Media Madness

KGSO...The Fox...B98...KZSN...The Road...KFDI....Radio Lobo (on CINCO DE MAYO no less!), some of the media hits on the Admiral's schedule. Lots of fun talking about all the concerts, events and food at Riverfest 2009.

A few tips from XXXVI: Buy your buttons early to get in the festival mood. Consider downloading the Riverfest schedule to your mobile device. Do a few extra crunches so you have room for funnel cake, etc. Score some Riverfest logowear (it's the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, don't you know?). Purchase sunblock, because the rain will go and then you will want to relieve cabin fever!

GET YOUR GROOVE ON and look for the Admiral and his Prairie Schooner Mates a week from today. They are working hard finishing up their junior year and getting ready to ROCK THE BUS at the Sundown Parade.

XXXVI

Gettin' Your Groove Nine Days Out....

Nine days to Riverfest. 36 will be on the snorkel lift this weekend with his Ops buddies hanging decor at the entrance scaffolding to the food court. Drive-bys are welcome.

So far I'm getting a good balance between work and being the Admiral. Favorite saying: If you want something done ask a busy person to do ut!

Hey remember some upcoming deadlines: Dodge Ball sponsored by BCCC and Monster Energy Drink - May 7 (one of my favorites); Riverfest Car Show - May 4; PLUNGE presented by Aeroflex, the first 16 teams to enter. Trust me this is going to be THE new event of Riverfest. Big bucks at stake and lots of fame and fun.

Also, Bank of America River Run, Tot Trot and Via Christi Walkfest.

I visited Case New Holland today and talked to their highly evergized Riverfest volunteers. They are getting ready for Buckaroo Buckarette Rodeo and Hay Bale Art; I got to ride their mechanical bull - too cool.

Media events are spooling up, the Clear Channel trifecta (B98, KZSN and The Road) takes place between 8:35 AM and 9:10 this Thursday. Don't miss me!

Remember - Peace, love and funnel cakes!
XXXVI

Admiral Flies Back for Riverfest

Admiral XXXVI (left) and his plane on display at Sun n' Fun this week. Nothing like an air show in Florida to get into the mood for Riverfest! Hot n' sunny, lots of happy guests and a food court.

....back in town for the final push to Riverfest, two weeks from today. Woohoo...Allyson reminds me to remind YOU to buy your button, consider volunteering and check out the Riverfest Photography Contest at flikr.com presented by Douglas Photographic Imaging.

XXXVI

Shoutout to our Riverfest Fan

We came across two YouTube videos today of someone trying to imitate the Admiral... what a great way to end a week!

We at the Festival office are not quite sure who 'TheeOddRod' is, but we thank him for his interpretation of the Admiral!

Hope these videos brighten your day as they did ours... Three weeks until Riverfest!

Click here and here for great entertainment.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Button and to do it Early

1) Invest in your community. Riverfest funding does NOT depend on tax revenues.

2) If you buy early, Riverfest costs only 55 cents a day for nine days!

3) It's a fashion statement!

4) Add to your button collection (or start one)!

5) You get a Riverfest guide to plan your week ahead of time as well as coupons to Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Blockbuster and the Festival Souvenir Store!

6) It helps you to a) find your groove and b) to get it on!

7) You no longer have to avoid those friendly but persistent button-sellers!

8) You can explore all the new places to wear your button, in advance.

9) Huge bowl of free ice cream at the Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Social!

10) The Admiral appreciates it as a 33 year River Festival participant!

XXXVI

Just a red blur.....

Admiral will be sailing around town this coming week:

Monday, Wednesday, Saturday: Continuing to condition for the Bank of America River Run
Tuesday: At Seltzer Elementary congratulating the winner of the Tot Trot T-shirt artwork contest
Thursday: Luncheon appearance at Go Wichita (formerly Greater Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau) board meeting
Friday: Roll with the Street Team to Cessna Employees Credit Union for button sales and event sign-up opportunities
Saturday: Riverfest Operations Committee special project (confidential)

See you around town. Should you want The Admiral to visit your club, school or civic group just let the Wichita Festivals, Inc. office know.
XXXVI

The City Turns Purple!

No, it's not because of Easter. It's because IT'S RIVERFEST BUTTON-SELLING SEASON! A complete list of retailers selling buttons is available on the Riverfest website however the main locations are QuikTrip, Walgreens and Wal-Mart.

I invite you to "get your groove on" AND to wear your Riverfest button right away! Your friends will invariably ask "oh, is it Festival time?" and then you can tell them the dates and be a spokesperson for the Admiral by inviting them to turn purple too!

Also: Teams are signing up for PLUNGE presented by Aeroflex. Don't get left out; the first 16 teams are teed up for fun, excitement and competition for big awards! Details on this Wichita Festivals Inc. website.

XXXVI

Admiral's Faves

Festival Preview Press Conference today, what a great line-up for '09!

Share your Festival favorites on the blog - mine are:
Pretty much any evening concert - there is something about concerts downtown at night under the stars!

Budweiser Wild and Wacky Cruisers, sponsored by Jimmie's Diner and Kings-X. It's back this year!

Intrust Festival of Broadway sponsored in part by Music Theatre of Wichita, celebrating LOTS of great young Midwestern talent mixed in with Broadway performers.

Dodge Ball, sponsored by Butler County Community College and Monster Energy Drink.

....and the finale, Capitol Federal Fireworks.

Invest in a $5 button and enjoy them all!

XXXVI

Press Conference Location Moved

Thanks to the ever-changing Kansas weather, the New Events press conference that was scheduled for 1 pm at A. Price Woodard Park today has been moved inside to the Crystal Ballroom at The Broadview Hotel, located at the corner of Douglas and Waco in downtown Wichita. The press conference will still begin at 1 p.m.

We want to thank The Broadview for their hospitality... and for allowing us all to stay warm!

Monday Mojo

Order yourself a tall coffee or energy drink Monday morning and let's go! It's press conference day (1:00 PM in A. Price Woodard Park)which means you will hear about the new...and returning....Riverfest events.

Buttons go on sale; invest $5.00 in your community and be rewarded with 150+ hours of entertainment and more than 60 events. ADMIRAL's TIP: Review the Riverfest web site and program guide, decide now what events you want to attend - or better yet, to participate in - and encourage your friends to do the same. It's how I got started.

River Run registration starts; if my knee holds up during this month I will be doing the two-mile run, along with thousands of my closest friends.

PLUNGE! and Sundown Parade registrations continue.

Got questions? Ask the Admiral.

XXXVI

Who's Taking the Plunge?

I sat in on a planning meeting for PLUNGE with my Ops buddies on Tuesday. WOW! The newest and biggest addition to final Saturday at Riverfest! A mile of challenges in and around the Arkansas River... Thousands and thousands of spectators... T-95 personalities tracking every move (and plunge). As a former bathtubber, this Admiral would enter a team if he wasn't so worried about getting that borrowed red coat wet! Click here to download the entry form and get signed up TODAY!

BREAKING NEWS:
Sundown Parade registration deadline is April 10. I'll be there, you be there!

Also - Button sellers are much loved and much needed at the Festival. This is an unlimited people-watching opportunity for those with a flair for customer contact. Sign up for a shift uner the "Volunteer" tab at our website, wichitariverfestival.com.

XXXVI