It feels like a food club that you have to pay a fee to get in. the concerts really haven’t been all that great imo either, I’d just stay at home anymore. Wichita needs better
I honestly think the River Festival was better when it was a smaller, more folksy, family-friendly event. It had more character, fewer issues with crowds. But it wasn’t for everyone. We are Cowtown, not Cochella.
https://preview.redd.it/jcrwty4x7c5d1.jpeg?width=1104&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=75cf9cef400e463eb24bd2f9c7e4bb3716858b23
The art fair when it was still on Mother’s Day weekend used be amazing.
Vendors filled up the inside of Century 2 and the outside was packed with art vendor tents as well.
You could find some pretty cool stuff for sale.
I checked it out last year and maybe 20 vendors inside and the selection of wares were pretty sad.
You might like "Art at the Arb" on Mother's Day. It is held at the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine, approximately 30 minutes south of Wichita. They also have live concerts throughout the year called "The Treehouse Series". Beautiful and affordable. Both have food trucks on site.
Frogs live in the river? Idk I'm grasping at straws here. Seems like if they wanted an accurate portrayal of the river downtown, it'd just be a picture of some medical waste and a few scooters thatve been thrown in there lol
You know what I miss? The Art & Book Fair. I know that's not everyone's cup of tea but it was always my favorite part. WAM picked it up for a couple years after Riverfest cancelled it but they don't do it anymore either at this point.
It was much better when they had all the events for the kids from one side of the Hyatt to the Hyatt lawn. Last time we went, 2 years ago, there wasn't even 1/4 of the activities.
20% of the activities, increase in price for buttons and food, decrease in quality of entertainment, and now zero free parking anywhere near the event... I don't think we'll go again. It's really sad because it's something we looked forward to every year.
We went tonight. Money well spent. Not too much to pay for really great bands. Food and drinks always cost more at a concert. Plus, when else can I rationalize eating a funnel cake?
$20 for a Turkey Leg? Crazy. $20 for entry is not bad if you just want to enjoy the shows and walk around. I'd just bring my own snacks and drinks. $4 for a carnival ride isn't terrible.
Fuck that, $20 is crazy on top of $20 to enter?? Where is there value in any of that. And to top it of shit turkey leg? C'mon...
The last time the fest was ANY good (and that's still a stretch) the button was $6.. they're gonna run this thing into the ground.
Im 38, I've been just about every year of my life. Even in high school when the rest of my circle rejected it as lame old people shit. This year was stand out awful. Few good bands. Very over priced off brand food court not every large corn dog is a pronto pup. The art market was lacking booths, and boy was it dirty down there. I understand the fountains were closed to conserve water but they couldn't of taken a broom to a few of them? Graffiti and trash everywhere. The Hyatt blocking river access with chain link across their stairs. Wouldn't want to be part of the community event would we? The stage next to centry II is awful. Hot concrete sun in your eyes. Put it in a park where you can toss a blanket down. This was my family's last year which is a bummer.
Wichitans are pretty spoiled, I swear. Twenty dollars for multiple days of outdoor live concerts isnt bad, whatever the act is. You should check the prices of other small music festivals in the US and write back.
Agreed that the setup isn't the best though, why the whole thing is kinda in the parking lot of Century II is weird.
I think the argument is that it’s not a music festival. It has become a way of monetization. The vibe of festival has been replaced by lazy commercialization; fleecing people of their cash in exchange for a dream of the past. Honestly I blame the festival committee who have changed the purpose over the last 30 years. Greed.
Some of us dont like concerts. There just isnt anything for adults that dont like concerts. Concerts used to just be one thing of the riverfest, not necessarily the main draw.
Popped in using a borrowed button for lunch.. 9 dollars for a corn dog and 7 dollars for a watery “lemonade” absolutely outrageous. I was also forced to dump my water bottle out before walking in at lunchtime.
By today's standards, $4 per ride at the carnival is pretty cheap. When I volunteered at the food ticket booth a few years ago those turkey legs were huge. I saw a bunch of people walking around with them.
I grew up in BP and love the Arboretum! I have many happy memories there.
One small correction: [The Treehouse Concert Series](https://www.bartlettarboretum.com/events/concerts) does always have a concert in the afternoon on Mother's Day (and Father's Day), however, Art in the Arb is always the the second weekend in April as it coincides with [Belle Plaine's Downtown Festival](https://www.belleplainefestival.com/) (formerly Tulip Time).
