The 33rd annual Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina, Kansas, proved to be one of the most popular in its history, with nearly 78,000 attending the three-day event. Temperatures well below normal contributed to thousands converging into the huge Umbrella City seen above.
The Festival features three days of arts & entertainment. The groups Lost Wax, above, and Needfire, below, were crowd favorites. 
Even the Pond was lined and made festive for the occasion.
The arts exhibits were many and varied. Even the ground squirrel in the last shot came out to inspect the merchandise.
A time-honored tradition at any festival is, of course, standing in line to buy food. This Festival's food vendors were all extremely busy. This photo is from the back of the line for the Homemade Ice Cream folks from Harper, Kansas. Be sure to check out and enjoy next year's edition of the Smoky Hill River Festival.
