The 38th annual Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina will be June 12-15 at Oakdale Park in Salina.

This years entertainment headliners on the main stage will be Funkadesi on Friday night, Simplified on Saturday night, and April Verch Band on Sunday evening.

Sharon Benson, Entertainment and Food Coordinator, explained that the entertainment committee was made up of six dedicated individuals who sorted through numerous artist submissions,”and I have to say I think that they’ve done a mighty fine job in creating some real diversity this year in the entertainment.”

Benson also said that this year they will have 34 food booths set up at the festival with food ranging from anything on a stick to true Couplegourmet taste treats.

“There are many that are returning with great items like chocolate covered frozen cheese cake, cinnamon roasted pecans, deep fried Twinkies and Swedish pancakes with lingonberries,” Benson said.

Some of the new items include bahama mamas and lemon daiquiris from Coco Bongos and baby red potatoes in butter and rib-eye sandwiches from Texas Red’s.

This year is year two of a three year plan to transform the children’s area at the festival, Artyopolis.

Amanda Morris is in her first year of coordinating Artyopolis and explained that they are offering some of the traditional project favorite’s at Creation Crossing and Button Boulevard along with some new projects.

“Some new projects are some paper puppets, door hangers, clothes pins butterflies. We’ve also got arty’s extras this year. It’s an embellishments table, kids can take any of the projects that they make at Artyopolis and take them over there and add some additional embellishments, jewels and things like that.”

ARTYOPOLISFree face paintings will also be offered at paint you plaza. Nine pay to play games will also be offered along Game Street. Prices for games range between .25 cents and .50 cents.

Approximately 90 artists will be participating in this years fine arts show on Saturday and Sunday. The four rivers crafts show that runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday will feature approximately 50 craft exhibitors.

Karla Prickett, Visual Arts Coordinator, said that she would put the fine arts show up against any venue in any metropolitan across the country.

“The shows have actually been rated in the top 50 in the entire nation,” Prickett said. “They bring in over $650,000 in sales annually.”

The art shows feature all types of art anywhere from wood working to jewelry along with painting, photography, drawing, ceramics and sculpture.

You can find more information on the River Festival at the festivals website www.riverfestival.com.