It's Winfield, Man

For years my friends have incessantly bugged me.

"You've got to go to Winfield, man. You've got to go!"

I've always been a little reluctant.

For those of you that don't know, Winfield is the home of the Walnut Valley Festival - a week long bluegrass shindig. My friends in Deadman Flats play there along with many big names in the genre.

Well, the stars finally aligned just right (meaning they finally didn't hold the festival during the State Fair), and I was able to go. I hitched a ride with my best friend, his wife (AJ of Almost Gourmet) and their family. We got there on Friday. The festival usually takes place, camping and all, in the Winfield fairgrounds. Due to flooding, however, the camping was moved to Winfield lake, about fifteen minutes from the fairgrounds. The main stages remained at the fairgrounds, but the ones I wanted to see moved to the lake along with the camping. Basically, I wasted $65 on a gate ticket to the grandstands and didn't even go. All's well just the same.

The camping area was packed. It was like a tent village. I've never seen anything like it. You could wander into any camp and start a conversation. I didn't witness any negativity from anybody the whole time I was there. There wasn't a problem that couldn't be brushed off with a simple "It's Winfield, man." Then somebody would hand you a beer, and all would be well again. If only there were a way to live like that forever.

We set up slightly on the outside of the main congested areas, since we showed up after the land rush, so it was a ten-fifteen minute walk to get to either of the closest stages or to our friends' camps, but with so many friendly people on the way, it's hard to complain about that.

Bands that I was fortunate enough to see include Deadman Flats, Freedom - a band with Charlie Roberts (from Hutchinson) and some of his friends from Norway, Truckstop Honeymoon, DeWayne Brothers and several others whose names I can't remember. I'm not a huge bluegrass fan, but I know talented performers when I see them, and there were many of them there. There was a ton of talent spread throughout the campsites as well, with jams breaking out left and right. Everywhere you went there was music to listen to.

As I said, I didn't make it to the main stage, but for anyone interested, there are also flatpicking and banjo competitions and some bigger names playing at the grandstands. I'm going to be sure to catch those next year, assuming that the camp grounds are in good shape. If you can, you should try and make it out, too. You haven't lived until you've seen Hillbilly Woodstock.

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Didn't your momma teach you to share? Share us.

Users' Comments (4)

Posted by Gary Barnes 09-23-2008 07:44, , Guest   Happy Trails  Glad you had fun. I understand it is a fun trip. You would think with a really big fairgrounds Hutch could start something like that and really make a go of it. Just a thought. ATP   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by SB 09-23-2008 14:55, , Guest   Hey Mitchell,  There was also camping in Oxford, local baseball and softball parks, and Walmart among others. I was in Oxford and the city treated us wonderful. Lots of great entertainment at all the venues.   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by bRIan 09-24-2008 11:36, , Guest   I've not been to the festival since it was moved to Winfield, but back in the day it was held at Harvey County Park - West. It was a lot of fun! Bluegrass isn't my favorite genre, but I can sure appreciate talent when I hear it, and that's a LOT of talent crammed into a short amount of time.   » Reply to this comment...   Posted by AJ_B. 09-25-2008 09:36, , Registered   We had an awesome time! The one thing they say is never go to Winfield unless you plan on going every year. It is truly addictive.   » Reply to this comment...

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