WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Riverfest 2023 is underway!
Below is a list of the events taking place Monday, June 5, through Thursday, June 8. This includes attractions you can find daily at Riverfest and general information about the festival.
Events
Monday, June 5
Bob Struble Golf Classic at Riverfest
- When: 8:30 a.m.
- Where: Shotgun Start Terradyne Country Club
Gospelfest: Brent Jones with Blind Boys of Alabama
- When: 6-10 p.m.
- Where: Century II
- What: Blind Boys of Alabama, an American gospel group, will hit the stage at 6 p.m. Brent Jones, an American gospel musician, will take the stage at 9:15 p.m.
Tuesday, June 6
A Salute to Military: Eli Young Band with Texas Hill
- When: 5:30-10 p.m.
- Where: Century II
- What: Eli Young Band, an American modern country music band, will perform with Texas Hill, an American band that plays a mix of soul, R&B, country, southern rock, and blues.
Wednesday, June 7
- When: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
- Where: Century II Tripodal
- What: Children ages 2-10 will be able to celebrate the thrill of riding, roping, panning for gold, and other activities.
Linwood Sexton Charity Ice Cream Sandwich Challenge
- When: 6 p.m.
- Where: Douglas Avenue
- What: Representatives of charity organizations will compete in an ice cream sandwich eating contest. The winner will receive $2,000 in prize money.
- When: 6:30-8 p.m.
- Where: Douglas Avenue
- What: Riverfest attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy free ice cream with a selection of toppings. The ice cream will even be served by the Wichita Wagonmasters.
- When: 7-8 p.m.
- Where: Kennedy Plaza at Century II
- What: Get a picture with this year’s Admiral Windwagon Smith XLIX, Kaye Monk-Morgan.
Gin Blossoms with Haymakers and Desure
- When: 6:30-10 p.m.
- Where: Century II
- What:
- 6:30 p.m. – Desure is a solo artist who plays indie/alternative music with a mix of pop.
- 7:45 p.m. – Haymakers is an American string band that plays a mix of rock, bluegrass, folk, and bluesy western swing.
- 9 p.m. – Gin Blossom’s is an American band that plays a blend of pop and rock (a.k.a. jangle-pop).
Thursday, June 8
Goodwill Industries Cajun Food Fest
- When: 5-8 p.m.
- Where: Century II
- What: Celebrate 35 years of Cajun Food Fest with a traditional Louisiana meal. Tickets are priced at $15 and will grant the ticket holder a meal of chicken étouffée, red beans and rice with sausage, a roll, and bread pudding topped with a bourbon custard sauce.
- When: 5-8:30 p.m.
- Where: Main Street between Douglas Avenue and Waterman Street
- What: Kids will have the chance to climb onboard their favorite trucks, big rigs, and emergency vehicles. They will also be able to meet those who protect, serve, and build the Wichita community.
The Soul Rebels with XV and Ernest James Zydeco
- When: 5-8:30 p.m.
- Where: Century II
- What:
- 4:30 p.m. – Ernest James Zydeco is an accordion musician accompanied by his band to perform soulful music from traditional Louisiana Zydeco to foot-stomping dance music.
- 6 p.m. – XV is a local rapper, singer, and songwriter.
- 8 p.m. – The Soul Rebels is an eight-piece brass band from New Orleans specializing in pop music with a blend of funk, soul, hip-hop, jazz, and rock.
Attractions
- Quantum Credit Union Food Court
- Beer Garden
- Riverfest Carnival
- Kids’ Corner
- Inflatables at Kids’ Corner
- WEEE Entertainment Carnival
- Boats & Bikes at River Vista
- Hot Air Balloons
- Helicopter Rides
- Wagonmasers River Tour
- Paddle Boats
- Medallion Hunt
- Brickmob Mural Painting at Habitat Build
General Information
Buttons: Riverfest buttons are your key to getting into the festival. These buttons are available at all local QuikTrips while supplies last.
Parking: Check out VisitWichita’s interactive parking map to find the best place to park.
- When: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Where: A. Price Woodard Park
- When: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Where: Northwest corner of Douglas and Water Street
- More info: This station also offers a diaper-changing area and breast-feeding area
- When: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Where: Northwest corner of Douglas and Water Street
Rules and safety: Click here to find a list of dos and don’ts.
Zoo discount: Riverfest has partnered with the Sedgwick County Zoo to offer a special discount of $2 off admission when you show your Riverfest button at the zoo’s gate. Offer ends June 10.
Riverfest takes place in downtown Wichita from Friday, June 2, through Saturday, June 10.
To find more information about Riverfest 2023 and to find out what events are coming up, head to their website, check out Visit Wichita’s list of events, or download Riverfest’s app!
