Women's Fair 2016: Bigger and Better Than Ever

February 17, 2016 | Ashley Aulbach

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Women's Fair 2016: Bigger and Better Than Ever

New Amber Marie Merchandise

The Women’s Fair returns to Wichita's Century II from Feb. 19-21 this year. This event has provided Wichita-area women of all ages with a unique, fun and exciting shopping experience for 18 years. Featuring the newest styles and latest trends, the Women’s Fair highlights clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, home décor, gourmet foods, wine tastings and much more. The Fair even offers several opportunities to win prizes, trips, and shopping sprees!

One of Wichita’s largest events, the Women’s Fair began in 1998, as a simple idea of Deanna Wheeler and Chris Brown, founding partners of the Women’s Fair. The first show was held the following year, and drew a crowd of approximately 2,000 people. The Women’s Fair has grown each year since, now boasting more than 350 exhibitors and between 15,000 and 16,000 in attendance. The Fair’s overwhelming popularity in the area makes tickets hard to come by, and they typically sell out months before the show begins.

The Women's Fair in 2016

Women's Fair Managing Partners Deanna Wheeler (left) and Chris Brown (right.)

The fair will run from noon until 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

This year brings even more growth to the Women’s Fair, as it will highlight 25 stage presentations, three of which are brand new events.

This year, the Fair boasts a KFDI Doggie Runway Fashion Show Featuring doggie models from Hands of Hope Rescue Dogs, the event, sponsored by All Paws Pet Center, promotes the organization which is dedicated to saving the lives of dogs in Kansas and the surrounding states.

The fashion show will feature KFDI’s Carol Hughes as a celebrity host. After the show, the dogs will be available for adoption.

Another fashion show comes to the Women’s Fair this year, as Channel 963 presents the Shocker Pride Fashion Contest. In this show guests are invited to wear their craziest Shocker gear a strut down the runway in their black and yellow creation! The Shocker Pride Fashion Show will be on Saturday at 2 p.m., and prizes will be awarded in categories like most fashionable and most outrageous attire. To participate, guests can register in advance at channel963.com or visit the iHeartmedia booth prior to the event.

Also new to the Fair this year, The Eric Fisher Hair Show takes the stage at 4 p.m. on Saturday. During this presentation, internationally recognized Eric Fisher will demonstrate newest haircuts and trends.

Women's Fair Over the Years

Chris Brown has been involved with the Women’s Fair from the very beginning, and has seen the growing community response to the Fair first hand.

“Seeing women of all ages and stages of life having a good time together has always been a delight. The Women’s Fair has a multi-generation appeal. All ages, from young girls to older women, find things of interest to see and do. Everyone knows the Fair is a fun girl’s day out, but Deanna and I have heard stories through the years that something someone has learned or come into contact with at our show transformed their lives,” Brown said.

In addition, Brown noted the positive impact that the Women’s Fair has had on Wichita’s economy.

“We have heard incredible success stories throughout the years from our local business as well as those from across the country. Businesses find the Fair a perfect place to interact with their target market, make immediate sales, generate future store traffic, launch a new product or business and create lasting impressions and relationships.”