The crowd enjoys the 2008 Walnut Valley Festival despite heavy rain-storms that threatened last years festival.

Winfield, Kansas — After a year that was anything but normal it is safe to say the organizers of this year’s 38th annual Walnut Valley Festival are looking forward to a festival that is more like the 36 festivals prior to the 2008 event. Unusually heavy rains in the days leading up to the festival caused the Walnut River to rise to a crest of 32 feet, well over the 18 foot flood stage. Having a river that flows along three of four sides of the Winfield Fairgrounds, home to the festival, normally provides a very scenic sight, but when that same river is 14 feet over flood stage things change in a hurry.

One situation created was the need to empty the campgrounds of several hundred inhabitants who, only a day earlier had moved in to set up their temporary homes for the duration of the festival. The soaked ground made it difficult for people to get their campers and RV’s out of the campgrounds. Campers were dispatched to a number of locations including the Winfield City Lake, Black Creek Park, the Winfield Livestock Auction location and even the city park in nearby Oxford. Fortunately for festival organizers the river began receding on Monday the week of the festival. With the help of the City of Winfield and a highly dedicated “setup” crew the 37th annual Walnut Valley Festival was able to take place as scheduled at the regular location. The off site campers were offered shuttle buses that provided transportation to the festival grounds.

But that is, shall we say, all water under the bridge. With the 38th annual Walnut Valley Festival approaching organizers are quick to say they are expecting business as usual this year. Planners have been making the phone calls needed to line up what festival organizers call “campground comforts” such needed items as port-a-potties, showers, emergency first-aid crews, and holding tank service crews. There are also plans for new recycle containers to help with the amount of waste collected.

There’s no place like home, even if it’s just a temporary campsite for a few days, has probably been one of the most used sayings by festival fans and workers as well. While folks seemed to endure the off site camping last year there is a definite desire from most to be back on the Winfield Fairgrounds at the traditional festival camping areas. For years music lovers and pickers have returned, often to the same location at the fairgrounds. Friends are able to reconnect and catch up on happenings after a year apart. Stage 5, an open mic stage that has been a staple of the Pecan Grove for over 20 years will be back at their regular location after a year at the city lake. Russell Brace, owner of the 1954 Chevrolet, one and a half ton, flatbed grain truck that annually becomes Stage 5, is looking forward to the return to the Pecan Grove.

The performing artists have been hired, the arts and crafters have been selected, food vendors are contracted and the stages are being readied for the September 16th kickoff of this year’s event. This year the 38th annual Walnut Valley Festival runs from September 16th through September 20th. The festival website is www.wvfest.com for fans wanting more information. Folks may also call the office at 620-221-3250 or drop by 918 Main Street for information or to purchase advanced priced tickets.

2009 Walnut Valley Festival Scheduled Performers

• Bill Barwick
• Stephen Bennett
• Roz Brown
• Tom Chapin & friends
• Julie Davis
• Beppe Gambetta
• The Greencards
• Buddy Greene, Ron Block & Jeff Taylor
• Pete Huttlinger
• The Infamous Stringdusters
• Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin
• Marley’s Ghost
• Andy May
• John McCutcheon
• Adam Miller
• David Moran, Joe Morgan & Friends
• Mountain Heart
• Mountain Smoke
• David Munnelly Band
• Notorious
• Barry Patton
• The Kati Penn Band
• Prickly Pair & The Cactus Chorale
• Sawmill Road
• Trevor Stewart
• Still on the Hill
• Linda Tilton
• The Wilders
• The Wiyos