Riverfest attendees breeze through Saturday events

Taking advantage of the nice weather, festival-goers flocked to Wichita on Saturday for the city’s annual downtown celebration.

Now in its 45th year, Riverfest offered a bit of everything during its first weekend day of 2016, including a zipline course over the Arkansas River, a River Run and a continuous human Foosball game.

Andy Richards of Tennessee said he enjoyed his initial foray into human Foosball, also a first at Riverfest this year.

“It was exhilarating,” Richards said. “I had no idea what to expect, but it was a lot of fun. I managed to not get hit in the face with the ball.”

Sponsored by Chilton Billiards and Spas, the game used a soccer ball and a life-sized rink for a Foosball table. A final human Foosball tournament will take place on Saturday.

With temperatures in the 80s Saturday afternoon and the hot Kansas sun beating down, shade was at a premium, but a stiff breeze that continued for most of the day helped keep attendees cool.

“I think the breeze has helped a lot,” Laura Haskins, who worked a first-aid booth on Douglas, said at about 3 p.m. “It’s been a slow day for us, which is good. We’ve been filling up people’s water bottles as they walk past.”

In addition to the many vendor booths selling everything from T-shirts to fried gator on a stick, festival-goers were particularly interested in the Jet Ski races on the Arkansas River and the lucha libre-style wrestling event.

Enjoying the festival with his family, Chris Breedlove of Wichita said he was sure to take advantage of the voter registration booth in the Ackerman’s Backyard area.

“I heard about it beforehand and wanted to make sure to get signed up,” Breedlove said. “I’m very interested in the election this year. Hopefully, (Donald) Trump takes it. I think he’s the best shot for America.”

Kayli Perales, 11, of Wichita was one of close to 250 people who gave the zipline course – sponsored by Butler Community College’s Grizzly Adventures program – over the river a shot.

“It was my first on a zipline,” Kayli said. “It was pretty breathtaking at first. It was scary, but I’d do it again.”

While there is no age limit for the ride, those brave enough to try it need to weigh at least 70 pounds and not more than 250, an organizer said. One ride across the river and back costs $10.

Not everyone at Riverfest, however, was completely pleased. Natasha Paul of Rose Hill said she was disappointed that she and her group – which included 10 kids – couldn’t bring water bottles into the admittance areas.

“If they catch you with water, they throw it away,” Paul said. “They don’t have any water stations around, so you have to pay $2 for one bottle of water. It’s too hot out here for that. We should be able to bring water in.”

The last day for Riverfest 2016 is June 11. Riverfest buttons, which are needed for entrance, are available for $10 at Dillons, Quik Trip, Intrust Bank Arena and at the festival gates.

This story was originally published June 4, 2016 at 5:40 PM with the headline "Riverfest attendees breeze through Saturday events."