Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival

Subject: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 07 Aug 06 - 06:33 AM

Coming up soon - - WVA 2006

Winfield Kansas, USA – the (35th annual) Walnut Valley Association Acoustic Music Festival

Official Festival Dates: September 13 – 17, 2006 (Wed thru Sun)
The official festival is when all the hired guns get there and put on their acts, and the hobby and craft people are set up to sell their stuff to pay the mortgages. A few music vendors bring their really high priced stuff – good place to look them over if you can look rich enough.

Landrush September 7, 2006 (approximately 07:00)
All campers must enter the campground as part of, or after, landrush to try to get their favored campsites and electrical and water hookups as needed. When you get to camp after landrush, you're "at the festival" even though it doesn't start for about a week.

Lineup 07:00 September 2, 2006
The WVA takes over the fairground and you're "allowed" to line up for the big Landrush. No permanent setup – it's just to get in line and wait, but the pickin' sort of gets started pretty regularly then.

Pre-Lineup: Unofficially, you can camp in the RV park for 14 consecutive days, so some will be there from about August 19, 2005 waiting to get in the line to get in the line to get a campsite. Sporadic light pickin' maybe, depending on who gets there.

IS ANYBODY GONNA BE THERE?

Thread for last year: Winfield (WVA) 2005,
And the year before: Winfield (WVA) Festival 2004

The Official website: Walnut Valley Festival

The "unofficial" site where all the good stuff is: Don Shorock's Unofficial WVA – Pickers' Paradise

Far too many pictures from past years on Lin's site at http://waterhole.smugmug.com/. (Several other camps have websites – see the WVA and/or Pickers' Paradise for links.)

I'm expecting to try to get in line for the line for the linup for the line to get in line - on about 09 or 10 Aug 2006, depending on how a couple of repairs on the camper go, and on whether I can get all the s . . . (stuff) into the van and camper by then. Current plans are for Lin in Kansas to join me 01 Sept to get into the "real" lineup. The Kansas-Oklahoma Antique Steam and Gas meet will still be in the campground when I get there, if I'm on schedule, but I'll have to miss the first day of their show to "stay legal" with the campground rules (which are only enforced if I try to squeeze by with something).

WHO 'M I GONNA SEE THERE??????

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 07 Aug 06 - 06:37 AM

OOOOOPPPS! Correction: The pre-linup date really should say August 19, 2006, not 2005. It sometimes seems like you've been there all your life, but they won't actually let you wait in line for a whole year. (Some of us might if we could?)

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 03:56 AM

Refresh mostly to keep the thread up until somebody notices?

Slight correction. Some camper repairs reset my expected ETA to (most likely) 20 August. (But still +/- a day or so.) Preliminary report indicates some of our regular camp buddies may drag in about 25 August, but they haven't all reported in as yet.

Some may recall that last year the river was about 8 feet above flood stage (26 ft on the gage) and the entire campground was under water a few days before the festival. USGS report is that current river level is at 1.05 ft on the gage, flood stage is 18.0 ft, no recent precipitation worth noting, and all the nearby reservoirs are below 25% of their mean levels; so drowning isn't likely this year - unless it's in one's own sweat.

Local area temps have been high 90s F(97F today, 36 C), and predicted in that range for the next week or so (but we could still have frost before it's all over with a month from now(?)).

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 10:07 AM

Oh, I noticed all right.....dammit dammit dammit. Say Hi to my MiL will ya? Or to the Finn's Electric people...or Aunt Paulette in the WVA booth.....

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 11:46 AM

Can't come, but still have my memories. I am not sure I could cope with what it has developed into......coping with 3-4 weeks of jostling for position even before it starts is a bit much.

Y'all have fun!

(was cleaning a couple weeks ago, and found my 'ticket' from the 2nd year..They used to print little cards with date and status on it...I taped mine to my autoharp case)

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 12:04 PM

Yeah Bill, the lineup and shuffling around is sort of tiresome after doing it every year for 20+ years; but it's only necessary if you're with a group that wants/needs to get a particular prefered spot together and if you need electrical power. The electrical hookup is our main incentive to try real hard, since in our elder years we need refrigeration for all the pills and potions that keep us going. An ice bucket is fine for the beer, but it won't do for the insulin and such.

