Shuttles
Free CityGo shuttles from the Tony’s Pizza Events Center parking lot to Festival grounds are accessible during Festival week: Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
CityGo/OCCK Bus Service
The CityGo Routes offer expanded bus service on Thursday and Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. to Oakdale Park (drop-offs are Oakdale entrance and Events Center bridge) during the Festival, to take people anywhere on normal routes within Salina City limits. Bus service is free Thursday through Saturday for anyone wearing a Festival wristband. No expanded service on Sunday. After regular shuttle hours, OCCK provides transportation for people with movement impairments on an on-call basis only. Go to Festival Headquarters for assistance. Friday and Saturday: 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Parking
Parking is free and available at Tony’s Pizza Events Center and on neighborhood streets. A free shuttle runs into the park from various parking-lot stops (see above).
Mobility Scooters and Wheelchairs are not available for rent or loan onsite.
Masks are not required to attend the Festival but we encourage all unvaccinated individuals to wear masks when social distancing is not possible. Masks are required to participate in some activities. Signs will be posted at each event and across Festival grounds.
Festival staff is staying in contact with local and state officials in regards to COVID-19 protocols and any updates will be posted at riverfestival.com.
Lost children are escorted to the Festival Lost & Found trailer near the Fourth Street Bridge, just south of Festival Headquarters, to be reunited with parents. If you lose a child, report to the Lost & Found trailer, or ask a Festival Staff member for help. Lost or misplaced items can be found in the Lost & Found trailer.
After the Festival concludes, please call 785-309-5770 to check on any lost or misplaced items as all items are transferred to the Arts & Humanities office.
First Aid and EMS services are available at the permanent restroom building next to the tennis courts. For medical emergencies, please call 911 and the onsite EMS will be dispatched to your location.
Information Booths
Festival information booths are the best source for directions and other Festival-related details. Get your Festival T-shirts and commemorative buttons there. Two locations: on the east side near the Kenwood Bridge and west of the Art/Craft Demonstration Area near the Fourth Street Bridge.
ALLOWED
NOT ALLOWED
Please Note: these lists are not exhaustive. Security/Staff have the final say. *While coolers and outside food and drink are allowed on-site, glass bottles and containers are not.
All items must be removed each evening, any belongings left behind will be taken daily to Lost & Found. The Festival is not responsible for lost or stolen items. All items found will be logged and can be retrieved with proper ID from Lost & Found.
A 4-day Festival Wristband is $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. Advance-price wristbands are available beginning July 26 until the end of business on August 31, at the SAH offices at 211 W Iron Avenue, online at riverfestival.com, and at all authorized wristband retailers.
After August 31st, wristbands will only be available at the gate. 4-day wristbands are $20 or Daily wristbands are $10 and are sold same-day, cash-only, on the Festival shuttle trams and at the Fourth Street, Mulberry, and Events Center gates.
NOTE: Admission Wristbands will NOT be available for purchase at Kenwood Bridge or Oakdale Gate.
Put it around your wrist just before you arrive, on the first day you plan to attend Festival. The wristband must be securely fastened and no more than two flat fingers may fit between your arm and wristband. Security staff will check wristbands at each gate and may deny entrance to anyone wearing a loose, tampered or damaged wristband.
Once a wristband is tightened, it cannot be loosened. Assistance to put on your wristband is available at the gate. Contact SAH at 785-309-5770 for additional questions and instructions.
Pets and animals are not allowed on Festival grounds, with the exception of licensed service dogs per ADA requirements.
Dogs whose sole purpose is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service dogs. When it is not obvious what service an animal provides, two questions may be asked (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform.
No, it may not be worn on a purse, tote bag, other belongings, or anywhere else on the body. It must be securely fastened to your wrist. You must wear your wristband through the end of the final day you plan to attend. Come and go as much as you like, on the days on which you wear a valid wristband.
Once cut, removed or damaged, a wristband is no longer valid for entry.
If you need to replace your wristband while at the Festival, visit Headquarters for a replacement. There may be a $20 fee. The Festival is not responsible for stolen or damaged wristbands.
Individuals who must remove their wristband for work can receive a re-admission certificate from the Festival Information Booth. The wristband will be removed and you will be provided a certificate to present to the Gates attendants for a replacement when you return to the Festival, ID will be required.
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for all different skill levels and interests. Needs can be found on our signup.com volunteer page.
Volunteers wearing a wristband may enter at any gate during Festival-operation hours. Volunteers scheduled before 10:00 a.m. should enter at the Mulberry Street Bridge. Check your e-mail for volunteer-shift details via SignUp.com, or call Festival Headquarters at 785-827-9094 for assistance.
EMS First Aid Center First aid and EMS services are available at the permanent restroom next to the tennis courts.
Baby Station A shady spot to change a diaper or feed your baby, located in Artyopolis. Friday & Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday: Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Lost & Found Misplaced items are taken to the Lost & Found trailer located near the Fourth Street Bridge, south of Festival Headquarters. Lost children are also escorted here to be reunited with their parents.
Ident-A-Kid Take your kids to the Ident-A-Kid booth to get an ID bracelet that will assist staff in reuniting any lost children with their parents or loved ones. Staffed by First Bank Kansas Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Information Booths Festival T-shirt sales as well as the best source for directions and answers to your Festival-related questions. Two locations: near the Kenwood Bridge and west of the Art/Craft Demonstration area.
Mobile-Device Charging Complimentary device-charging stations are available at the northeast end of the Art Show – East, courtesy of Nex-Tech Wireless.
Public Restrooms In addition to numerous portable restrooms, there are 3 permanent public restrooms located within Oakdale park. By the Kenwood Bridge, next to the tennis courts and in Riverside.
ATM There is one ATM on grounds at the permanent restroom building near the tennis courts. Several bank ATMs are within a few blocks of Festival grounds.
View our Festival Map
Only authorized artists, performers and food vendors may sell on-grounds. No exceptions. No distribution of promotional giveaways or literature allowed.
Children ages 11 and under get in free.
Anyone ages 12 and up will need a four-day or daily wristband.
Click here to find links to apply to a future River Festival.
The festival is held annually on the weekend that includes the second Friday of June and we plan to return to those dates in 2022
June 8-11, 2023
June 13-16, 2024
June 13-16, 2025
The Smoky Hill River Festival is documented each year through images and video, for use for marketing purposes in subsequent years. The purchase of a wristband gives implied permission for the use of your image in this way. The Festival accepts no liability and offers no compensation for any image used in this way.
Due to copyright infringement, absolutely NO unauthorized recording or pictures of any entertainment act is permitted. Check out the Photo Gallery or our festival hashtag #SHRF2021 to see great pics. Be sure to post your own on social media and tag us @shriverfestival on Twitter and Facebook or @smokyhillriverfestival on Instagram.
The Smoky Hill River Festival takes place in scenic Oakdale Park, one of Salina’s oldest and most beautiful green spaces. To lessen negative environmental impact and provide a comfortable experience for all guests, please gather and deposit your trash or recycling each day, into designated containers.
Performances are scheduled to begin at 11:00 am.
You may hear soundcheck or recorded music before then, but performances will not begin until 11:00 am.