Your Questions Answered

Thanks to everyone who sent us questions regarding Riverfest! We know that there are probably many, many more questions out there and we would love to hear them and answer them for you!

Our lovely WFI President/CEO, Janet Wright, was given five questions to answer ... and here are her responses:

Question: Why do I have to buy a button to attend Riverfest when I pay taxes?

Answer: Good question! Riverfest isn’t funded by the City of Wichita. Wichita Festivals is an independent non-profit organization. We rely on corporate sponsorships, charitable contributions, button and food sales to pay for Riverfest. We receive a grant from the City to help off-set costs and they provide help through the Park and Public Works Departments, but they don’t fund the Festival.


Question: I have a great idea for an event at Riverfest. Who do I need to talk to about putting this in place?

Answer: We love new ideas! Check out our web site at wichitariverfestival.com or click here for information on how to propose a new event. Or, if you’d like to talk to someone for more information call our office at 267-2817 and ask to speak to Kathryn Ewing, Director of Events. She’d love to hear your idea!

Question: Why is Riverfest held at the beginning of May? I’ve heard a lot of people complain about the timing… I just assumed that it was a ‘tradition’ to have it then.

Answer: Yes, the timing of Riverfest is primarily tradition. It’s always been Wichita’s celebration of spring. We’ve checked into having it in June thinking the weather might be better, but records show we have as much rain in June as in May, so there appears to be no ideal time. We may consider moving it to later in the month of May for 2011, but nothing is confirmed at this time.

Question: Can you please get a big-name entertainer to Riverfest?!

Answer: We’ve had several big-name entertainers recently, Daughtry and Nick Lachey to name a couple. But in terms of even bigger “stars” their fees can range from $150,000 to $500,000 depending on the person. Unfortunately that’s just not in our budget at this time.

Question: I’m 25 and have lived in Wichita for the past three years, but have yet to go to Riverfest. Is there anything for people my age to do or anyway to get involved?

Answer: (Answered by the 26-year-old staffer!) I, also, have only lived in Wichita for a few years. When I first learned of Riverfest, I was told about the concerts and the food... which is wonderful! After having worked the Festival, I have learned there are plenty of things for someone your age to enjoy. If you are active, try participating in Plunge or the Dodge Ball tournament and win some money! If you like to sit back and relax, find a spot in Downtown Wichita on First Friday and watch the parade, bring a chair down and go to the concerts at West Bank Stage and Kennedy Plaza or just come and people watch! And the food and drinks are always great... If you want to become more directly involved, think about volunteering or being on a Riverfest committee. There is also Festival Crew, which is a way for individuals to support Wichita Festivals and Riverfest while also enjoying special benefits such as backstage passes to the concerts, special seating at the parade, VIP chalet passes to West Bank and Kennedy Plaza concerts, etc.

Hope this satisfies your curiousity for now! Again, if you ever have any questions, feel free to call our office at 267-2817 or contact any of the staff and we'll be sure to find the answers for you!

Come Sail Away with Wichita Festivals!

Interested in spending five days in the sun and water during one of the coldest months in Wichita? Then you've come to the right place!

Wichita Festivals has teamed up with Royal Caribbean to offer a 'Friends of the Festival' Cruise, departing from the Sunshine State on February 22, 2010.

The five-night cruise offers a round-trip itinerary from Miami, Fla., and will make port of call stops in Cozumel, Mexico and Belize City, Belize on the Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. Four stateroom options are available at various price points.

Not only will passengers have the chance to mingle with fellow Wichitans and support WFI and Riverfest, they will be aboard a cruise ship with some of the cruise industry’s most amazing features: a rock-climbing wall, basketball court, ice skating rink, in-line skating track, a five-story theatre, casino, miniature golf course and a three-story dining room to name a few.

Included in the per person cruise fare is a $50 tax-deductible contribution to WFI. Royal Caribbean will match a portion of the contribution, making this a win-win for everyone!

For more information about the 'Friends of the Festival' Cruise, click here or call Devin Hansen, Sunflower Realty, at (316) 634-1700.

Make your reservation today and support Riverfest 2010!

Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill out our Riverfest feedback survey. We were very pleased with the responses and have taken the comments into consideration for planning of the 2010 Riverfest.

We had our wonderful Admiral Windwagon Smith XXXVI, Dave Carter, draw the winner of the two (2) free roundtrip AirTran Airways tickets out of a hat. I promise you, they were mixed up, tossed and jumbled numerous times before the actual winner's name was drawn.

Want to know who won... just for filling out a survey?!

Click here to find out!

Again, thanks to everyone who participated. We look forward to seeing you at next year's Riverfest, May 7-15, 2010!

The Results are in...

Thanks to everyone who filled out the survey regarding Riverfest. All of the comments and suggestions have been compiled for the entire Wichita Festivals staff to see.

Now for the winner of the two FREE roundtrip AirTran Airways tickets...

Drum roll, please...

NOT SO FAST!

Check back here (or on Twitter... or on Facebook) next Thursday, August 13, to find out the winner via a *special* announcement!

Thanks again! See you next Thursday!