Riverfest

The second day of Riverfest ended without any rain to cause any worries. Downtown Wichita was filled with people looking for fun. "We thought we would bring the little one out with the family," said Chelsey Stefan who was at Riverfest with her toddler and family. "It's a togetherness and we have time to talk which a lot, doesn't happen nowadays," said Susan Long, who was also with her family. While they were enjoying each other, they also enjoyed the exotic animals like white tigers and camels, and everything the Arkansas River offered.                                              There was no rain at the second day of Riverfest

We are mid-way through Wichita's 9-day Riverfest.  But instead of running from tornadoes, attendees are running for the shade. Organizers didn't expect record-setting temperatures to affect them when they moved the festival from May to June.  (Wednesday marked the sixth day in a row of 100+ temperatures - a new record.) However, Janet Wright of Riverfest says so far this year, 150 thousand people have attended (that's an estimated four day total).  That's almost as many as who attended for all 8 days last year.  (Riverfest didn't even open one day in 2010 because of severe weather.)

By Dave Roberts (WICHITA, Kan.) Wichita's summer kick-off festival in downtown is ending. Riverfest was plagued by bad weather this year. Organizers were forced to cancel and reschedule many events. Although exact figures are not available yet, organizers say attendance is down this year because of the weather. Talks are underway among the board of directors about moving next year's Riverfest to a later date when the weather should be nicer. Attendees think that's a good idea.

A day in the sun means taking a dip in the water for many at Riverfest. About a dozen kids turned a fountain into their own pool to escape Sunday's triple digit heat. Riverfest used to be held in early May and the rainy weather caused attendence less than what organizers were hoping for. So the event was moved to June. Even though official numbers aren't available yet, organizers say more people are coming. To escape the heat though, people are urged to get in the shade if they start to feel overheated.

By Dave Roberts (WICHITA, Kan.) Riverfest means something special for so many in different ways. "I've grown up with it, we go all the time. So it's kind of like a tradition that we come out every year," said Melissa Hudson who was at Riverfest with her family. The day started out with the River Run, a race through downtown Wichita. "The River Run is special to me, I'm a native Wichitan, so I have memories of the Riverfest going back years and years I know I used to do the two mile with my dad when I was a little girl so it's special," said Jinny Ellis.

By Ryan Johnson (WICHITA, Kan.) The concert lineup for 2010 Riverfet is announced. This years lineup features artists from all types of genres including classic rock , country, and more.  There will also be many local musicians. Janet Wright, President/CEO of Wichita Festivals Inc. says, "This years' line-up has something for everyone.   From well-known bands who've been around a long time and have great hits to new performers with releases that are hitting the top of the charts.

What will this year's Riverfest poster look like? We'll find out soon. Wichita Festivals Inc. says it will unveil the 2012 poster artwork this month. The news conference is sceduled for 1:30 in the afternoon, February 28, at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview at 400 W. Douglas. Count on Eyewitness News to have coverage on-line and on the air.

Have ideas for next year's Wichita River Festival? Festival sponsors will hold a public forum on October 18 at 6:30 pm for individuals to share event ideas for the 2013 Riverfest.  Those with new ideas and event concepts are encouraged to attend the event which will be held at the Wichita Festivals offices, 1820 E. Douglas. Those that are unable to attend, but still would like to have a new event considered for inclusion in the 2013 Riverfest, can submit a new event form available on the Riverfest web site, www.wichitariverfest.com.

Wichita’s River Festival celebrates its 40th birthday this year. The celebration starts Friday and runs through June 11.  Along with the festivals birthday a special button tradition continues. By way of contest selection the button acts as a an admission pass for Riverfest participants. In the early 70's, the button began to encourage economic support for the festival.  Throughout the decades the  price of buttons has slightly gone up, but the meaning behind the design remains the same. 

Volunteers clean up the Arkansas River banks in preparation for Riverfest. Hundreds turned out to pick up trash and debris along the river. The River Trash Round-Up was also a way to wrap up Earth Day celebrations. Organizers credit the good turnout to the good weather. Libby Anderson took part in the clean-up. She says, "It's wonderful to have it clean, we zip by it on the highway so often. But its great to come down here to the riverbanks and actually see one of the founding reasons of our whole city here.