If we could camp a littler lighter, we could get by with 10 days and still find space to get in pretty easily. People with a couple of tents should be able to come in just for the weeekend of the festival and still find spots to pitch.

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 12:10 PM

hmmm...well....I never used electricity in all my 12 festivals! Maybe someday...

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 12:51 PM

Bill D.

Without checking records.

First 2 years, 2-man pup tent (sometimes slept 5), one ice chest.
Next 2 years, small dome tent, 2 ice chests.
Next 6 years or so, larger dome tent - big enough to stand up to pull the britches up.
Next 8 years, 12 foot popup camper/trailer, with stove, refrig, potty, shower. (necessary to get the pottie for the new trophy bride.)
Last 3 years, 23-foot trailer (good refrigerator for the meds and better security for instruments and stuff - mostly stuff).

Several of my "camp buddies" have gone through the phase of 70 foot fifth-wheel campers with triple slideouts, and a couple of them have been dragging 40-60 foot "trailer homes" for the last 10 or 12 years. But there are still lots of people in small tents (although a lot fancier tents than when I started).

We have one good buddy who's been coming longer than any of my bunch, although he's not part of our "group." He hauls a load of wood down in a 1/2 ton 2-wheel trailer and just sleeps under the trailer - spends most of his time whittlin' walkin' sticks out of the wood he brings along, when he's not working crew.

"Campable" area has probably doubled since you were there last. They now let people camp all the way up to the railroad east of the Pecan grove, and in the "rodeo" field around the grandstand, with a small number the last couple of years across the highway north.

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 02:29 PM

And, on the 'off' side of the river bridge on the North side.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Susan of DT
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 08:01 PM

The abbreviation is confusing. I thought Winfield was Kansas, but it sure looks like you are saying West Virginia.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Sorcha
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 08:17 PM

Sorry, WVA is Walnut Valley Association/Acoustic festival in Winfield Kansas.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 09 Aug 06 - 01:53 AM

"Walnut Valley" because the river that was a dozen feet deep in the campground last year - at about the time people started to arrive - is the Walnut River.

(Actually, it's one of at least 17 "Walnut Rivers" in the US, but it's the one in Kansas.)

Winfield is also known in some circles as the "Crayola Capitol" and has been where all those pretty Crayola colors are reputed to come from, or so I've been told.

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 12 Aug 06 - 03:35 PM

Refresh - (mostly)

Status report(?). It appears that my recent set-to with the camper manufacturing industry has borne successful fruit. The Air Conditioner in our new (3+ years ago) camper would "run" at the dealership, but NOT at any hookup I was able to find elsewhere. The AC mfr insisted the selling dealer was responsible while the warranty was good. The warranty expired. I sent "nasty" email to the AC mfr and they replied (big surprise!). They sent a "quick start kit" that I installed, but it didn't help. Next they recommended taking it back to an "authorized service agent" and we found a real dealer.

"Real Authorized Service Shop" asked "how'd you keep from killin' yourself" when they found an internal short (to ground) in the AC compressor assy. My answer: "I jump pretty quick when I get shocked."

AC mfr shipped new unit. Installed for labor cost. I will (apparently) have AIR CONDITIONING in my camper this year (if needed and if I can get an outlet). (And maybe I won't have to shut off the power to service the water tanks as I've been doing for 3 years?)

Local temps have been dropping - down from the daily highs in the 105 F (40.6 C) range a week ago. We haven't been above 98 F (36.7 C) for a few of days now, so it's really getting past AC weather (????). Of course the RH has been close to 80% still, but ....

My plan still is to get to Winfield to wait in line in about a week; but no specific date set firm as yet. Lin will likely remain at home until about 02 SEP when the "formal lineup" starts. That's when the campground music starts for serious.

Now if I can just find my mandolins, basses, whistles, harmonicas, dulcimers, and squeeze boxes and get them all loaded ...

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: wlisk
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 10:31 AM

We are not sure of our plans this year. We sure hope we can work it out to attend. Missed last year for the 1st time in 25 or so years.
Bill & Deanna

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 02:24 PM

Bill and Deanna -

AND THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE ABSENCE.

At least I heard "dangit," and "wul' durn" and at least an "oh Gee" or two when we had to pass on the message that ya were missin' last year.

Hope it works out for you to get there. We'll watch for ya.

