Intrust Bank Arena is full of dirt and ready for the big trucks

It’s that time of year when Intrust Bank Arena hauls in truckloads of dirt, the preferred surface of Monster Trucks. The always anticipated Monster Jam will put on three shows at the venue this weekend, and those who can pay a little extra can even meet the drivers and get their autographs.

Also in Wichita this weekend, nearly all the big concert venues have big acts coming in to perform, and several artsy events are on the calendar, too.

Here’s a look at some of the fun events happening in Wichita this weekend:

Monster Jam

1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Intrust Bank Arena, 500 E. Waterman

Monster Jam returns to Wichita’s Intrust Bank Arena this weekend, and shows are scheduled for 1 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The event features an arena full of dirt, 12,000-pound monster trucks and world-champion drivers who can make the vehicles do back flips and drive vertically on two wheels. Fans also can buy an extra ticket for a Pit Party that happens before the show that allows people to see the trucks up close and get autographs from their favorite drivers. Tickets for the show are $15 to $83, and Pit Party tickets are $20. Tickets are available at selectaseat.com, by calling 316-755-SEAT or in person at the Select-A-Seat box office inside Intrust Bank Arena.

Eat like a cowboy

2-3 p.m. Sunday, Wichita Sedgwick County Historical Museum, 204 S. Main

Want to eat like a real cowboy? The Wichita-Sedgwick Historical Museum will host a program featuring Steve Friesen, author of the new book “Galloping Gourmet: Eating and Drinking with Buffalo Bill,” that will last from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sunday in the museum’s second-floor DeVore Auditorium. The book studies the role that food and drink played during Buffalo Bill’s lifespan — 1846 to 1917 — and how he discovered gourmet dining through his early show business career. Books are available for purchase, and Friesen will sign them. Admission is free.

A very Big concert

Friday at the Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg

Mr. Big, the musical act best known for its 1992 hit “To Be With You,” is bringing its “The Big Finish” farewell tour to Wichita on Friday. The group lost original drummer and co-founder Pat Torpey to Parkinson’s disease six years ago and has said now is the time to end its run with a “big finish.” Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. with opening act Fast Lane. Tickets to the show are $41.50 at thecotillion.com

Mark Arts open house

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, 1307 N. Rock Road

Mart Arts’ annual Art Market & Open House will happen from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and will feature local and regional artists and makers selling items like pottery, clothing, artwork and more. The open house portion of the event will include a scavenger hunt, demonstrations and tours. Admission is free.

Steel Panther ‘On the Prowl’

8 p.m. Friday, TempleLIve, 332 E. First St.

Satirical hair metal band Steel Panther will arrive at Wichita’s TempleLive venue on Friday and will not only perform songs from last year’s album “On the Prowl” but will also pay homage to heavy metal icons like Poison, Whitesnake and Van Halen. The show stars at 8 p.m., and tickets to the show are $35-$49 and are available at www.templelive.com

String Quartet

6:30 p.m. Friday, Wichita Art Museum, Museum Blvd.

The Wichita Symphony Orchestra’s Bella Dolce String Quartet will perform at the Wichita Art Museum at 6:30 p.m. on Friday as part of the museum’s weekly “WAM Nights” event, when the museum stays open late. The group will perform songs inspired by WAM’s latest exhibit, “Making American Artists: Stories from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 1776-1976,” Admission to the performance is free.