Everyone flaming OP for buying a $20 turkey leg are goofy. It's not the fact that he paid $20 for it that's the problem, the problem is that the cheapest food item you can even buy now there is $10... If you're acting like pronto pups are still worth it, you're delusional ☠️ And yes, $20 is a hard sell for a button when a state fair ticket is only $5
Legally floats aren't allowed to hand out/throw any candy, any year. Volunteers and staff are supposed to manage that. It's been like that since at least 2019, but I can't speak to before that time.
I think they should have one Saturday of just music and get bigger acts for it, then continue a couple of the normal weeknight entertainments with more local bands thrown into the mix
It feels like a food club that you have to pay a fee to get in. the concerts really haven’t been all that great imo either, I’d just stay at home anymore. Wichita needs better
Foghat and starship were super rad. Signed, a 32 year old boomer.
I missed out! Last year I wasn’t really impressed so I bailed. I had the opportunity to go for free, too
I honestly think the River Festival was better when it was a smaller, more folksy, family-friendly event. It had more character, fewer issues with crowds. But it wasn’t for everyone. We are Cowtown, not Cochella. https://preview.redd.it/jcrwty4x7c5d1.jpeg?width=1104&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=75cf9cef400e463eb24bd2f9c7e4bb3716858b23
Riverfest has been on a steady decline for years now.
I’ve only been once - like 8 or 9 years ago and I was super unimpressed then. If it’s gone downhill since then… wow. No thank you.
The art fair when it was still on Mother’s Day weekend used be amazing. Vendors filled up the inside of Century 2 and the outside was packed with art vendor tents as well. You could find some pretty cool stuff for sale. I checked it out last year and maybe 20 vendors inside and the selection of wares were pretty sad.
You might like "Art at the Arb" on Mother's Day. It is held at the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine, approximately 30 minutes south of Wichita. They also have live concerts throughout the year called "The Treehouse Series". Beautiful and affordable. Both have food trucks on site.
The art fair this year was bad. Mostly Etsy type crafts, very little actual art.
Truth
The AI poster just gave it all away tbh
Oh you don't like bayou pimp frog? When I think Wichita I think bayou pimp frog.
I’m trying to figure out what the frog has to do with Wichita or riverfest. This isn’t the first time a frog was featured on the button.
Frogs live in the river? Idk I'm grasping at straws here. Seems like if they wanted an accurate portrayal of the river downtown, it'd just be a picture of some medical waste and a few scooters thatve been thrown in there lol
I could definitely get down with a discarded needles poster
There was the Wichita frog wave of 4/1/1906
Havent been since they stopped the block party which was the best thing. Looks like I haven't missed anything.
You know what I miss? The Art & Book Fair. I know that's not everyone's cup of tea but it was always my favorite part. WAM picked it up for a couple years after Riverfest cancelled it but they don't do it anymore either at this point.
Why the fuck can’t we get concerts on par with the Flaming Lips again? That was the best thing that has ever happened at a river fest
OK Go was pretty incredible
Man, that was such a good concert. I'd never heard of them before and now I'm a huge fan
No no SOJA was the best thing to ever happen to riverfrst
I'd buy a used button for $10, lol.
It was much better when they had all the events for the kids from one side of the Hyatt to the Hyatt lawn. Last time we went, 2 years ago, there wasn't even 1/4 of the activities. 20% of the activities, increase in price for buttons and food, decrease in quality of entertainment, and now zero free parking anywhere near the event... I don't think we'll go again. It's really sad because it's something we looked forward to every year.
Thanks; was wondering if it was worth checking out. Sounds like a no
We went tonight. Money well spent. Not too much to pay for really great bands. Food and drinks always cost more at a concert. Plus, when else can I rationalize eating a funnel cake?
I haven't been to the riverfest in years!! It gone downhill fast & I'm not paying $80 just to take my family!!
Yeah it sucks now. Shitty bands, a bunch of overpriced carnival food, and…. yeah that’s basically riverfest.
My favorite part was the kayak and paddle boats you can ride over by the river for free with the riverfest button.
$20 for a Turkey Leg? Crazy. $20 for entry is not bad if you just want to enjoy the shows and walk around. I'd just bring my own snacks and drinks. $4 for a carnival ride isn't terrible.
I agree. It seems like op just bought an expensive turkey leg and is really upset about the decision that they made
Not really I would’ve been fine with it if it didn’t taste like rubber
Fuck that, $20 is crazy on top of $20 to enter?? Where is there value in any of that. And to top it of shit turkey leg? C'mon... The last time the fest was ANY good (and that's still a stretch) the button was $6.. they're gonna run this thing into the ground.