National stars and diverse talents are scheduled to take the stage during Wichita's Riverfest this summer. Chris Mann will perform opening night, May 31. He will be accompanied by the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. Mann is a Wichita native and a finalist for NBC's "The Voice. " Saturday, June 1, Mike Finnigan and the Phantom Blues Band will entertain with its eclectic mix of Texas Blues, Memphis Soul, and Jamaican R&B. The two-time Grammy award-winning group has performed with Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Elton John, and others.

Wichita's Riverfestival isn't just getting a new look, but new buttons to mark the celebrations this year. For the first time in the event's 42-year history, a $3 child button will be offered for kids ages 6 to 12. Children 5 years old and younger get into the festival for free. Mary Beth Jarvis, Wichita Festival's president and CEO, said she hopes the changes encourage families to enjoy the festival together. "A family of five can now attend Riverfest for less than $20 on everyone's buttons," she said.

The Wichita River Festival has a new leader. Wichita Festivals, Inc., has hired Mary Beth Jarvis as its new President and CEO. She takes over November 1 from Janet Wright. Wright announced in July that she is stepping down after 13 years with the organization. Jarvis moved to Wichita in 1994 as a captain in the United States Air Force. She served as chief of public affairs for McConnell Air Force Base. From 1996-2011, Jarvis held various positions within Koch Industries, including Director, Public and International Affairs for Koch Companies Public Sector, Vice President, Government & Public Affairs, for INVISTA and Communication Director for Koch Industries.

Have ideas for next year's Wichita River Festival? Festival sponsors will hold a public forum on October 18 at 6:30 pm for individuals to share event ideas for the 2013 Riverfest.  Those with new ideas and event concepts are encouraged to attend the event which will be held at the Wichita Festivals offices, 1820 E. Douglas. Those that are unable to attend, but still would like to have a new event considered for inclusion in the 2013 Riverfest, can submit a new event form available on the Riverfest web site, www.wichitariverfest.com.

A windy evening will prevail across the state but speeds will back down just a bit after sunset.  Overall, still a breezy night ahead, which will keep the area in the 60s and 70s for lows.  We'll see mostly clear skies. Some big changes are ahead thanks to a cold front, which will enter northwest Kansas early Sunday morning.  This front will sink southeastward during the day and will take a bite out of the heat for the west.  Instead of 90s or triple digits, places like Goodland, Garden City and Hays will be in the 80s.  Ahead of the front though, another day in the 90s is forecast, along with gusty south winds.  There will be plenty of moisture around for the front to lift late Sunday afternoon and evening, which spells a bout of thunderstorms.  Some of these storms will likely turn severe, with large hail and high winds the main concerns.  Storms will continue into the evening hours then partly to mostly cloudy skies will take over.

How many funnel cakes can you eat in 10 minutes? That was the challenge for a group of contestants at the Wichita River Festival's annual funnel cake eating contest. Each contestant tried to down as many of the high calorie, sugary treats as they could.  The winner was able to pack away four and a half cakes. He won the competition last year as well.  In case you were wondering an eight ounce funnel cake has 750 calories, tha'ts 200 calories more than a McDonald's Big Mac. Reporter Video How many funnel cakes can you eat in 10 minutes?

A popular exhibit at Riverfest is causing some people to protest. White tigers are on display, and some people feel the exhibit is inhumane. A protest will be held Saturday afternoon against it. "It's just inhumane, I just think it's wrong and they should do something about it," said Valerie Niblack who's organizing the protest. Click here for photos from the River Festival   "All the white tigers in the United States are severely inbred, many of them have severe birth defects, and many of them are actually still born.

A familiar cuisine is back at Riverfest, but it's not sponsored by the same organization. For more than 25 years, Goodwill Industries sponsored the Cajun Food Fest, but this year, that's not the case. Riverfest, instead, is putting on it's own version of the Cajun Food Festival. In years past, the Cajun Food Festival was sponsored by Goodwill and it served as fundraiser for the charity. According to officials with Goodwill, Riverfest offered to move the Fest to Waterwalk Plaza, but Goodwill did not like the location.  "When we looked at it and realized it was being marketed as an upscale environment and an after work crowd, we didn't feel like it was a fit for the Cajun Food Fest," said Gayle Goetz, of Goodwill Industries.

Three teenagers on bicycles were robbed while leaving the River Festival Tuesday night. Around eleven o'clock, the teens say they were approached by a group of 20 men in the 300 block of south Market. The teens say at least five of the men in the group attacked them.  They hit, kicked and punched the teens.  The men then took off with their bikes. The teens, two who are 14-years-old and the other 19-years-old had visible but not serious injuries. Police found one of their bicycles a short distance away.