Historical Events of Wichita Historical Events of Wichita Ks.Ks.

HistoryHistory Wichita was founded in 1864 as a Wichita was founded in 1864 as a

trading post on the site of a trading post on the site of a village of the Wichita Indians, and village of the Wichita Indians, and owed its early development to the owed its early development to the Texas cattle trade along the Texas cattle trade along the Chisholm Trail, and to the rapid Chisholm Trail, and to the rapid spread of agricultural settlement spread of agricultural settlement along the Atchison, Topeka and along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, then under Santa Fe Railway, then under construction. The picture of the construction. The picture of the train at the right is the first train train at the right is the first train to come to Wichita.to come to Wichita.

In its early years Wichita was a In its early years Wichita was a stopover on cattle drives to stopover on cattle drives to Abilene and other points as the Abilene and other points as the railroad moved west; in 1872 the railroad moved west; in 1872 the line reached Wichita, and the city line reached Wichita, and the city became a major cattle-shipping became a major cattle-shipping center. center.

By 1875 farmers' fences were By 1875 farmers' fences were obstructing the movement of beef obstructing the movement of beef herds. Then grain took over as an herds. Then grain took over as an important part of the economy. important part of the economy.

Historical EventsHistorical Events During the 1930's partially in part due to During the 1930's partially in part due to

the needs for grain for the troops during the needs for grain for the troops during WW1, farmers were encouraged to plow WW1, farmers were encouraged to plow more and more of the land and seeding more and more of the land and seeding areas in the prairies states.areas in the prairies states.

Kansas was included in that and Kansas was included in that and suffered terribly windy conditions that suffered terribly windy conditions that pretty well blew the top soil out of the pretty well blew the top soil out of the state. Strong winds noted in this area state. Strong winds noted in this area with no mountains to block them had a with no mountains to block them had a devastating effect on the area. devastating effect on the area.

In succeeding years the dust storms re-In succeeding years the dust storms re-occurred from December to May. Crops occurred from December to May. Crops and pasture lands were ruined by the and pasture lands were ruined by the harsh storms, which also proved a harsh storms, which also proved a severe health hazard. The uprooting, severe health hazard. The uprooting, poverty, and human suffering caused poverty, and human suffering caused during this period is notably portrayed in during this period is notably portrayed in John Steinbeck's, "The Grapes of Wrath". John Steinbeck's, "The Grapes of Wrath". Through later governmental intervention Through later governmental intervention and methods of erosion-prevention and methods of erosion-prevention farming, the Dust Bowl phenomenon has farming, the Dust Bowl phenomenon has been virtually eliminated, thus left a been virtually eliminated, thus left a historic reference, source historic reference, source

More FactsMore Facts Wichita is the largest city in Kansas. This is confusing to some Wichita is the largest city in Kansas. This is confusing to some

who are sure it is Kansas City. The problem lies in the fact who are sure it is Kansas City. The problem lies in the fact that most of Kansas City is in Missouri. Wichita prides itself on that most of Kansas City is in Missouri. Wichita prides itself on being the ‘Air Capitol' of America, and rightly is home to many being the ‘Air Capitol' of America, and rightly is home to many of the notables in air craft manufacture; Boeing, Learjet, and of the notables in air craft manufacture; Boeing, Learjet, and Cessna for instance. You can see hundreds of contrails in an Cessna for instance. You can see hundreds of contrails in an hour of looking out your window. McConnell AFB is based here hour of looking out your window. McConnell AFB is based here as well and yearly host an aviation show, most often with the as well and yearly host an aviation show, most often with the ‘Blue Angels'. ‘Blue Angels'.

Wichita is also home to several yearly functions that are fun Wichita is also home to several yearly functions that are fun and bring in revenue. Both in the spring you will find The and bring in revenue. Both in the spring you will find The Renaissance Fair, hosted by Kansas Newman University and Renaissance Fair, hosted by Kansas Newman University and The Wichita River Festival, hosted by the City of Wichita. The Wichita River Festival, hosted by the City of Wichita.

Wichita is home to more than 330,000 people living in Wichita is home to more than 330,000 people living in neighborhoods scattered over 120 square miles, as well as neighborhoods scattered over 120 square miles, as well as three major universities,_three major universities,_ Kansas Newman (Catholic ),_,_Friends (Quaker ),_and,_and Wichita State (secular ). There are . There are several other community colleges and universities within 30 several other community colleges and universities within 30 minutes to 4 hour drive.minutes to 4 hour drive.

2008 2008 RiverFest RiverFest

Crowd gathered at the Go Away Garage to see the unveiling of the Riverfest Crowd gathered at the Go Away Garage to see the unveiling of the Riverfest 2008 artwork.2008 artwork.

After a well-received 2007 artwork and advertising campaign developed by After a well-received 2007 artwork and advertising campaign developed by Associated Advertising, WFI asked the firm to again develop the artwork for Associated Advertising, WFI asked the firm to again develop the artwork for the 2008 Festival.the 2008 Festival.

““It's again a thrill and a great honor to work with Wichita Festivals to develop It's again a thrill and a great honor to work with Wichita Festivals to develop the marketing campaign and imagery that symbolizes one of Kansas' best the marketing campaign and imagery that symbolizes one of Kansas' best and most recognized events,” said Mike Snyder, CEO of Associated. “Wichita and most recognized events,” said Mike Snyder, CEO of Associated. “Wichita Festivals traditionally does a great job in communicating the vibrancy and Festivals traditionally does a great job in communicating the vibrancy and fun-for-everyone nature of Riverfest, and our team had a lot of fun taking the fun-for-everyone nature of Riverfest, and our team had a lot of fun taking the theme and artwork to new, non-traditional levels.”theme and artwork to new, non-traditional levels.”

““This is a new look for the Windwagon, very hip and new,” said Janet Wright, This is a new look for the Windwagon, very hip and new,” said Janet Wright, President/CEO of Wichita Festivals, Inc. “Associated captured the true spirit of President/CEO of Wichita Festivals, Inc. “Associated captured the true spirit of this years' Festival with the design.”this years' Festival with the design.”

This years' poster features Admiral Windwagon Smith riding across the This years' poster features Admiral Windwagon Smith riding across the Kansas prairie in his revved-up Windwagon, complete with a supercharged Kansas prairie in his revved-up Windwagon, complete with a supercharged blower in the front. This year's theme is “Party in Overdrive” and Festival blower in the front. This year's theme is “Party in Overdrive” and Festival attendees can expect to see several new events that will showcase that attendees can expect to see several new events that will showcase that theme. QuikTrip Corporation is once again sponsor of the poster art.theme. QuikTrip Corporation is once again sponsor of the poster art.

Signed and numbered limited edition posters are available for purchase for Signed and numbered limited edition posters are available for purchase for $25 and regular edition posters are available for $5 at Wichita Festivals, Inc. $25 and regular edition posters are available for $5 at Wichita Festivals, Inc. and at the Festival.. and at the Festival..