What to do in Wichita this weekend: New Thomas exhibit, beer fest, outdoor concerts, more

Fall has finally arrived, and Wichita’s calendar is filled this weekend with outdoor parties, concerts and events. Plus, there’s a new Thomas & Friends exhibit opening at Exploration Place.

Here’s a list of some of the fun activities happening in and around Wichita this weekend:

Thomas rolls into Exploration Place

Friday-Jan. 8, Exploration Place, 300 N. McLean

Exploration Place in Wichita is getting a new exhibit on Friday called Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails. The exhibit, which will run through Jan. 8, is inspired by the popular train-centered children’s cartoon series and is designed for ages 2 to 7. Kids will be able to climb into Thomas’ cab, explore his engine, load luggage and livestock into train cars and even suit up as a conductor to sell tickets. Admission to the exhibit is included with regular museum admission: $12 for adults ages 12-64, $10 for seniors 65 and over and children ages 3 to 11, and free for members and children 2 and under.

Pride Weekend

Saturday and Sunday, downtown Wichita

Wichita Pride — an event that celebrates the LGBTQ community in Wichita — is happening this weekend with several events, including an opening-night show at 8 p.m. Saturday at Century II, a Pride Parade at 1 p.m. Sunday that starts at the Old Sedgwick County Courthouse, and a Wichita Pride Festival that runs from noon to 6 p.m. at Century II’s Exhibition Hall on Sunday. Admission to all events is a $7 button. For more information, visit wichitapride.org

Melissa Etheridge in Andover

7 p.m. Saturday, Capitol Federal Amphitheater, 1607 E. Central, Andover

Singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge will headline a Saturday-night concert at Andover’s Capitol Federal Amphitheater that will also include roots musician Keb’ Mo’. Tickets for the outdoor event are $30 for a bring-your-own-chair lawn seat or $60 for an up-close premium seat with a provided chair. Attendees under 5 don’t need a ticket unless they’re in the premium section. The concert starts at 7 p.m. and will happen rain or shine. Tickets are available at www.capfedamphitheater.com

Wild West Days at Old Cowtown

Saturday and Sunday, Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 W. Museum Blvd.

Old Cowtown Museum’s Wild West Days event — billed as the largest gathering of Western performing re-enactors in the Midwest — is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday and will feature history demonstrations, gun fights, live music, a can can show and more. Food trucks and vendors also will be onsite for the event, and a cash bar will be set up. It lasts from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission to the event, which is a fundraiser for the museum, is free with regular Cowtown admission: $9 for adults, $8 for seniors 62 and older, $7 for children ages 12-17, $6 for kids ages 5-11 and free for children 4 and under and Cowtown members, active military and educators.

Tunes & Blooms at Botanica

5:30-11 p.m. Saturday, Botanica, 701 Amidon

Midian Shrine Center’s annual Tunes & Blooms event happens from 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Saturday at Botanica and will fill the grand lawn with a corn hole competition, a kids’ cooking competition, clowns and more. The event will feature live music from Paramount, and food and alcohol will be available for purchase. Attendees are asked to bring their own chairs or blankets. Tickets are $20 at the gate, and proceeds will benefit the Midian Shrine Center.

Beer fest in the park

1-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Hyde Park, 201 S. Greenwood

The Prairieland Beer & Music Festival, which was founded in 2018 by the Kansas Craft Brewers Guild, is returning after a two-year COVID hiatus at a new address. The event is scheduled for 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday and will be under the tree canopy at Hyde Park, 201 S. Greenwood. The big green space sits just across the street from Central Standard Brewing, whose co-owner Andy Boyd is one of the festival’s organizers. The festival will feature 41 beer, cider, wine and coffee vendors, and people who purchase $45 tickets will get a tasting glass that will entitle them to unlimited beverage samples. Central Standard also will have a hot dog cart set up in the park, and electronic/reggae band Ghost Rock and Kansas City funk band Stranded in the City will perform. Tickets are available at central-standard-brewing-llc.ticketleap.com/prairelandfest

Concert in the Country

5 p.m. Saturday, Wichita Union Stockyards, 6425 W. MacArthur

The 12th annual Concert in the Country happens on Saturday at Wichita Union Stockyards and will include live music by Whiskey River Band, Prairie Smoke, Sunshine Dreamers and Jared Brown & the Dirt Road Misfits. The event, a fundraiser for Coming Together for a Cure, will also include food trucks, yard games, a dance floor, a bar and a broadcast of the Kansas State/ Oklahoma game. Tickets are $20 at the door. Money raised will go toward the organizers’ mission of helping people with muscular dystrophy.

Concerts announced this week

Wichita’s many music venues have been busy booking shows lately. Here’s a look at the most recent additions made to Wichita’s concert calendar:

Moodie Black, Oct. 27, Wave, tickets on sale at waveict.com

4 Things with Amy Brown Live, Nov. 5, Century II, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at selectaseat.com

Paul Cauthen, Nov. 17, TempleLive tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday at ticketmaster.com

Slum Village, Nov. 29, Wave, tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday at waveict.com

Rome & Duddy, Dec. 7, TempleLive tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday at ticketmaster.com

David George Orchestra, Dec. 8, Cotillion, tickets on sale at thecotillion.com

DC Young Fly and Friends, Dec. 9, Orpheum Theatre, tickets on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at selectaseat.com