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 03:42 PM

My brother said he's heard a 'rumour' that this will be the 'last' year....anybody heard anything?

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: wlisk
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 10:39 PM

Yes we are going to be able to make it this year. Our friend's son, Lukas a 17yo banjo picker from Mountain View,AR is coming with us. Looks like we'll cone out on the 1st of Sep and stay for the duration.
Every year there is the rumor that this is Bob's last year of having the festival. I hope it's only a rumor again this year. This is the 35th year. I remember Stuart Mossmnan telling me that he got the idea for the festival after attending the Bean Fest in Mountain View.
And yes I'm bringing the Mossman guitar.
See you'ins in a few weeks!
Anyone heard from GaryT latley? Hope he'll be there too.
Bill

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 10:57 PM

Sorcha

We've heard that rumor several times in the past - as far back as ten years ago at least.

The ol' guy Redford has complained about how much hassle it is, and has tried to recruit his family to take over things; but that doesn't seem to have worked out too well. The "Association" should be well able to run a festival by now, even (especially?) without him - (unless "Rick" quits working for the County); but there are some marketable names and trademarks and such that Redford could probably threaten them with - or demand outrageous license fees for - if they tried.

The main problem with the Association, or any one else local, taking over for Redford is the definite and obvious absence of anyone capable of making a decision and sticking to it.

Some of the local merchants admitted a year or two ago that the festival brings in "a third" or so of their gross each year (some said more), so it would be reasonable for the town to try to keep something going.

It was rumored a couple of years ago that one of the "back East" festivals wanted to buy the "International" championships rights, but didn't want the rest of the festival. At that time, Redford was holding out for a "sale" on an all-or-nothing basis, and was insisting that it all had to stay where it is. No particular indication heard about anyone wanting the regional or state contests, although those probably would be "sellable" on a piecemeal basis.

Most of the regular campers assert that it would take people 10 or 15 years to notice it if there wasn't a festival - - - they'd keep coming in every September until someone told them ... ... and then they'd have to talk about it...

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 11:01 PM

Lisks -

HOO - OOO - RAY!

We'll be lookin' for ya'all.

Just don't park that young vulnerable banjo player too close to the famous "Billigan's Isle."

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 06:30 AM

Uh...that's the "infamous" Billigan's Isle, dear--

Bill and Deanna, that's definitely good news. Will look forward to seeing y'all there!

Haven't heard anything from Gary T. I've still got his email addy, though, and will send him a note to ask. We missed him last year; it's always a lot of fun to see what long, involved ballad he's dug out of the DT this year! Where else would we have heard "Frog Kissin'"? A prodigious memory and a gorgeous voice: hope he can make it, and our friend Lynn from those parts, too.

Whoo-ee!!! Gettin' closer all the time...Sorcha, are you sure you can't stop by for a day or two at least? All the rest of y'all, come and visit--it's fun, educational, musical, expensive, and the weather is just like going to the Tropics! What more could you possibly want?

I notice my "arrival time" at Winfield keeps sliding out a little further all the time. Maybe I'll just sneak in and surprise him one evening before he expects me...[grin]

Lin

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 01:14 AM

OK, guess I need to call Aunt Paulette, works for Mr Bob.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 09:07 PM

YEAH! That's the spirit, Sorcha! Come help us all terrorize the Town of Winfield for the 35th year!

Lin

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 10:16 PM

I wish...NO money.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 10:18 PM

As always, I know it'll be a fine time for all. Once again, my best to everyone. Fond memories are abundant for me from all the years I was a part of it!!---Art

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: wlisk
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 11:10 PM

I remember seeing you on stage there Art. Terrific memories for me too! Thanks!
Bill Lisk

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Al
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 12:10 AM

Al and Barbara will be there from 9/9 'till the end at camp NOWHERE.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 02:50 AM

Is Camp Nowhere anywhere near Camp Next to Nowhere?

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 12:41 PM

Art,

You're ALWAYS a part of Winfield. And one or two of your songs are nearly always floating in the air around our camp. Scary, huh?

