15th Annual Women's Fair kicks off Friday

Escape the winter doldrums with a trip to Century II Feb. 15-17 for the 15th annual Wichita Women’s Fair. This year’s edition features the return of a business workshop, inspirational speakers, cooking demos, fashion shows and the Fitness Challenge as well as the latest in gourmet food, beauty, pampering and spa services, fashions, accessories and home décor offered by 385 exhibits in one unique marketplace.

In addition to the Fitness Challenge contenders vying to win a trip to Las Vegas, attendees will have a chance to win a trip for two to Los Angeles to attend the taping of the “American Idol” finale taping and other valuable prizes.

Women’s Fair 2013 kicks off Friday afternoon with a business workshop led by Kansas native and power coach Madeline Alexander who will present “Break Through Barriers and Achieve Power Results” at 3 p.m. on the Main Stage. The dynamic Alexander grew up in Derby and graduated from the University of Kansas before embarking on a career with Fortune 500 companies and starting her own company. 

She is the author of two books, “How to Break Through Barriers and Achieve Power Results: Create Your Power Mindset for Success in 30 Days or Less” and “Power Mindset II:  Choose to be a Champion” as well as inventor of the revolutionary Power Coaching System™.  A book signing will follow the workshop, and she will be at the Fair with her books and CDs all three days.

Following the business workshop, Girls’ Night Out with hostess Bonnie Bing will offer a dance and fitness demo at 4 p.m.; fashion show at 5 p.m.;  wine-tasting session with Guy Bower at 5:30 p.m.; an Eric Fisher Academy Runway show at 6 p.m.; food tastings by Crown Uptown and the Fox & Hound; and a cooking demonstration by popular chef Tanya Tandoc at 6:30 p.m. The Fair is open until 8 p.m. Friday to allow plenty of shopping time.

Featured speaker: From Chaos to Calm

Diane Sieg will combine her experiences as a nurse and life coach to present “Chaos to Calm: Stop living your life like an emergency,” at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on the Main Stage.

Using her 20 years of experience as an emergency room nurse, Sieg helps others learn how to take care of themselves, take charge of their lives and shift out of the crisis mode. She is the author of “Stop Living Life Like an Emergency: Rescue Strategies for the Overworked and Overwhelmed” and is the creator of “30 Days to Grace: A Daily Practice to Achieve Your Ultimate Goals.”

Sieg’s presentation is sponsored by Via Christi Health and Dress for Success Wichita. She will be at the Via Christi Women’s Connection/Dress for Success Wichita booth before and following the presentation on Saturday to sign copies of her books and CDs.

Fashion and hairstyles galore

Choreographed by Wichita-based Models and Images Modeling Agency, two different fashion shows will feature clothing and accessories from two dozen merchants and design boutiques from across the country as well as the Wichita area.

Fashion shows at 5 p.m. Friday, 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday will feature clothing and accessories from Dillard's Towne West, Dress Gallery Bridal & Prom Shop, Specs Eyewear, Accessories Etc, Chic Street Boutique, Twisted Stitch, Urbane Soule and Mane Street Style. Shows at 2:30 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday, and noon Sunday will highlight fashions from dressbarn, All Dec'd Out, Niki David Silks, Main Street Company, She Martini, Tesori Boutique, Redbird Boutique and Twila's Boutique.

In addition to runway shows and demonstrations, attendees can visit more than 100 booths to learn more about beauty services as well as purchase an array of apparel, jewelry, accessories and makeup. The Models and Images International Model Search will take place at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. For information on registering, call 612-9070 or visitwww.modelsandimages.com 

Exhibitors, salons and spas will offer the latest in hairstyles, products, beauty makeovers, demos, and a wide range of services and new products at this year’s Fair. In addition, plastic surgeons and aestheticians will be consulting on hair removal, vein treatment, skin care, facial peels, botox injections, anti-aging cosmetics, cosmetic surgery and more.

For the latest in hair fashions, the Eric Fisher Academy will present “Limitless” at 6 p.m. Friday and Xenon International Academy will present “Get the Fever” Vintage to Modern Hairstyles at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Chefs share their secrets

Cooking up demonstrations on the cooking stage at this year’s Wichita Women’s Fair will be local chefs, the Kansas Pork Association and cookbook author Kitchen Kimberley.

Chef Tanya Tandoc, owner of Tanya’s Soup Kitchen and popular KMUW culinary commentator, will present a cooking show at 6:30 p.m. Friday featuring her famous Tomato Basil Bisque and Chicken Tortilla soups. Her popular recipe card sets will be available for purchase after the demonstration.

Kitchen Kimberley, cookbook author, TV personality and spokeswoman for Southwest Dairy Farmers, will cook up a variety of enticing meals with easy-to-find yet flavorful ingredients. She is the author of three cookbooks: “Sweet Treasures,” “The Joy of Food” and “Fabulous Foodie Favorites: Cook, Eat, Smile, Repeat!”  

At 2 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday, she’ll demonstrate how to make Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup and Fiesta Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing. On the menu at 11:30 a.m. Saturday is Creamy Pasta Salad, Chocolate Chip Raspberry Tarts, and an elegant and easy Cheese Platter. At noon on Sunday she’ll demonstrate a Sunday brunch menu of Three-Cheese Quiche with Yogurt and Granola Parfait as well as Skinny Cappuccino Brunch Punch.

A new cooking attraction this year is the Pork Inspiration Café with ongoing cooking demos sponsored by the Kansas Pork Association. The café will feature recipes, coupons, food samples prepared by Kansas chefs, and a chance to win a $250 grocery giveaway from Kansas farmers. A special “Pork Inspiration” cooking show will feature Carrabba’s Joe Parten on the cooking stage at 3 p.m. on Sunday showcasing roasted Red Pepper Pesto Stuffed Pork Loin.

Parten will also present the Carrabba’s Italian Grill Cooking Show at 1:30 p.m. Sunday featuring Mama Mandola’s family recipe for Sicilian chicken soup.

More than two dozen food-related exhibitors will offer fashion aprons, cook books, kitchen utensils, gadgets of every kind, cookware, teas, gourmet pastas, dip mixes, desserts, salsas, spices, condiments and everything needed to fix a meal, outfit a kitchen or entertain in style.

Last year’s show attracted 16,000 attendees from across the state. The show is owned and operated by Wichitans Chris Veazey Brown and Deanna Wheeler.

Fair hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.  Admission is $8.25 for adults, $7.25 for seniors and $5.25 for children 6-12. Children 5 and under are free. The Party Bus will again provide free doorside transportation from Lawrence-Dumont Stadium parking lot. For more information, check the website atwww.womensfair.com and friend the Fair on Facebook.