Wichita Riverfest: A list of events that can’t be missed on opening weekend
The Wichita Riverfest is returning for its 53rd installment on Friday, and locals will continue their traditions of lining up for the Sundown parade, crowding in for Kennedy Plaza concerts and filling up on fried food court fare.
This year, though, the festival has new leadership: President and CEO BreAnna Monk took over the reins of the festival in January, and though she hasn’t had time yet to fully put her stamp on the event, people who attend the festival will find a few differences.
For example: People won’t need food court tickets this year to get food. The River Run route will be different. And the festival is providing and pointing out more opportunities for people to join in the fun without having to pay for a $20 button.
Here’s a closer look at the highlights of the festival’s first weekend:
Friday
Sundown Parade, 6:30-8 p.m.: The festival’s first big event every year is the Sundown Parade, which will travel from Main and Second Street south to English, then east to Market, then north back to Second Street. The theme of this year’s parade is “The Spirit of Wichita Riverfest.”
Everclear concert, 9:15-10:30 p.m.: The big opening night concert at Kennedy Plaza will be headlined by Everclear, a rock group known for songs like “Father of Mine” and “Wonderful.” The opening act will be alternative rock group Marcy Playground, who will take the stage at 7:30 p.m.
Opening night fireworks, 10:45 p.m.: The first of three Riverfest fireworks shows will be launched after the concert, and the best viewing will be along the Arkansas River from Maple and Waterman to First Street. Those who want to hear music as they watch the fireworks shows can tune into KEYN 103.7 FM. (The other two fireworks shows are on Wednesday and June 7.)
Saturday
River Run, 7 a.m.: Day two will start with the 49th annual River Run, which this year will follow a different route than in the past. The starting line will be on Douglas, north of Century II, and the race will wind its way past the Mid-America All Indian Center, through Riverside, past the Old Cowtown Museum and back. The race includes a 10K, a 5K, a Tot Trot for ages 2 to 7, and a one-mile family fun run for ages 13 and over. Registration for runners is already closed.
Cowboy Bathtub Races, 1-3 p.m., Arkansas River: People can gather on the riverbanks to watch this silly contest, which has competitors racing along the river in stock tanks, a.k.a “Cowboy Bathtubs.”
Rave at Wave, 9 p.m., Wave venue, 650 E. Second St.: This event, meant to draw in a teen crowd, will include dancing, lights, glow-in-the-dark merchandise and music from local EDM artists.
Flo Rida concert, 8 p.m.: Headliner Flo Rida, a hit-hop artist known for hits like “Low” and “My House,” will take the stage at Kennedy Plaza at 9:30 p.m. His opening act, Sir Charles III, will go first at 8 p.m.
Sunday
Family Fun Day: Sunday has been dubbed Family Fun Day at the Riverfest, whose organizers tried to bunch lots of family-friendly activities together on the same day. To encourage people to come out, the festival has decided that children 12 and under get in free all day as long as they’re accompanied by a button-wearing adult.
NEW EVENT Children’s Entrepreneur Market, 1-4 p.m., Douglas and Main: This new event will feature kid entrepreneurs selling their wares.
NEW EVENT Family Movie night, 8 p.m., Kennedy Plaza: Instead of putting on a concert, the festival is inviting families to gather on Kennedy Plaza for a screening of the movie “The Wild Robot.” People are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.
Century II Spire Lighting, 9:30 p.m., Kennedy Plaza: At the end of movie night, the big spire on the top of Century II will be lit for the first time in almost a decade.
Every day events
These events happen throughout the festival and are worth checking out:
Food court: The food court is a big draw at every festival, and the big news this year is that people won’t have to buy tickets before ordering their food. That tradition has been scrapped, and instead, attendees will be able to head straight to the individual food booths with their credit cards. As always, the food court will feature funnel cakes, corn dogs and chicken on a stick. Though it was in danger of not having roasted ears of corn for the first time in years, the staff last week pulled off a last-minute save and secured a corn vendor.
The festival’s main food court along Century II Drive will be open Friday through June 7 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. People who don’t have Riverfest buttons will be allowed to enter the food court for free from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 6. Food vendors also will be set up on Douglas from 5 to 11 p.m. Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays; from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday; and from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Kids Corner & Inflatables, entrance at the south gate behind the old library: The festival has expanded Kids Corner this year, which is always a big draw for the younger set. It includes inflatables, art projects, balloon animals, bubbles, and visits from clowns and princesses. It’s open from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Monday and Tuesday; from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, June 6 and June 7; and from 1 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
NEW EVENT The Phoenix Lounge: This new mocktail lounge on Kennedy Plaza will allow people to enjoy non-alcoholic beverages, yoga and other activities. It will be open throughout the festival, but its hours change daily. Visit https://wichitariverfest.com/event/the-phoenix-lounge to find its schedule.
Button-free fun
Though most of the big events will still require buttons, a few events fall outside of festival gates or can be enjoyed without actually entering them. Among them:
Sundown Parade, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, route is from Main Street and Second Street south to English, then east to Market Street, then north back to Second Street.
Fireworks are free to watch outside footprint, Friday, Wednesday and June 7
Hot Air Balloons- 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday; 7 -9 a.m. Saturday, field just west of WaterWalk
Cowboy Bathtub Races (for spectators), 1-3 p.m. Saturday, east bank of the Arkansas River at Douglas
FutureFest, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sunday, Main and Douglas
Children’s Entrepreneur Market, 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Douglas and Main
Cardboard Regatta (for spectators), 1:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Arkansas River, south of Douglas Street Bridge
Fishing Derby, 9-11 a.m. Sunday, east side of the river, between Douglas and Lewis Street
KAKE Touch-A-Truck, 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Main Street between Douglas and Waterman
Food Court, no button required from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
Wichita Riverfest 2025
When: Friday-June 7
Where: Downtown Wichita, in and around Century II
Admission: A button is admission to all gated events. Adult buttons are $20; buttons for ages 6-12 are $10; admission is free for ages 5 and under.
Volunteers will be selling buttons at the festival, but they’re also available at QuikTrip locations in Wichita, Newton, El Dorado, Park City and Derby; at the Wichita Riverfest offices at 444 E. William
Schedule: It’s online at wichitariverfest.com/events
This story was originally published May 30, 2025 at 4:26 AM.
.jpg)