WWW arkcity.net

Photo by Alex Gambill click image to enlarge

Campers inconvenienced, but not too bothered

Walnut Valley Festival

By JONATHAN FISCHER
Traveler Correspondent

Last week's inclement weather has forced campers out of the Cowley County Fairgrounds in Winfield, but it has neither dampened the spirits nor hindered festival-goers from proceeding with plans for this year's Walnut Valley Festival.

Camper and festival worker Bill Coe is optimistic and looking forward to this year's festivities.

"I believe that Speedway Pizza and Cherokee Strip R.V. Park should receive a special thanks," said Coe. "The owner (Russell Graves) and his staff should know that we are very grateful for taking us refugees in. They have been very helpful, kind and overall hospitable in caring for us."

All of the festivities will continue as planned due to the help of many who spent hours cleaning up the fairgrounds. The craft booths, vendors and music are still on the schedule. The only missing element is the campers.

Due to flooding, campers were evacuated to surrounding areas such as Oxford and Arkansas City with most of the influx being diverted to Winfield Lake.

Charles and Pat White of Arkansas City also opened their home to campers. They are long-time festival goers and have camped at the festival for years. When floodwaters forced them to leave, they brought other campers to their home on South First Street and have set up there for the week.

When John Crow, Winfield Lake supervisor, and a coworker received a call about the moving of festival campers, they prepared the lake area to accommodate the numerous campers.

There are currently over 700 campers at the lake with the expectation of approximately 1,000 by Sunday. Electrical outlets were filled to capacity at the site so the City of Winfield installed another 200 temporary, electrical hookups to help with the extra usage.

"Keeping everyone happy is our biggest concern," said Crow.

The Winfield police and fire departments have officials on duty for public safety and security. The sentiment at the lake is one of general excitement.

Entertainment will be in full swing at the newly constructed Winfield Lake Stage 5. Campers are anxiously awaiting the various bands that will be performing in 30-minute intervals. Stage 5 is primarily acoustic.

The move from the fairground to the lake left festival goers undaunted. However, one lady mentioned it felt awkward because her family is separated and they can't walk from one camp to the other. Another mentioned he misses the Pecan Grove and its trees.

The general consensus of festival-goers as to what compels them to travel great distances each year were the following: It's better every year; old friends and making new ones; and the different sorts of food vendors. But the biggest reason given is the great selection of music.

According to the duo Prickly Pair, Wes and Locke Hamilton, from northern Wyoming, and Cactus Chorale's Norman Winter, Wednesday night at Stage 3 is for all those cowboys out there.

The groups above are featured attractions along with Dave Stamey, a singer-songwriter from Nispomo, Calif., the Diamond W. Wranglers, Bill Barwick and Roz Brown.

"Each year it is bigger and better," said 20-year festival worker Tammy Champagne. "I just love the people, the fun and the music. I really love serving the public."

Above: From left, Rolly Brown, from Philadelphia, Bill Startz from Chicago and Kathleen and Dave Gustafson, from Kansas City, jam Tuesday at Winfield Lake where they set up camp for the 37th Annual Walnut Valley Festival.