And The Winner Is...?

Wichita, Kan. - Wichita Festivals, Inc. (WFI), producer of Riverfest, today announced the winning design of the 2011 poster artwork competition. Artist Scott Dawson created the design that will be used for the 40th annual Riverfest. The design reflects this years' theme "Rediscover Riverfest" with a butterfly coming to life.

Dawson originally created his poster concept a few years ago, before the poster competition began, and filed it away. "I came across it last summer and decided to try and rework it and see if I liked [the art] better," says Dawson. Once Dawson learned the poster competition was being re-introduced, he decided to enter and requested an entry form.

"Once I read the theme "Rediscover Riverfest," I thought it was a good fit with my idea," says Dawson. Like Riverfest, butterflies are seasonal and there are new forms of butterflies every season.

"Scott's art and the theme are representative of the changes and new additions being implemented for this years' Riverfest," noted Janet Wright, WFI President/CEO. "The change in dates for the festival and the new venues we will be using, all work together to reflect the theme and the art," explained Wright.

And the Winner Is...?

In honor of the 83rd annual Academy Awards, we're going to play a guessing game today on the 94th day till the 40th annual Riverfest begins. In November Wichita Festivals, Inc., announced that they would be reinstating an annual tradition that was on a 4 year hiatus. Yes that's it, the poster artwork competition is back, and I'm here not to announce the winner of the competition but to give you a clue to who the artist is. The winner of the poster artwork competition is a freelance illustrator, working for over 20 years. The winner is a children's book illustrator, whos first book was published last year called "Fearless." Stumped? The winner's name will be released March 15th, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at a press conference held at Wichita Festivals, Inc. at 1820 E. Douglas. Happy Guessing!

Behind the Scenes at Wichita Festivals

While many people think that Wichita Festivals, Inc. is a city agency, that idea is not entirely correct. While the city of Wichita is a huge supporter of Riverfest and Wichita Festivals, Inc. by underwriting many of the events at Riverfest, most of our money comes from sponsors, and the vast majority comes from the community in the form of button sales. Think of buying a button as spurring community celebration.

101 Days to Riverfest: Volunteer Business of the Day

We are quickly approaching the starting date of Riverfest 2011 June 3-11. Today I wanted to thank our official volunteer sponsor, Wichita Downtown Development Corporation,! WDDC has been extremely helpful in encouraging businesses to sponsor Riverfest events, sending out weekly volunteer e-blasts, networking with other businesses, and the WDDC has been promoting Wichita Festivals on their website as well http://www.downtownwichita.org/ . Thank you WDDC for your support!

Rediscover Riverfest

Rediscover Riverfest, that’s the theme for the Sundown Parade this year so start thinking about your float entries. The entry can either be a float, an inflatable, a band, horses, or a walking unit. All Entries need to reflect the theme and be entertaining. There will be $3,500 awarded in prize money, so don’t delay, start working on your parade idea. To apply go to www.wichitariverfest.com beginning in April. Application deadline is May 6th, 2011.

40th Riverfest but not 40th Admiral

To celebrate Wichita's 100th birthday, an event called the Wichitennial River Festival in 1970 was organized, which was part of a year-long celebration for Wichita's 100th birthday, and was only a weekend long. Organizers wanted all segments of the community to participate in this day-long spree of events. The celebration was free to the public and featured down-home, all-American, non sophisticated activities drawing citizens from every corner of the community. Some of the events were a Sing Out Salute for the Centennial followed by a Kids' Bike Parade, beginning at Kansas Gas & Electric's reflecting pond and ending at Cowtown where a Country Fair, Centennial Carnival, Sidewalk Cafe and Art Exhibit were held.

The First Wichitennial River Festival began with a smoking of the peace pipe by Mayor Enoch (Wichita) and Mayor Secretain of Orleans, France. Most of the events were free to the public and the total budget for the 1970 festival was $9,717 and included in-kind contributions from the Wichita Art Museum, Cowtown and others. The response from the Community was overwhelming with approximately 2,000 event goers. Now Riverfest has almost 300,000 event goers.

Because the Wichitennial River Festival was so popular, community leaders decided to make the Wichitennial River Festival a yearly event and formed a non-profit, Wichita Festivals, Inc. to organize it beginning in 1972. After the centennial, the even was named what we know it today as the Wichita River Festival "Riverfest."

