By SALINA POST
This year's Smoky Hill River Festival certainly doesn't lack for entertainment.
The 46th Smoky Hill River Festival is scheduled for June 9-12 in Oakdale Park. Admission is by weekend wristband ($15 in advance, $20 at the gate) or daily wristband ($10, sold only at the gate). Children ages 11 and under are admitted at no charge.
Weekend wristbands are scheduled to go on sale May first and will be sold locally and in cities throughout the region, according to SA&H. See a list of local and regional wristband retailers at: https://www.riverfestival.com/participating-retailers/.
In addition to the main stage acts, the festival also has a number of children's and roving entertainers.
Following is information about those entertainers as provided by Salina Arts & Humanities.
READ: Smoky Hill River Festival highlights announced
Duke Otherwise
Madison, Wis.
Duke Otherwise is a playful wordsmith, a spirited performer, a skilled guitarist, and a captivating tap dancer. Using his distinct baritone, he sings hilarious and imaginative songs that all ages delight in together. Duke’s energetic live show is filled with improvisation, audience participation, dancing, and outrageous fun!
Drum Safari
Kansas City, Mo.
Brandon and Teryn Draper are no strangers to the Smoky Hill River Festival. This year, Festival-goers can expect onstage science experiments, hands-on drumming participation, a puppet show featuring an intergalactic dance battle and the impromptu drum jams that make Drum Safari famous!
Richard Renner
Lawrence
Hedge People, the Recycle Cycle, and more. Richard Renner is bringing his wacky bag of tricks to the Festival this year! Each day, visitors will experience new characters and opportunities to interact. Why have a little fun when you can have TOO MUCH?!
Up, Up, & Away!
Liberty, Mo.
Festival favorites Johnna and John Perry interact with the crowd while twisting and turning 100% natural rubber balloons into artistic 3-D creatures, hats, and more, as they rove throughout Oakdale Park. Even the youngest Festival fans will be the stars, as these balloon masters deliver one-of-a-kind creations!
StatuEscapades™
Kansas City, Mo.
StatuEscapade™ Statues are a work of art and more! What looks like a classic Greek or Roman statue when still becomes a modern scene-stealer when moving. Their absurd antics will make a grand impression as they interact directly with guests, then freeze motionless for minutes on end! It is art imitating life and life imitating art and both having a good laugh!
Happy Faces Entertainment
Kansas City, Mo.
Dennis Porter is sure to keep crowds laughing as he engages Festival fans young and old in a host of entertaining games and activities. Teaching, playing, and having lots of fun is what these shows are all about. Come give it a try!
Clan Tynker
Santa Fe, N.M.
Clan Tynker is a troupe of brothers and sisters who perform a stunning array of talents in a fanciful “Vaudeville” style of Circus. Their all-ages show presents an amazing menagerie of entertainment from “around the world” set to an exciting live musical soundscape.
Junkyard Orchestra
Kansas City, Mo.
Kansas City multi-instrumentalist Amado Espinoza, featuring Brendan Culp on percussion, will delight audiences with the Junkyard Orchestra, demonstrating how musical instruments can be made out of practically anything. Whether they’re playing a classical Arabic flute made from a broom or a Bolivian guitar fashioned out of a cookie tin, the Junkyard Orchestra demonstrates how the science of music and art can combine to help save the planet Earth.