Walnut Valley Festival celebrates 40-plus years
They’re calling this the 40th annual Walnut Valley Festival, but for some old-timers, the tradition goes back even further.
The first folk music festival took place in Winfield —about 40 miles southeast of Wichita — on the campus of Southwestern College more than 44 years ago on April 29, 1967, 65-year-old Walt Racker says.
“The reason I remember that is it’s the weekend we got married,” said Racker, who celebrated his 44th anniversary with his wife, 64-year-old Adele, this year.
Organized by legendary guitar maker Stuart Mossman and other Southwestern students, and funded with $300 from the college, the inaugural festival brought in such big names as Jimmy Driftwood and Doc Watson.
“Doc Watson said ‘If you don’t mind, I’ve got a young son, I’ll bring Merle with me,’” Racker said. “We had a wonderful festival two or three times at the college.” When the festival outgrew that venue and morphed into the Walnut Valley Festival, the Rackers were there, as well.
Meanwhile, Walnut Valley — usually just called “Winfield” — has grown into an event known internationally as much for around-the-clock jamming in its campgrounds as organized shows on stage. It drew 13,870 visitors last year. As usual, music will run on four official stages day and night through Sunday. The national flat-picking championship and seven other competitions will draw contestants from around the world.
In one nod to the anniversary, the festival is bringing back two performers — flatpicker Dan Crary and fiddle player Byron Berline. Other expected highlights are up-and-coming bands like Ponca City’s Prairie Fire, perennial favorites such as Australian guitar whiz Tommy Emmanuel, and the first official show by singer-songwriter Michael Martin Murphy of “Wildfire” fame.
Murphy played one song with Josh Williams at last year’s festival, but “technically it’s his first time,” Festival spokesman Rex Flottman said. “We’ve been trying to work it out for several years. We finally we were able to get him in the lineup.” Early ticket sales point to a bigger festival than ever.
“We’ve had a lot folks wanting to know how much room there is for camping,” Flottman said. “They may have a little trouble getting electrical hookups, but we’ve got lots of room.”
The Rackers manage to be both nostalgic about the festival’s old days and excited about its present.
Racker says the festival went through a phase when there were too many drugs and fights. But he says young people who’ve grown up coming to the festival with their parents respect its traditions. Their own five grandchildren often camp with them. Today, the Rackers, who live near Tecumseh, say they can’t imagine a September without Walnut Valley’s music and camaraderie.
“I think I just like to camp with people who like music,” Adele said. “It’s more casual than if you go to festivals on the East Coast. It’s just a great place to be.” “We’re always nostalgic about the good old days,” Walt added. “Like everything that grows, it changes, evolves over the years. It’s still the music that brings us together.”
If you go
2011 WALNUT VALLEY FESTIVAL
What: Acoustic music festival featuring music on several official and unofficial stages, musical competitions, crafts, food and camping.
Where: Winfield fairgrounds, 1105 W. 9th Ave. in Winfield
When: The festival, which began Wednesday, continues through Sunday
Tickets: Day passes are $35 for adults and $5 for children 6-11. Children under 6 are free with a paid adult. Multi-day passes and camping permits also are available.
For schedule and more info, visit wvfest.com.
This story was originally published September 15, 2011 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Walnut Valley Festival celebrates 40-plus years."