The dinos are out of winter hibernation and ready to accept visitors starting this weekend
The dinosaurs in Derby have been hibernating throughout the winter, but they’ll be accepting visitors again starting this weekend. The park is putting on a special spring break preview that runs Saturday through March 17 and will include all kinds of games and activities.
The weekend calendar also includes lots of other fun events, including the return of the Wichita Home Show at Century II, a “Pull a Plane” fundraiser at Doc’s hangar and more.
Here’s a look at some of the most fun activities happening in and around Wichita this weekend.
Return of the dinos
Saturday-March 17, Field Station: Dinosaurs, 2999 N. Rock Road, Derby
Field Station: Dinosaurs in Derby has been closed for the winter, but the park featuring more than 40 animatronic life-sized dinosaurs is opening for a spring break “sneak peek” starting this weekend. From Saturday through March 17, the park will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Those who attend can see live shows and participate in activities including “The T-Rex Games.” Admission is $12 a person. The venue’s mini golf course also will be open during the sneak peek. For more information, visit KansasDinos.com
Wichita Home Show
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Century II
Looking to upgrade your house? The 70th annual Home Show, put on by the Wichita Area Builders Association, continues this weekend at Century II. The event will feature vendors showing off the latest home improvement trends and products, and attendees can learn about foundation repair, painting services, mortgage lending, spas, outdoor fireplaces, floor coverings and more. The event will also feature women’s fashions, gifts, candles, kids activities and more. New this year: The show will include the “Build My Future” event, which will allow local high schoolers to participate in hands-on activities that will introduce them to trade industry careers. The show, which started on Thursday, runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 for ages 65 and older, $7 for students over 12 with school ID and free for children 11 and under. Tickets are available at selectaseat.com and at the door. For more information, visit wabahome.com/home-show/
Pull a Plane
Noon Saturday, 1788 S. Airport Road
The third annual Pull a Plane event, put on by Doc’s Friends and WSU Tech, will feature teams of 25 people, all trying to move the 80,000-pound restored B-29 known as “Doc” using only a rope and their pulling power. The event happens Saturday at the B-29 Doc Hangar, Education and Visitors Center. It’s family friendly, and people who want to watch and cheer can get in for $10 or $25 for a family of up to six people. Ticket holders also will be able to participate in a variety of STEM activities in the hangar and take tours of Doc’s cockpit. STEM activities start at noon followed by a 1 p.m. opening ceremony. Team pulls will start at 1:15 p.m., and the championship pull-off is at 4 p.m. Cockpit tours start at 5 p.m. Proceeds from the event will be split between the WSU Tech Foundation and initiatives to help finance Doc’s home and education displays. For more information, visit pullaplane.com
Vintage Market Days
Friday-Sunday, Wichita Sports Forum, 2668 N. Greenwich Court
Shopping alert: Vintage Market Days is returning to Wichita for a three-day shopping event that will feature vendors, artisans and makers from across the country selling vintage items, antiques, art, jewelry, clothing, home decor and more. The event, titled “Vintage Soul,” happens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the Wichita Sports Forum, and it will also include food and live music. Friday tickets are $15, and Saturday and Sunday tickets are $10. Children 12 and under will be admitted free. All tickets are good for reentry all weekend and are available at vintagemarketdays.com/market/wichita/ or at the door.
Poetry unchained at WAM
6:30 p.m. Friday, Wichita Art Museum, 1400 Museum Blvd.
Fans of poetry and spoken word performances will want to check out this week’s installment of WAM Nights at the Wichita Art Museum. An event called “Poetry Unchained” will start at 7 p.m. on Friday and will feature poetry written by people incarcerated in Kansas and performed by Ponder.This. poets. The program also will feature original poems inspired by the works in WAM’s latest installation, “(Im)permanent.” Musician Kimberly Paige also will perform. The evening starts at 6:30 p.m., when doors open. The program, which will feature a bar, will start at 7 p.m. Admission is $15, free for WAM members. The museum is open until 9 p.m. on Fridays.
