The countdown for Salina’s “epic arts party” is officially underway with the 48th annual Smoky Hill River Festival coming this summer.
From June 13 to 16, thousands will gather to hear, see, taste and experience music, visual arts, food and more in Oakdale Park.
Staff for Salina Arts and Humanities, which hosted this year’s press briefing for the river festival Thursday morning, were excited to announce details of this year’s festival.
“For the last 14 months our staff and committees have been working tirelessly to prepare for the 48th annual epic arts party,” said Anna Pauscher Morawitz, operations and development manager for Salina Arts and Humanities.
What musicians and artists are at this year’s Smoky Hill River Festival?
On the music side, Sarah Keck, entertainment coordinator, said each day of the festival will feature a different “vibe.”
“We’re going to be adding a large number of new artists to join our returning fan favorites,” Keck said.
Headliners this year on the Eric Stein Stage include Friday’s Monophonics, described as having “pure timeless heavy soul and warm textures of psychedelic rock.”
Saturday’s “roots and boots day” will see headliner William Beckmann, who offers a “fresh blend of vintage country, Americana and Latin music.”
Finally, Sunday’s headliner is Papa Green Shoes, a high-energy four-piece band from Springfield, Missouri rooted in “modern blues with touches of soul, funk and rock.
“(Papa Green Shoes) were last at the festival in 2019 and have become one of the most requested groups from the community to see again in recent years,” Keck said.
A full list of entertainers, which will continue to be updated, can be found at www.riverfestival.com/performers/.
More than 125 visual artists from 23 different states will be at this year’s festival, with Crystal Hammerschmidt, visual arts coordinator, saying that 58 new artists will debut at the event.
“As a reminder, this is a great time of the year to go and get something that’s really special, unique and handmade, and a great way to connect with those artists and talk about their process,” Hammerschmidt said.
Hammerschmidt said this year will see seven artists creating in the art and craft demo hut, working with materials such as ceramic, wood, mixed media, glass, metal and jewelry.
Finally, Hammerschmidt said there will be 20 art installations throughout the park including four live pieces being worked on throughout the weekend.
New food options and games for kids and families
This year’s Smoky Hill River Festival will see more than 30 food vendors serving crowd favorites like funnel cake, corn dogs, kettle corn and turkey legs and new foods from six new vendors.
“(New this year) we have fruit pizza from Honey and Rue’s…dulce de leche churros, churrasco fries and Brazilian bread from Brazita Bites,” said Maira Mota, the festival’s food coordinator.
In addition to Brazilian eats, this year will also feature a new all-German vendor with schnitzel, bratwurst and more, a sandwich press vendor serving Cubanos and finally a meat and sweet pie vendor serving up savory and dessert hand pies.
After updating the facades for Game Street last year, new games including cornhole, ring toss and ladder ball are being adding for more family-friendly games in the festival’s Artyopolis.
More:Poet Laureate Ada Limón’s work connects readers to nature. She’ll visit Salina this year
Smoky Hill River Festival wristbands on sale and Medallion Quest begins next month
Wristbands to attend the Smoky Hill River Festival will go on sale beginning May 1. A full weekend wristband is $15 in advance and $20 at the gate, with children 11 and younger free.
In addition to buying wristbands at the Salina Arts and Humanities office, 211 W. Iron Ave., they will be available for sale at around 40 Salina retailers and 20 regional retailers. A list of retailers can be found on the festival’s website, www.riverfestival.com/participating-retailers.
Finally, the 2024 Smoky Hill River Festival Medallion Quest, which has a prize valued at $3,000, will kickoff at 4 p.m. on May 15, where the first clue will be given on the steps of the Smoky Hill Museum 211 W. Iron Ave. After that initial clue reveal, two clues will be given each day, one at 7:30 a.m. and one at 4:30 p.m. until the medallion is found.
For more information about the 2024 Smoky Hill River Festival, happening from June 13 to 16, visit the festival’s website, www.riverfestival.com.
