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The year was 1972. New Grass Revival was fresh on the scene and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band dropped their legendary Will the Circle Be Unbroken vinyl recordings. It is also the year that The Walnut Valley Association was formed by Winfield, KS area residents – including Sam Ontjes and Stuart Mossman (Mossman Guitars). The organization’s mission was to produce the Walnut Valley National Guitar Flat-Picking Championships Festival, also known as the Flat-Picking Championships. For music enthusiasts and pickers, the event has become known simply as “Winfield.”
Traditionally held the third weekend in September at the Winfield Kansas Fairgrounds, the Walnut Valley Festival has long prided itself on being a multi-faceted event. Education, competition, performances, and camaraderie are embedded in what many consider the grandaddy of bluegrass/folk gatherings. The 2022 event, September 14-18, will celebrate 50 years of festivals.
The Contests
As mentioned earlier, the contests are the bread and butter of the festival. Contests are open to anyone except those who are performing as a billed or paid entertainer, or workshop leader, at the Walnut Valley Festival. Those who have been the First Place Winner within the past five years are not eligible to compete the following year. Previous winners may enter and win contests which they have not won within the last five years. More than one person has won a category only to come back the following year and win a different category.
For 2022, only 40 contestants may compete in the International Autoharp, the National Mountain Dulcimer, the National Mandolin, the Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle, the National Hammer Dulcimer, and the National Bluegrass Banjo Championships.
Only 50 contestants may enter in the International Finger Style Guitar and the National Flat Pick Guitar Championships.
Past winners include musicians Chris Thile, Ron Block, Kenny Smith, Mark O’Connor, Jake Workman, and many other familiar names. View list of past winners here.
The Performers
The very first year of the WVF the artist showcase featured two incredibly significant performers in Jimmie Driftwood and Doc Watson. They were joined by other performers and the event was off to a strong start.
Over the years, nearly all the biggest names in modern bluegrass, folk, and Americana music have performed at Winfield. Those artists include: Lester Flatt, Doc & Merle Watson, Mark O’Connor, Alison Krauss, Byron Berline, Dan Crary, Norman Blake, John Hartford, David Grisman, Merle Travis, New Grass Revival, Hot Rize, Nickel Creek, Tony Rice, Jim & Jesse, Jimmie Driftwood, Don Reno, Buck White, Front Porch String Band, Doug Dillard, The Chapmans, and many more.
Land Rush
Camping on the grounds of the Cowley County Fairgrounds opens one week before the Thursday when the stage acts begin. However, seasoned WVF attendees line up well in advance for choice campsites. This event is known as the Land Rush. It is a spectacle of its own. People begin lining up over a month prior to the festival to get their line number for Land Rush. In all, more than 10,000 people participate in Land Rush.
Most of the Winfield campers play, or at least bring a musical instrument, so the campgrounds are particularly conducive to all-night jamming. A unique part of the Walnut Valley Festival is the creative names and themes that many camps feature.
Jamming
There have been many a band that got its start as a jam band in the camping grounds. Over the years, camps have created their own stages/venues for campground picking. Most have their own sign up process for getting on the camp stage.
It’s also common for paid stage performers to wander through the campgrounds and pick around a campfire. The paved road running through the Pecan Grove Campgrounds is called the Boulevard, and you will hear some incredible picking among those congregating along the way. Bottom line… there are scheduled performances and impromptu jams throughout the day – and most of the night.
50th Anniversary Celebration
Several of this year’s performers have a connection to the 1972 lineup, but only one, Dan Crary, is listed on the poster for both the first and 50th festival. The flatpick guitar legend and Kansas native will perform with Bill Evans and Wally Barnick.
Other artists that will participate in 2022 with ties to early Walnut Valley Festivals include Béla Fleck, Pat Flynn, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage (first appearance), Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Tim O’Brien Band, The Steel Wheels, Marley’s Ghost, John McCutcheon, Tom Chapin & Friends, and Still on the Hill. Andy May returns to host his Acoustic Kids Showcase.
Amenities at the Walnut Valley Festival include:
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Multiple Performance and Contest Stages
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Multiple Concessions Locations
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Multiple Crafts
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Buildings
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Arts & Crafts Pavilion
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Walnut Valley Mercantile
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Workshop Rooms
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Wi-Fi Internet Cafe
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Ice Station
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First Aid Station
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Firewood Sales
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Golf Cart Rental
The Chapman’s Acoustic Shoppe and Ozark Music Shoppe at Winfield
The Chapman’s have appeared at the Walnut Valley Festival as featured performers numerous times. In 2022, The Chapman’s will be part of the 50th Anniversary of the event as a vendor.
The Chapman’s Acoustic Shoppe will be a featured vendor and will occupy a large booth with a superb selection of instruments and accessories. Several factory reps will be on hand to assist the knowledgeable Acoustic Shoppe staff.
In addition, the crew for the Ozark Music Shoppe, the television show produced and hosted by the Chapman’s, will be on hand creating content. The competition stage will be used extensively by the Ozark Music Shoppe and will feature special guests during filming.
We hope to see you all in Winfield as we celebrate 50 years of the Walnut Valley Festival.
Useful Links
Walnut Valley Festival https://www.wvfest.com
Walnut Valley Festival Map https://www.wvfest.com/festival-map
The Acoustic Shoppe https://www.theacousticshoppe.com
Ozark Music Shoppe https://www.facebook.com/ozarkmusicshoppe
With 25+ years of experience in the acoustic music industry as The Chapmans, our goal is to provide you with the best customer experience possible so we can be your music store for life. Voted NAMM Top 100 Dealer for 8 years in a row (2015-2022) & Top 3 Emerging Dealer in 2017, 2018 & 2019.
For more information, give us a call at 417-720-1223, shoot us an email at
info@theacousticshoppe.com, or stop by our showroom at 1913 E Seminole St. in Springfield, MO.
