What is the Festival’s procedure for lost children or items?
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.
Where should I go to receive a bandaid or minor medical attention?
First Aid services are available South of the 4th Street Bridge, near Headquarters, provided by Salina Family HealthCare. For medical emergencies, please call 911 and the onsite EMS will be dispatched to your location.
Who can answer my general Festival questions on-site?
Information Booths
Festival information booths are the best source for directions and other Festival-related details. Get your Festival T-shirts there. Two locations: on the east side near the East Arts Show and west of the Art/Craft Demonstration Area near the Fourth Street Bridge.
Do you have a list of what is and isn't allowed?
ALLOWED
- Blankets
- Chairs
- Strollers
- Wagons
- Coolers*
- Outside Food & Drink*
- Shade umbrellas are restricted for use behind a marked boundary in the Main Stage area, to facilitate sightlines. Please stay behind this line with your umbrella.
NOT ALLOWED
- Individual shade tents and canopies
- Plastic ground tarps
- Rollerblades
- Skateboards
- Scooters
- Bicycles (except for Public Safety – Police & Fire)
- Glass containers*
- Pets; only authorized service animals are permitted on Festival grounds.
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.
Accessibility Services?
Accessibility Services are located in the shelter near the shuttle stop.
Independent Connection/OCCK Staff are available at the mobility services to support accessibility and mobility questions.
Wave and Ride Shuttle: Two large, marked golf carts will shuttle individuals between marked pick-up locations in the park.
Shuttles: Free shuttles and a CityGo bus travel between the Tony's Pizza Events Center parking lot and the shuttle stop on Festival grounds; all are accessible.
Friday: 10 am - 8 pm* | Saturday: 10 am - 8 pm* | Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm
Bus Services: Free rides to the Festival on the CityGo Bus System with a Festival wristband (Thursday, Friday, Saturday). CityGo also offers expanded bus service of regular routes within Salina city limits for the weekend.
Thursday & Friday: 6 am - 10 pm | Saturday: 9 am - 10 pm
Handicapped Parking: A limited number of Handicapped parking spots are available in the parking lot next to the 4th Street bridge (the old Salina Journal parking lot.) These are available on a first-come/first-served basis.
What do wristbands cost and where do I get one?
A 4-day Festival Wristband is $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. Advance-price wristbands are available beginning May 1 until the end of business the Tuesday before Festival, at the SAH offices at 211 W Iron Avenue, online at riverfestival.com, and at all authorized wristband retailers.
After that, 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, at the Fourth Street, Mulberry, Events Center gates and for those riding the trams.
NOTE: Admission Wristbands will NOT be available for purchase at Kenwood Bridge.
When and how should I wear my wristband?
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.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
The Smoky Hill River Festival is an outdoor event that happens rain or shine, unless an emergency or threatening situation exists.
Smoky Hill River Festival Inclement Weather Plan
Text and E-Mail alerts from Festival Staff are available via RecZone. Sign up HERE and select Oakdale Park.
Saline County Emergency Management also provides Weather Alerts via Text. Sign up at bit.ly/SCEMWEAHHERALERTS.
Can I put my wristband on my bag or purse?
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.
What if I need to replace my wristband?
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 replacement at the gate. The old wristband MUST be exchanged for a new one.
What time do performances begin on the stages each day?
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.
Can I bring my dog?
Pets and animals are not allowed on Festival grounds, with the exception of 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.
How do I volunteer for the Festival?
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities for all different skill levels and interests. Needs can be found on our volunteer sign-up page.
Where do Festival volunteers go to enter or check in?
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 VolunteerLocal, or call Festival Headquarters at 785-827-9094 for assistance.
What other visitor services are available?
First Aid
First aid services are available South of the 4th Street Bridge, near Headquarters, provided by Salina Family Healthcare.
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 East Arts Area across from 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
Festival Vending & Sales
Only authorized artists, performers and food vendors may sell on-grounds. No exceptions. No distribution of promotional giveaways or literature allowed.
Do kids need a wristband?
Children ages 11 and under get in free.
Anyone ages 12 and up will need a four-day or daily wristband.
How do I apply to be a Festival artist, vendor or performer?
Click here to find links to apply to a future River Festival.
When is the next River Festival?
The festival is held annually on the weekend that includes the second Friday of June.
June 12-15, 2025
June 11-14, 2026
June 10-13, 2027
Smile!
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 hashtags 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.
Keep It Green
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.