Wichita Heats Up During Winter's Chill

The official opening of Wichita's new INTRUST Bank Arena adds a new dimension to Wichita's calendar of events, which is already brimming with winter activities.

Country singer Brad Paisley christened the 15,000-seat arena in downtown Wichita with a Jan. 9, 2010, concert, and a high-profile lineup of events has already been announced. The list includes the Harlem Globetrotters on Jan. 22, George Strait and Reba McEntire on Feb. 16, Elton John and Billy Joel on March 3, and Bon Jovi on March 11.

Over at Old Cowtown Museum, the Diamond W Wranglers help Kansans celebrate the state's 149th birthday on Jan. 29 with a special concert of cowboy music. The event features a Western-style dinner plus a prize giveaway for correct answers to Kansas trivia questions.

The Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center is the location for the Wichita Home Show, Feb. 4-7, Wichita Women's Fair, Feb. 12-14, and the Wichita Garden Show, March 3-7. The garden show is one of the nation's top 10 gardening events featuring tumbling waterfalls, rainbow swells of tulips and rich theme-garden displays.

EquiFest of Kansas brings horse owners to the Kansas Coliseum Feb. 12-14. The annual horse fair and expo features clinics, a trade show and entertainment. The 56th Annual Kansas Sport, Boat & Travel Show, Feb. 18-21, fills the Coliseum and will get everyone ready for outdoor fun later this year.

Bluegrass music performers and fans from across the Midwest will gather for the Kansas Bluegrass Association's 21st Annual Winter Bluegrass Festival Feb. 19-20 at the Wichita Marriott. Meanwhile the University of North Texas Faculty Jazz Quintet is the featured act during the Friends University Jazz Festival Headliner Concert Feb. 20.

Among the special exhibits at Wichita's 35 museums includes a display of the works of photographer, poet, novelist, composer, musician and filmmaker Gordon Parks. The Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University houses the exhibit Jan. 23-April 11 displaying Parks' black-and-white documentary and fashion photography as well as his later color work. The artist's archive was recently acquired by Wichita State.

A special exhibit at the Kansas Aviation Museum chronicles the impact of Dwayne Wallace, who guided Cessna Aircraft Co. through its formative years and guided it to what would become a global success. The exhibit continues until March 12.

In the days of the cattle drive, cowboys flocked to Wichita's Delano district for some end-of-the-trail fun. The district still knows how to have fun by staging its 4th Annual St. Patrick's Parade on Saturday, March 13 - just to give everyone a chance to celebrate without worrying about going to work the next day.

Visitors will find that Wichita is an affordable destination - especially in the winter. Many Wichita hotels offer themed packages, which can be found at gowichita.com. To request a free visitor guide, call 800.288.9424 or find our interactive guide and complete calendar of events at gowichita.com.