Jason Boland and The Stragglers to perform to Salina's Smoky Hill River Festival
After being canceled in 2020 and moved to September for 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Smoky Hill River Festival is finally back to normal and coming to Salina next month.
The 46th annual edition of the festival returns to its traditional time of the second weekend of June, running from June 9 to June 12. It is a time to celebrate art, in many forms, in Salina with more than 130 visual artists and 75 performers at Oakdale Park.
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Music takes center stage
Jason Boland and The Stragglers of Stillwater, Oklahoma will perform red dirt country at 8:30 p.m. Friday on the Eric Stein Stage.
"This is the first time in a while that we've had solid country music on our stage," Anna Pauscher Morawitz, operations and development manager for Salina Arts and Humanities said.
Ganstagrass headlines at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. This Brooklyn, New York group mixes different kinds of American music styles into something completely unique.
Finally, SunDub, a reggae group from New York City, headlines at 3 p.m. Sunday. This isn't the first time festival goers will be able to see SunDub and Morawitz said the band is back "by popular demand."
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Visual arts throughout the park
Art is the main focus of the Smoky Hill River Festival and several visual artists will be creating art all around the park.
Joan Benefiel, the arts program administrator for Salina Arts and Humanities, said there are several ways for festival attendees to experience the work of artists from 19 different states.
"About 40% of those are new to the festival this year," Benefiel said. "You'll see a lot of your favorites and a lot of new work in the mix."
Benefiel said there is plenty of variety in terms of art mediums, including painting, metal work, jewelry, wood, fiber and living elements, including bonsai tree sculpting.
Artists will exhibit work from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Many artists will have booths set up for attendees to purchase artwork and, according to the festival's website, more than $500,000 of original, handmade work is purchased annually.
Artyopolis: being a part of art
Family-fun Artyopolis is back as well, giving children of all ages the opportunity to make their own art, get temporary body art from airbrush artists, see fun performers and play games along Game Street.
The highlight of Artyopolis is First Treasures, happening Saturday, where children ages four to 13 are able to buy art from festival artists, all priced $5 or less.
A variety of food options
A festival isn't a festival without food, and this year is no different, with more than 30 vendors serving a variety of food choices.
This year, there are 11 new vendors coming to the festival with new food options like Dole whip, grilled veggie sandwiches, a crawfish boil and Thai pork tacos.
There are vegan and vegetarian options as well as prices as low as $4.
Festival wristbands on sale now
Advanced price wristbands to attend the Smoky Hill River Festival are available for $15 for a 4-day pass at the Salina Arts and Humanities office, 211 W. Iron Ave., and several sites in Salina and north central Kansas. Sales continue through June 7.
After June 7, wristbands can be purchased at all the gates for the festival except for Kenwood Bridge and are $20 for 4-day wristbands or $10 for a daily wristband. Children aged 11 and under get in free.
Visit the festival's website for a list of participating retailers that are selling wristbands. Wristbands can also be purchased from the website and can be picked up or mailed to the buyer.
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina prepares as 46th Smoky Hill River Festival returns in June
