Wichita Riverfest’s big finale weekend will feature music, fireworks and a fiesta
Wichita is barreling toward summer with lots of fun outdoor activities, including the finale of Wichita Riverfest, a barbecue festival in Derby and a series of free ballet performances in parks around the area.
Here are some of the fun thing to do both outside and inside this weekend:
Riverfest finale weekend
Friday and Saturday, downtown Wichita around Century II
It feels like it just started, but it’s already time for the 2024 installment of The Wichita Riverfest to end. There’s plenty to do over the festival’s final weekend. The big Fiesta del Rio will last all day on Friday and will include five live acts on the main stage starting at 4 p.m. and ending with headliner Banda Cuisillos at 9 p.m. And the festival’s final day on Saturday will include the Cardboard Regatta from 1:30 to 4 p.m. and musical headliner Kool & The Gang on the main stage at 9 p.m. The show will be followed by finale fireworks starting at around 10:45 p.m. Admission to all events is a Riverfest button, which costs $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 6 to 11 and can be purchased at the gate or at area QuikTrip stores. A complete list of activities can be found at wichitariverfest.com/events
See photos from the opening weekend of the Wichita Riverfest ⛅
Barbecue fest in Derby
6 to 10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, High Park, Derby
The annual Smoke on the Plains BBQ & Music Fest returns this weekend to Derby’s High Park. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday and features a barbecue tasting on Friday plus food trucks, ax throwing, kids activities and concerts by artists like Jed Harrelson on Friday and Paramount on Saturday. A full schedule of events is at derbybbq.com. Admission is free.
Randy Travis tour
7:30 p.m. Friday, Orpheum Theatre, 200 N. Broadway
Country legend Randy Travis is bringing “The More Life Tour” to Wichita’s Orpheum Theatre on Friday, and it will offer all 16 of his No. 1 hits, including “On The Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen” and “Three Wooden Crosses.” Travis, who suffered a stroke in 2013, will make a special appearance, but most of the singing will be done by guest vocalist James Dupre, who co-starred with Travis in the 2015 movie ”The Price.” The show also will feature the original Randy Travis band. It starts at 7:30 p.m., and doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $44-$120 and are available at selectaseat.com, by phone at 316-755-7328 or in person at the Select-a-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.
Return of First Friday
Friday evening, galleries across Wichita
First Friday has rolled back around, and as usual, Wichita will be filled with art openings at galleries across town. Among those participating this month are Reuben Saunders Gallery, 3215 E. Douglas, which will have an opening reception for its invitational glass exhibition called “Warped” from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Friday; and City Arts, 334 N. Mead, which will feature several different shows during a First Friday reception that lasts from 5 to 8 p.m. For a complete list of Final Friday shows, visit downtownwichita.org/discover/things-to-see-and-do/first-friday
Ballet in the Park
Friday through Sunday, parks around Wichita
Metropolitan Ballet will be putting on free park performances of “The Wizard of Oz” all weekend throughout the Wichita area. The performances, which last about 45 minutes, will happen at 7 p.m. Friday at Clair Donnelly Amphitheater in Maize; at 11 a.m. Saturday at Garvin Park in Augusta; at 7 p.m. Saturday at Riggs Park in Haysville; at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Bandshell at Forest Park in El Dorado; and at 7 p.m. Sunday at College Hill Park’s basketball court in Wichita. For more information, visit https://www.metropolitanballetwichita.com/upcoming-events
Lake Afton car show
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Lake Afton, Goddard
The 52nd annual Lake Afton All Wheels Car Show, which bills itself as “the largest free open car show in the world,” is on for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Put on by the Wichita Area Council of Car Clubs, the event will feature cars from several Wichita area Mustang clubs. The event will go on rain or shine at Lake Afton in Goddard, and vendors and food concessions will be part of the lineup. Admission is free.
Kids Day at the Farmers Market
7 a.m. to noon Saturday, 7001 W. 21st St.
Saturday is Kids Day at the Kansas Grown Farmers Market, 7001 W. 21st St., and organizers will fill the event with extras designed to appeal to younger shoppers. The sheriff’s department, the fire department and EMS will be on site, and there also will be face painting, a petting zoo, a photo booth, a live bee hive, a planting station, a martial arts demo at 10 a.m. and free doughnuts while they last. The market is open from 7 am. to noon, and admission is free.
Beats for Beauties
Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, Central Standard Brewing, 156 Greenwood
Central Standard Brewing will be the location Saturday of a second annual fundraiser for Beauties and Beasts animal rescue called Beats for Beauties. It lasts from noon to 7 p.m. and will feature seven live acts at the top of every hour, including Paragon, who take the stage at 6 p.m. Admission to the event is free, but the charity will be accepting donations.
