Riverfest Back in Business Today

May 12, 2010

By Eyewitness News (WICHITA, Kan.)

After a day of changes and cancelations due to the threat of severe weather, things are back to normal at the Wichita Riverfest today.

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By Rebecca Gannon (WICHITA, Kan.)

Country music fans are just now getting home after an eventful day at Wichita's Riverfest.

Organizers moved Wednesday's Joe Nichols concert indoors, in anticipation of the evening's severe weather.

The sound of Joe Nichol's country music lyrics filled Century II. Outside, rain filled puddles.

Wednesday afternoon wasn't exactly a washout for Wichita's Riverfest. But the clouds rolled in around 6 o'clock, proving Wednesday night would be.

"We were actually the face painters," said Sonja Ottaway, "and we can't paint because of the weather. Afraid all the paint's going to get wet. So we'll just try it again tomorrow."

When asked if Erin Douthett and her three children would stick around for the evening's concert, she answered, "We were, but I don't feel like having the kids out here in the wind and the rain." Her son disagreed. He was outruled.

But even the storms couldn't dampen the spirits of some die-hard Joe Nichols fans.

"Because they were all going south of us," said concert attendee Mark Horn baker. "We wanted to enjoy the sights and the concert tonight with Joe Nichols."

"Maybe not so much if the tornadoes were closer, but the rain doesn't bother me," said Stacey Steele.

Keri Shirley added, "I've lived in Kansas most of my life," she said, "I've gone through all kinds of storms."

Because - at least to these fans - Mother Nature's concert can't compare to the one Joe Nichols can put on, even if it was indoors.

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