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The Bluegrass hangover

By JOSHUA AMES
Special to the Traveler

After a long week of music and fellowship, many festival-goers begin to pack it up and make the journey back to "real life" on Sunday morning, the last official day of the Walnut Valley Festival.

Even though the majority make an early start of moving along, there are still those who prefer the aftermath to the blast off.

It is said that Sunday night is one of the best times to be at the festival since it offers a more close-knit atmosphere compared to the cultural hub it turns into at its peak times, like Friday and Saturday night.

Troy Yardley of Wichita, says the last night holds many hidden surprises for the patient ones who stick it out. The best jam sessions and the best food can be expected for those who aren't quite ready to go.

"The last night is the best part of the whole deal," said Yardley. "Everybody that's still here throws their food together and has a feast."

Jericho Shahan says Sunday night is the ideal time that he and his friends look forward to, as well as seeing friends from afar.

"You get to spend that extra day with good friends and it's not so much about partying as it is about playing music together one last time before next year," said Shahan.

A man who would only identify himself as "Grenola" Joe, says he and his friends always stay behind to join the rest of the stragglers who aren't quite ready to say goodbye to Winfield.

"We just don't want to leave after being here a month already, so I'm gonna stay one more day," he said laughing.

Nancy Smith, of Tahlequah, Okla., said that some people who linger travel from festival to festival all year round, the closest being the Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival in Guthrie, Okla.

The people who can manage this are typically business owners and retirees who thoroughly enjoy this easy-going, nomadic life.

"Most of us who stay behind have a lifestyle that doesn't require Monday mornings," said Smith. "Most of us will probably head to Guthrie, after here."