Besides grilling out this Labor Day Weekend, why not check out some local events that you can enjoy with the whole family. Spend an evening enjoying the local arts and culture of Wichita or check out a four day family festival in McAdams Park.
Also, don’t forget that this is the last weekend to go see the extraordinary Star Wars Exhibit at Exploration Place. This is definitely an event that you’ll want to check out if you haven’t already! Read on for more information on Toto’s top 5 weekend picks. Make sure to also check out other Kansas events on FetchToto’s Events Calendar: http://events.fetchtoto.com/
1) Final Friday
Time: 7:00 PM
Date: Friday, August 31
Where: Various Venues
Info: http://downtownwichita.org/have_fun-first_final_friday.php
Why you should go: It’s the last Friday of the month, which means that the August Final Friday will be celebrated in downtown Wichita. If you’ve never heard of Final Friday, it’s a monthly event that celebrates the local arts and culture in Wichita. Every last Friday of the month, area art galleries, retail shops, museums and restaurants stay open late to welcome visitors.
Art galleries usually use the day to unveil new artwork or as a closing reception for a show. Since many of the Final Friday art galleries are close together, visitors can view several galleries all in one evening. Art shows aren’t the only things to see while out on Final Friday. You can also listen to live music at many downtown restaurants or participate in other unique Final Friday activities.
All Final Friday venues are free and open to the public. There is also a free Qline trolley service that will transport art lovers to the Downtown venues. The trolley ride allows attendees to park once and visit as many Final Friday galleries/events as they wish.
PHOTOS: Chalk Art Festival (Items will be auctioned in Final Friday)
2) “We Are Family” Reunion
Date & Time:
Friday, August 31 – 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Saturday, September – 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Where: The Keeper of the Plains, 755 W. Central, Wichita
Cost: FREE, $25 for White Linen Affair (includes dinner), $5 for Praise and Pancakes (all-you-can-eat pancakes), $10 for family concert
Info: http://tkaamuseum.org
Why you should go: “We Are Family” Reunion is a three day event this Labor Day weekend that will blend a mixture of education and entertainment into a big family celebration for families from across the state. The Kansas African American Museum will host several events down on the Arkansas River, including a parade, educational workshops, praise and pancakes, and talent show.
On Saturday, bring your blankets and lawn chairs down to the river for an evening full of music and dancing. The American soul band “The Family Stone” will have you feeling ‘funky’ as they perform a mixture of soul, funk, disco and psychedelic music between 7 – 9 PM.
All of these events will take place on the Arkansas River out by the Keeper of the Plains (755 W. Central).
3) 44th Annual Wichita Black Arts Festival
Date & Time:
Friday, August 31 – 9:00 PM
Saturday, September 1 - 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday, September 2 – 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Monday, September 3 – 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: McAdams Park, 1329 E., Wichita
Cost: $3.00
Info: http://wbafa.org/
Why you should go: The 44th Wichita Black Arts Festival Association (WBAFA) can be enjoyed all weekend long at McAdams Park. Starting on Friday night, take the family to see a play and movie night on the outdoor stage on the North side of the Rec center.
Throughout Saturday and Sunday, enjoy the festival parade, car and bike show, talent competition, senior luncheon, Zumba, Greek children’s village, special musical artists, shopping, and a Sunday ‘praise’ in the park.
The party won’t stop after the weekend is over! On Monday, the festivities continue on with a fashion show, hair show, battle of the bands, youth soc hop party, celebrity artist and other activities.
The button fee is $3 to enjoy the weekend long activities. The proceeds raised by the WBAFA are used to provide underprivileged members of the community opportunities to enjoy other cultural local events, such as the UMOJA Walk/Run, Health Fair and Arts in the Park.
4) Handmade in the Heartland Craft Fair
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Date: Saturday, September 1
Where: Sedgwick County Extension Center, 7001 W. 21st St. North, Wichita
Cost: FREE
Why you should go: This event is for all those who enjoy crafting and handmade items. The Handmade in the Heartland Craft Fairs will feature over 50 craft booths setup by local artists and crafters.
These crafters will be displaying and selling their amazing works, which will include jewelry, fashionable clothing & accessories, unique home décor, pottery, food & sweets, candles & soaps, children’s clothing, hair accessories, pottery, holiday décor, sports team home décor, artwork, and much more.
5) Star Wars Exhibit
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Date: Last Day is Monday, September 3
Where: Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean Blvd., Wichita
Cost: $13 - $19.50, Children Under 2 are FREE
Info: http://www.exploration.org/star_wars_exhibit.php
Why you should go: This is the last weekend to come see this one-of-a-kind exhibit. “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination” is the largest exhibition ever displayed inside Exploration Place. The traveling exhibit features more than 80 Star Wars artifacts, costumes, and props featured in the blockbuster films.
Artifacts displayed in this unique exhibit include C-3PO, R2-D2, lightsabers, space vehicles and starship models, and the actual costumes that Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Stormtroopers, Anakin Jedi, Mace Windu and Darth Vader wore in the films.
PHOTOS: Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination
