Yahoo Sports Festival food court won’t have Pronto Pups but will have corn dogs, funnel cakes aplenty
The Wichita Riverfest gives people many reasons to venture downtown, from the big-name concerts to the fireworks shows.
But most people go for the food and for the once-a-year chance to indulge in greasy, sugary funnel cakes, giant ears of corn, and all sorts of items deep fried and served on sticks.
This year’s festival food court isn’t dramatically different from last year’s, said Linda Davidson, co-chair of food and beverage for the event. But one absence will likely be noticed.
For the first time in 34 years, D&J Pronto Pups won’t be at the festival. Owner Dwight Wedel said he didn’t want to comment on his reasons for leaving. But he did want fans to know he will be at the Kansas State Fair in September and is keeping a busy schedule all summer.
Davidson also wants crowds to know that even though Pronto Pup won’t be at the festival, corn dogs will be available. In fact, Hoopingarner Concessions, a vendor that has several booths in the food court, is taking over the former Pronto Pup space and filling it with a booth called Hoop’s Corn Dog & Fried Cheese. It will serve jumbo corn dogs, fried cheese on a stick, fried snickers, and pretzels.
Also new this year: Santa Lucia Greek Gyros — a vendor that served at the festival several years ago — is returning with a menu featuring gyro sandwiches and platters, falafel on a stick, baklava and also a foot-long corn dog.
Otherwise, the festival hungry will find all of their old favorites from the past, including Hoopingarner funnel cakes and philly steaks, Tad’s Bodacious Burritos, chicken on a stick from both Tad’s and Chan’s Concessions, Original Corn Roast’s ears of roasted corn, and Texas Reds’ giant turkey legs — an indulgent treat said to be the favorite of this year’s Admiral Windwagon Smith, Kay Monk-Morgan.
The food court will also once again include a Wichita restaurant. Tacos TJ 664 is returning after a successful outing in 2022 and will serve quesadillas, tacos, nachos and horchata.
The main food court east of Century II, which features shaded and covered picnic tables, is the main place for festivalgoers to chow down. They also will be able to get food on Douglas during the concerts. New to the Douglas lineup is Ben’s Soft Pretzels, serving handmade jumbo soft pretzels with sweet and savory dipping sauces. Also available on Douglas: ice cream, funnel cakes, Dippin Dots and Kona Ice.
The festival will also have several beer gardens where adult beverages can be purchased, and a double-decker bar set up on Douglas will provide excellent concert viewing for people who claim the top-level seats first.
Other eating opportunities during the Riverfest include the Cajun Food Fest, which happens from 5 to 8:30 p.m. June 8 on Kennedy Plaza outside Century II. Traditional Cajun meals featuring chicken etouffee, red beans and rice with sausage, a roll and bread pudding with bourbon custard sauce will sell for $15.
Also, the Hiland Dairy Ice Cream Social happens from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and will offer free giant scoops of vanilla ice cream. An ice cream sandwich eating contest will happen just before the event at 6 p.m..
As always, attendees will need to buy tickets to get food. They’re for sale at ticket booths near the food court and cost $1 apiece.
The food court will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday, June 9 and June 10, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through June 8.
Take a look at the full festival food menu below:
