By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
After returning last year from a brief break, this weekend's Ellis Riverfest is set to be bigger than ever, and it will surely offer something for everyone.
Saturday’s event starts at 8 a.m., and the rest of the events start at 11 a.m. at Chrysler Park at 10th and Dorrance in Ellis.
Justin Whyte, the Riverfest president, said they are excited to return for the second year in a row and that the event continues to grow.
"It's just a good way for the community to get out and do things," Whyte said. "Some of the same things that you would see at the Ellis County Fair will be here for kids to do. It is absolutely free to enter the park."
There are going to be a number of things for the kids, Whyte said.
That includes obstacle courses, laser tag, a dunk tank and cardboard boat races.
“A lot of those activities and our kids' games are run by our youth, whether that be through the school with sports teams or things of that nature.
He said the money goes back to those programs.
Whyte said that in the lead-up to this year’s event, the kids in the community have been helping set up the event and prepare the park for it.
"As a parent of high schoolers, that is one of those things that they're always fundraising, and this gives them another opportunity to do that," Whyte said.
The day isn’t just for kids. Whyte said they have a number of things to offer for all ages.
"We have DJs throughout the day this year. We're bringing in a band, ICT Doubletap from Wichita, and they do '90s alternative music," Whyte said. "We will have shopping vendors. We will have food vendors to include some food trucks, not only local to the Ellis County area but some from outside of that area."
There is also a car show and shine. Whyte said they expect to have a lot of cars and trucks for people to check out. For the kids, they will have the “Touch-a-Truck” event. There kids will be able to interact with police, fire and EMS personnel and their vehicles.
The event will wind down with a free community barbecue sponsored by the City of Ellis for the first 400 people from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Whyte confirmed they will continue to host the annual event on the third Saturday in June and said they are working to make it bigger and better each year.
“I just hope that everybody comes out (and) makes this event big,” Whyte said. “Show your support to not only our kids that are working games and other activities, but we want to keep this, this event going.”
He also encourages people to reach out if they have ideas for the future.
"If people have ideas or things that they would like to see potentially occur within Riverfest, search out any of our committee," Whyte said. "Our committee will be in shirts that say Ellis Riverfest on the front, and the back, it says committee. Find one of us, and let us know those ideas."