The light show is presented by Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd.

The show will feature 200 synchronized, lighted drones creating designs that are choreographed with music.

Admission to all concerts and activities except for the light show and helicopter rides are free with a Riverfest button. Buttons are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Buttons can be purchased at the Riverfest gates or at any local QuikTrip.

Here’s what else is happening today:

• Fidelity Bank River Run, Mariott International 10K Race start, 7:15 a.m.; Katie Partridge Memorial 5K Run/Wheelchair Race, 7:40 a.m.; Accuweather 2-Mile Family Walk/Jog 9:15 a.m. ; Lane Enterprises Tot Trot, 10:30 a.m. All races will start at 444 E. William. Online registration is closed. For additional race details go to Fidelity Bank River Run 2022 on the Riverfest website.
  
  
• Hot Air Balloons, 7-8 a.m.; The hot air balloons will be set up and launched in the 500 block of South Water.
• Food Court and Beer Garden, 11 a.m.; The food court is on the east side of Century II. Stand-alone food vendors will also be at the Kid’s Corner. Food will need to purchased with tickets, which can be purchased at the food court.
• Kids Corner, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Kids can participate in activities hosted by the Wichita Toy Train Club, meet and greet Wichita Princesses and more. Check out the Kids Corner page on the Riverfest website for more details. Kids Corner is located in A. Price Woodard Park at 401 E. Douglas Ave.
• ArtFest at Riverfest, 11 a.m.-6p.m.; Located inside Century II Performing Arts Center, Exhibition Hall at 225 W Douglas Ave; This two-day pop up event will feature art, design and local shopping.
• Helicopter Rides, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Admission is $40 per person.
• STEAM City, 12 p.m.
• Wagonmasters River Tours, 12-8 p.m. The tours start under the Douglas Avenue Bridge on the north side of Douglas and east of the Arkansas River.
• Carnival, 1-11 p.m.; The carnival at 511 S. Water.; A large Ferris Wheel, kiddie rides and rides for older kids will be available. Admission to the carnival is free but tickets to ride rides will need to be purchased on site.
• Cowboy Bathtub Races, 2-3 p.m.; Participants will race along the Arkansas River in stock tanks. Spectators can watch from the east bank of the Arkansas River at Douglas Street. Cash awards given for first, second and third place. Participants must register online.
• Willie Nelson & Family Concert, 5 p.m.; The concert will have two opening acts. VIP tickets are sold out. The stage is located at Kennedy Plaza on Douglas.
• ICT Drone Show Presented by Exploration Place, 10 p.m. Located at Exploration Place on 300 N. McLean Blvd. This is Wichita’s first drone light show and will provide views of 200 synchronized drones fully choreographed with music. Individual tickets are $15 and $12 for members. Carload parking and admission for up to nine guest are $60 and $50 for members. VIP Tickets for Saturday’s show are sold out but are available for purchase on Sunday.
  
  

• Budweiser Clydesdales horses; Open during regular festival hours daily. The horses stable area will be located at 223 S. Main.

For more information and a full schedule: Go to wichitariverfest.com or download the Wichita Riverfest app.

This story was originally published June 4, 2022 at 4:52 AM.