Because of increasing popularity of the Wichita River Festival, a mascot for the Festival, Admiral Windwagon Smith, was created in 1974. An Admiral has been named every year since. Surprisingly the Admiral is normally male; however, in 1999 Riverfest got its first female admiral, Linda Davidson, to represent the Wichita River Festival.

Happy Holidays

The staff at Wichita Festivals, Inc. would like to wish you and yours a very safe and happy holiday season.

Our office will close from December 24 - 31, but will be back in full swing on January 3.

We will see you in 2011!

Poster Artwork Contest Returns for 40th Anniversary

It's back.............the Poster Artwork Contest returns for next year's 40th anniversary celebration!!!

The poster design contest includes the layout of an original poster and button design. The art must be original art and be adaptable to other Riverfest materials such as merchandise, print collateral and advertising campaign materials. Artwork has to be submitted in computer-formatted vector form and include the 2011 festival theme “Rediscover

Contest entries must be received by January 4, 2011 by 5:00 pm at Wichita Festivals, Inc., 1820 E. Douglas, Wichita, Kansas 67214. The entries will then be judged and a winner publicly announced with the unveiling of the artwork in March, 2011.

A cash prize of $3,500 will be awarded to the contest winner!

Event Ideas? Interested in being a food vendor? Do you have great band?

Riverfest 2011 is now accepting applications for new event ideas, food vendors, and entertainment. Applications are available at wichitariverfest.com!!

Riverfest named one of North America's top 100 events

Riverfest has been designated as one of the top 100 events in North America for 2011 by the American Bus Association!

It is the seventh time Riverfest has been recognized since the group started the list in 1982. The American Bus Association represents approximately 1,000 motorcoach and tour companies in the United States and Canada.

Riverfest was selected from more than 650 nominations submitted by American Bus Association members.

Riverfest Donation Benefits Victory in the Valley

Wichita Festivals, Inc. made a $2,000 contribution to Victory in the Valley on behalf of the Bob Struble Memorial Golf Tournament held during Riverfest this year!

This was the fifth year for the tournament held in memory of Struble, long-time Riverfest volunteer and former WFI board chairman. "Bob was a great volunteer who bravely fought cancer for several years, so it's appropriate for us to make this contribution in his memory to an organization that helps cancer victims and survivors," explained Janet Wright, Wichita Festivals President/CEO.

Over 100 players participated in the tournament held May 10 at Willowbend Country Club. Funds raised came through hole contests held during the tournament and individual donations made by players.

"This is a fun tournament and everyone has a great time," noted Mark Moss, chairman of the tournament. "It just make it even better when we can make a donation of this size to an organization that really makes a difference in the lives of cancer patients."

Photo: Kathryn Ewing, WFI Director of Events; Diana Thomi, Executive Director Victory in the Valley; and Mark Moss, tournament chair.

Riverfest Volunteer Jim Griswold Galaxy Winner

Wichita Festivals, Inc. (WFI) and its volunteer commitee treated Riverfest volunteers to an appreciation social this past weekend!

Selection of the "Volunteer of the Year" award was announced and presented to Jim Griswold, a first year member of the operations committee. Griswold was presented with the Galaxy Award for outstanding service and commitment to WFI during Riverfest.

"It is difficult to pick one person from so many great volunteers to receive this award," noted Janet Wright, President/CEO. "But, Jim stood out. He spent countless hours before, during and after the festival helping. He's a great example of the true volunteer spirit."

Jim is senior vice-president of the Tom Lange Co.

Congratulations Jim!!!

See you next June.....

Wichita Festivals, Inc. announced this morning that the 2011 festival will be held June 3 - 11! The June timeframe will give more families the opportunity to enjoy the festivities without the conflict of end of year school activities, graduations, etc. We are really excited about the new date and look forward to seeing all of you next June!

A Big Thank You!

We wanted to thank EVERYONE who played a part in Riverfest 2010! From volunteers, to food vendors, to entertainers to YOU ... the attendees... We hope that you were able to come out and enjoy the Festival!

Yes, it was rainy. Yes, there were tornado sirens going off! And yes, at times, it seemed a little chilly for May! But we do live in the state that if you wait 10 minutes, the weather will change! We thank you for venturing out through the good and the bad!

We are excited to start planning for Riverfest 2011, the 40th Anniversary of the Festival! It will be a big year and a BIG party for the Festival and the City of Wichita... so we'll see you in a little less than 365 days!

Updates to Riverfest Schedule for Final Day

The final day of Riverfest will see only slight changes to the schedule due to the weather forecasted for today.

The Kansas Lottery 2nd Chance Drawing will be moved from the Douglas Street Bridge to inside Century II’s Exhibition Hall. Doors to Exhibition Hall will open at 6:00 pm and the drawing will take place at 6:30 pm.

The Koch Twilight Pops Concert will move indoors to the Century II Exhibition Hall also. The concert will begin at 8:30 pm. Please remember to bring chairs as they will not be provided.

The Capitol Federal Fireworks will go on as planned at 9:45 pm. Rain or shine!

Plunge will also go on as planned, beginning at 3:00 pm on the Arkansas River, between the Lewis and Douglas Street bridges.

The USAF Heartland of America Band, scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm at the Tripodal Grass Area near Century II, has been canceled.

Some elements of Cessna Kids Korner will be open. The inflatable and hard rides will open, weather permitting.

Portrait with the Admiral that was scheduled to take place on the Douglas Street Bridge at 6:00 pm will move to the overhang of Century II, adjacent to the Food Court.

All other events will go on as scheduled.

The Food Court at Century II will be open for business at 11:00 am. The Riverfest Marketplace will be open from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm inside Century II’s Expo Hall. The Gospelfest that was rescheduled from Monday evening will begin at 12:30 pm inside Convention Hall at Century II. The Wichita Children’s Theatre will have three showings of “The Ugly Duckling” at Noon, 1:30 and 3:00 pm at Mary Jane Teall Theatre in Century II.

We'll see you out there!

The Admiral & His New Buddy

Come Out to See Joe Nichols!

Mother Nature might be showing her ugly face again soon in Downtown Wichita, but that will not stop us from continuing the party!

The Coleman Country Concert that was to take place on Kennedy Plaza Stage Wednesday evening has been moved indoors.

Come out at 6:00 pm and enjoy the sounds of Jonathon Singleton & The Grove, followed by headliner Joe Nichols at 7:30 pm.

Make sure you bring your comfy lawnchairs and find a good seat and enjoy three hours of great country music!

Remember: All of tonight's events are FREE with your Riverfest button... that is only $5 ... and can be purchased at the gate to the events, at the Festival Merchandise Store or at any Dillons, QuikTrip, Walgreens or Walmart in Wichita.

Rescheduled Riverfest Events

Just to keep everyone updated...


The Play - Family Reunion: Thursday, May 13 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm inside Mary Jane Teall Theatre in Century II

Hot Air Balloon Glow & Children's Balloon Release: Friday, May 14 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at Hyatt Lawn

Gospelfest: Saturday, May 15 from 12:30 - 4:00 pm at Century II's Convention Hall

Riverfest Events for Monday, May 10 Canceled

Due to the threat of severe weather this afternoon and evening, all Riverfest events have been canceled, including the Food Court at Century II.

Wichita Festivals staff and event coordinators for The Gospelfest and The Play - Family Reunion are hoping to be rescheduled for later this week.

Though we know that Kansas weather changes every 10 minutes, we are doing what we feel is most safe for our Festival attendees. We are bummed that the weather is not on our side at the moment, but we hope that we can get all of the events that have been canceled thus far rescheduled so you can all enjoy them!

All Riverfest events will resume tomorrow as scheduled with the Garden Gala at Botanica starting at 10:00 am and the Food Court at Century II opening at 11:00 am.

Thanks for your understanding and let's start crossing fingers for gorgeous weather the remainder of the Festival!

Riverfest Updates

I hope you are all out enjoying the numerous Riverfest events and concerts as we wrap up day three of the Festival!

Though the weather has been a little on the chillier side, that has not stopped people from coming out! The Festival grounds were PACKED all day Saturday! It was a great sight to see!

Unfortunately, there is one event we have had to cancel due to the lovely strong winds that have swept through Wichita today (let's not kid ourselves - there are strong winds on MOST days in Wichita!).

The Hot Air Balloon Glow & Children's Balloon Release that was scheduled to take place tonight, Sunday, May 9, on Hyatt Lawn from 6:00 - 9:00 pm has been canceled for this evening. Our hope is that we will be able to reschedule for a time later this week.

So let's keep our fingers crossed that this event DOES eventually take place and that some of the nasty storms we have been hearing about for Monday will stay far, far away!

Thanks to all for coming out to Riverfest so far. If you haven't been out, make your way down this week! It's going to be PACKED with things to do!

Sidenote: If you happened to have missed a few days of the Festival and want to see what has been going on, please check out this link. Thank to Infinite Effect Productions, they will be giving us daily videos of all the events taking place! Be sure to check it out!