Wichita State University - Parnassus Yearbook (Wichita, KS)

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vafiifpxxfa' 51. .m,p.?4.i1aQ-.rL6fz:a4fQqsS.Q . f . ' X-', iii.: ., NJ'-A-view, Y. 44 '- 3, l Riverfest Ends Un A Blues Note perienced throughout the week ended Satur- day when the bathtub races and block party were scheduled. A veritable torrent broke that afternoon, breaking up the crowd estimated at 35,000 at one point. 'It only rained that one day,' Broadfoot said, 'but that is what people will remember. We really had beautiful weather. But, even so, some people will come up to me next year and say, 'Gee, it's too bad it rained so much last year.' And l'll remind them that it didn't.' The bathtub races continued with only slight delay. Being already in the water, a lit- tle rain didn't seem to matter to the con- testants. But during one particularly heavy deluge, most of the crowd lining the banks of the Big Arkansas headed for shelter, crowding under the Douglas Street bridge, not heeding the race announcer's plea, Don't go yet. I think it's letting up. Perseverance payed off as WSU's Pi Tau Sigma easily took first place in the race, avenging its loss the year before to the Kan- sas Air National Guard. The guard claimed second place. Rain forced the Wichita Symphony's Pops concert inside in Century lI's Exhibition Hall but, as the luck of the festival would have it, the skies cleared in time for the fireworks display just outside along the river's banks. The next day was the opposite of Satur- day's deluge and a perfect close for the festival. KMUW-FM and the Wichita Blues Society co-sponsored 'The Last Event, RiverBlues, a blues concert and the final out- door concert in A. Price Woodard park. The Livewires, and jimmy Dawkins along with j.T. Burkes gave another American style of music. An estimated 5,000 people lined the grassy knoll around the park and the walkway along the river for the first live blues outdoor concert in the festival's history. Most people sought shade because of the late afternoon sun and humidity, portents of the coming summer. Because of the turnout and enthusiasm toward the event, festival organizers said they hoped the blues concert will become a regular event. Blues Society member Roger Wycoff said that such a plan is in the works which they hope will expand the society's prominence 'Really, with some very limited funds, KMUW and the Blues Society pulled off one of the more successful new events of last year, Broadfoot said. They really lucked out with the weatherf' Story by Bob Newman .anne

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The Shriner motorcycle troupes shoot past Century ll. 5!1l!84 Dance hall girls bring back an era that ended with abolition. 5!ll!84 KMUW staff and members of the Wichita Blues Society promote blues and the River Blues concert at the end of the River Festival. 5!1l!84 Shriners and their silver-studded mounts line up at the parade's start. 511 1184 Two brothers watch as the parade rolls by. 5!11!84 T e l:,. lflllm 12 it Xu' QQ Qin min if stefgg - 89.1 fm M4990 19

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I vgdiwl CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: A single hot air balloon silently rises over the launch site. 5!12!84 As the sun rises, nylon balloons are filled with hot air in a clearing in Sims Park. 5!l2!84 Michelle Peaden wears the River Festival button and a promotional paper hat, common at all the festival's events. 5!14!84 From the waterfall bridge in A. Price Woodard park, spectators dodge the only rain to fall during the weeklong festival. 5f14f84