The last weekend of summer break is going to be a blast. (Goddard, I see you out there and I realize you have MORE lazy days of summer left. Have fun!) Here’s a roundup of weekend fun. See the Wichita on the Cheap Calendar for the complete list.
FRIDAY
On Friday, the Midwest Huntfest kicks off at noon at Century II, and looks like it will be a fun event for sporting and outdoors enthusiasts. You’ll see hunting show celebrities and get a concert each night of the event. It’s cheap to bring the kids, and the first 300 kids in the door will receive a free quail call.
At 6 p.m., the gates open for the last concert of the FREE KEYN Summer Concert Series at the Waterwalk. You’ll find an open-air market and food and beverage vendors. The concert, featuring the group Lucky People, starts at 8 p.m. Be sure to bring a lawn chair.
SATURDAY
If you aren’t shopping the Haysville Citywide Garage Sale Saturday morning, you will still want to wake up early. Drive downtown Wichita and find yourself a good parking place near 1st and Mosley. You’re going to want to wear comfortable shoes, because there are lots of free and cheap events in the downtown Wichita area on Saturday.
Celebrate Farmer’s Market Week by enjoying FREE Watermelon Slices at Old Town Farmers Market, while they last. (And you might also be able to score a free cup of coffee from the Spice Merchant at the farmers’ market information booth.) Kids will enjoy a FREE Story Time and Crafts at 9:30 a.m., and you’ll enjoy shopping for food and other products from local vendors.
Don’t leave after you’re finished at the market. Everyone gets $3 admission (70% off!) to browse ancient treasures during the Museum of World Treasures’ Customer Appreciation Day, and they’ll have lots of special, kid-friendly activities too. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Less than a mile away in Old Town Square (Mead and 2nd St.), Youthville will be holding a Chalk Art Festival where 40 artists will demonstrate their talent with chalk. You and the kids can join them.
You say you get hungry when you’re out and about? Here are a few food deals for you:
During the Chalk Art Festival, several Old Town merchants will be collecting donations of kid-friendly art supplies for Youthville’s Expressive Arts Center. Drop off your donation and say hi to Julie at Beadazzled Art Glass Studio, where you can score 20% off beaded necklacesa pair of $10 earrings because it’s also the 2nd Saturday Shopping Event. You’ll need to bring or buy the re-usable 2nd Saturday shopping bag to get the discount. Lucinda’s, Rebecca’s, Bella Luz, and Pure will also be collecting art supply donations for the kids.
The Midwest Huntfest continues on Saturday at Century II on Main Street, near the corner of Main and Douglas. Over at 1400 W. Museum Boulevard, there’s Free Admission to the Wichita Art Museum, as there is every Saturday.
Not nearly as much fun, but a money-saver nonetheless are Free Vaccinations for Uninsured Students at the Sedgwick County Health Department clinic in West Wichita.
Across town, on S. Rock Road in East Wichita, Spanish Horizons is having a Food Fiesta Fundraiser: FREE Spanish Class, Margaritas, and Food. A donation for the Ronald McDonald house is the price of admission. The party starts at 11:30 a.m.
Later that afternoon, at the north end of Rock Road in Bradley Fair Shopping Center, get a FREE Cooking Demonstration at Fresh Market.
You would think that is all the cheap fun that Wichita could hold in one day, but there’s more. Get $10 jeans and $5 tops for school at the Old Navy Back to School Sale, get a look at the actual items up for bid in the City of Wichita Online Surplus Auction, or let the kids participate in Free Lowe’s Build And Grow Clinics while you shop for your weekend warrior projects.
SUNDAY
The weekend isn’t over yet! On Sunday, the Old Navy Back to School Sale, Midwest Huntfest, and Free Lowe’s Build And Grow Clinics continue, because there’s no way you could have really squeezed all of that in the day before. There’s also a free tour of Wichita’s oldest school building during the McCormick School Museum Open House.
Catch a movie – or ten – at the Orpheum Sunday night. The screening and live judging of the top ten films in the Down to the Wire Film Race starts at 7 p.m. and is only $3.
After that, take a nap because Sunday ends with a spectacular free show in the sky. Join others watching the Perseid Meteor Shower at Lake Afton Public Observatory when it peaks between 11 p.m. Sunday night and 2 a.m. Monday morning.
Now after this weekend in Wichita, you’ll certainly have something to write when your teacher assigns you the essay, “How I Spent My Summer Vacation.”
Wichita Chalk ART Festival in Old Town Square. Free event. Great for families and children. This Saturday from 10 – 2. Watch local artists create pieces and join in to create your own while enjoying live music.
That’s up there! But there are so many events, it would be easy to miss. Hundreds of people have read the post about Youthville’s Chalk Art Festival, so you should see a pretty good turnout.
http://wichitaonthecheap.com/2012/08/08/chalk-art-festival-in-wichita-old-town/