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!!!