Local historian Seth Bate tells the story of the Walnut Valley
Festival with reflections from staff, emcees, performers, campers, and
characters from throughout its history.
The Festival was launched in 1972 when a guitar maker, a farmer, and a
businessman built their own music festival from the ground up. It has
made the small town of Winfield into an annual destination for acoustic
musicians and music lovers from around the world and it has always been
participatory, with the informal campsite pickin' as much a part of the
event as the stage shows and instrumental contests. The Walnut Valley
Festival has always been proud of its deep-rooted traditions, but most
of all, it is a community celebration.