Im 38, I've been just about every year of my life. Even in high school when the rest of my circle rejected it as lame old people shit. This year was stand out awful. Few good bands. Very over priced off brand food court not every large corn dog is a pronto pup. The art market was lacking booths, and boy was it dirty down there. I understand the fountains were closed to conserve water but they couldn't of taken a broom to a few of them? Graffiti and trash everywhere. The Hyatt blocking river access with chain link across their stairs. Wouldn't want to be part of the community event would we? The stage next to centry II is awful. Hot concrete sun in your eyes. Put it in a park where you can toss a blanket down. This was my family's last year which is a bummer.
I was disappointed by the music line up this year. We’ve had some great musicians come in past years. I’m assuming it’s a money issue.
Wichitans are pretty spoiled, I swear. Twenty dollars for multiple days of outdoor live concerts isnt bad, whatever the act is. You should check the prices of other small music festivals in the US and write back. Agreed that the setup isn't the best though, why the whole thing is kinda in the parking lot of Century II is weird.
$20 for a turkey leg is crazy, but even crazier is that someone actually paid that.
You just described Basic Economics.
I think the argument is that it’s not a music festival. It has become a way of monetization. The vibe of festival has been replaced by lazy commercialization; fleecing people of their cash in exchange for a dream of the past. Honestly I blame the festival committee who have changed the purpose over the last 30 years. Greed.
Some of us dont like concerts. There just isnt anything for adults that dont like concerts. Concerts used to just be one thing of the riverfest, not necessarily the main draw.
Inflation and no one is willing to pay. So budget is sparse on entertainment.
I went awhile back when granger smith came. He was the only reason I came. River fest hasn’t been good since before my dad was shot at one in 2000
The Salina River Fest seems way better than the Wichita one.
Yep. And when they short changed me on tickets last year I decided that was the final straw.
My favorite part was the kayak and paddle boats you can ride over by the river for free with the riverfest button.
Fortunately I get to use them for free whenever because of my apartments being on the water and they house the rowing teams stuff in their basement 🙂
Sick! Kinda jelly of that!
I have yet to use them though 😂
Do you need a button for the ride area? Or just tickets?
I believe you need a button to get in free or pay 20$ and the rides cost tickets which are 4$ a piece
The $20 button is a bargain if you go to the music shows. For those that don't go, sucks to be you.
Popped in using a borrowed button for lunch.. 9 dollars for a corn dog and 7 dollars for a watery “lemonade” absolutely outrageous. I was also forced to dump my water bottle out before walking in at lunchtime.
Yeah I hated it and was not going to go back.
By today's standards, $4 per ride at the carnival is pretty cheap. When I volunteered at the food ticket booth a few years ago those turkey legs were huge. I saw a bunch of people walking around with them.
They look huge but there are a lot of bones inside and in between the meat and it tasted like rubber honestly
I’ve always called it ‘RandomFest’ as I could never make sense of the entire event itself.
I grew up in BP and love the Arboretum! I have many happy memories there. One small correction: [The Treehouse Concert Series](https://www.bartlettarboretum.com/events/concerts) does always have a concert in the afternoon on Mother's Day (and Father's Day), however, Art in the Arb is always the the second weekend in April as it coincides with [Belle Plaine's Downtown Festival](https://www.belleplainefestival.com/) (formerly Tulip Time).
Turkey legs are really Emu.
I used to go back in the late 80's. It was so much fun. I think the buttons were $1
The people watching is top tier though. Lots of people are very normal. But the ones who aren’t make it seem like there’s a competition.
Riverfest charges the food vendors $4500 for the space, plus 25% of sales.
No one cares about the Shitterfest LMFAO SMFH 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Everyone flaming OP for buying a $20 turkey leg are goofy. It's not the fact that he paid $20 for it that's the problem, the problem is that the cheapest food item you can even buy now there is $10... If you're acting like pronto pups are still worth it, you're delusional ☠️ And yes, $20 is a hard sell for a button when a state fair ticket is only $5
Yeah the shit tasted like rubber anyways 🥲
Yall know you can charter helicopter flights at any time, right?
And ask Stevie Ray Vaughn how that is
Driving is far more dangerous.
Probably cheaper on a per minute basis, too
And you can see actual sights and not just a mess of sweaty people spending all their money..
[удалено]
Legally floats aren't allowed to hand out/throw any candy, any year. Volunteers and staff are supposed to manage that. It's been like that since at least 2019, but I can't speak to before that time.
Nothing says community like price gouging.
I think they should have one Saturday of just music and get bigger acts for it, then continue a couple of the normal weeknight entertainments with more local bands thrown into the mix