Hey, everybody--as usual, you're all invited by The Watering Hole for an electric cherry, some music and all the B.S. you can handle!
Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Lin

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Al
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 12:57 AM

Yup,
NEXT TO NOWHERE is next to NOWHERE. And NOWHERE isn't next to anywhere, since the fairgrounds end there.
Al

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 12:40 PM

OK then Al, that gives us a pretty good idea of where y'er at. That's just about where I found the two Armadillos rootin' around when the water was up a bit a couple of days before the lineup 3 yrs ago. (First ones I'd ever seen that weren't flat.)

Theoretically I calculate that I could claim to be "legal" if I got there tomorrow morning, but I'm still tryin' to get organized so it may be a couple of days before I get the wagon rollin'. My packing is pretty well organized, but I've run into an inordinate number of things that had to be "fixed" before they could be packed this year. I may have to go back to my old habit of starting the get-ready in March like I did when we tented, instead of waiting to June like I did this year.

Weather reports indicate a possibility of some slightly cooler conditions, but they're not goin' out on any skinny limbs about it. We're still in the upper 90s F (~35+ C for the Euros). I usually use the "sit time" to do all the overdue restringing and adjusting on my instruments, and I've got 2 mando bridges that need some rework and an old squeeze box that needs some pretty major key work; so it would be nice to be able to do it out under the awning without stickin' to the small parts.

Nearby areas have been having some pretty heavy but widely scattered rain, but none in either the Wichita area (where I am) or at Winfield (or upstream from Winfield).

Lin just took off for Texas for a family visit, so she'll be computerless probably until after I leave for the WVA parking lot. She probably won't join me there until Lineup time (02 SEP).

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 02:05 PM

A refresh to keep the thread up until I get out of town.

Local people are beginning to realize it's about time to think about getting ready, so I've had a few calls. Most of our camp's "regulars" have either checked in or have told on each other, so it looks like our group will be much the same as always.

I haven't finished packing, but the trailer and van are both full so I decided to just quit putting stuff in. (It's only about 90 miles round trip to run home for what I forget, I guess.)

Had to mow the lawn before I leave town, but that's done now. Scratching in the sofa to see if I can find enough loose change for half a week worth of groceries to hold me until the monthly welfare check arrives, but if I get lucky on the loose change - and don't fall asleep and drown in the shower - I likely will try to go nap at the campground beginning sometime late today or tomorrow.

(Peace and quiet, and a place to practice without all that screaming and hollerin' from the neighbors.)

See all you lucky ones later, down at Winfield KS - U.S.A.

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Gary T
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 02:23 AM

Hi, gang! We'll be coming this year, so John, you'll see us there unless we see you - oops, I mean we look forward to seeing all of you.

Bill and Deanna, I'm sorry to scold you in public, but how anyone could miss last year like you did is just beyond me. Have you no shame?

Anyhow, having missed last year, I now have two years worth of new songs - enough to make your head spin like Linda Blair on speed. You'll have to bring your own pea soup, though.

Al and Barb, we'll be happy to make the trek to NOWHERE (are you in the middle of it?) as long as you promise not to wear those funny noses.

Sorcha, it's simple: use your contacts to "work" at the festival, thus garnering a free weekend ticket; convince your employer that your performing some necessary field work/research/sales calls, requiring a week off with an expense account; and win the lottery. Seriously, though, it was nice to meet you a few years ago, and would be nice to see you again.

Speaking of pea soup, what's the difference between roast beef and pea soup?

It'll be great to see everyone. I'm getting pumped!

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 04:09 AM

Gary T -

It's about time you let us know something. We've been wanderin' around worrying about "Gee, I wonder if..." for weeks.

I'm definitely "pumped," but once again the rules got changed:

I actually went to Winfield on Saturday (19 AUG) with the intention of catching the last couple of days of the "Kansas and Oklahoma Antique Steam and Gas Engine Association Meet," and then remaining as a "public camper" for the few days before WVA took over the grounds. I did that two years ago and had a great time (compared to what I expected, perhaps, but still great) at the Antique show.

Unfortunately some one (apparently one person) associated with the Antique Assn decided that a bit of extortion would be a fine idea. Since the Antiquers "leased the exclusive use of the fairgrounds" for their show, they added on 4 days after the show closes and announced that it would cost $100 per night for anyone camping during those four days.

Needless to say, I drove back to Wichita and skipped seeing any old tractors. Since my tow vehicle blew an Air Conditioner Clutch on the way back, I guess I'll need the four days to get repairs anyhow. (I could get by without the AC in the van, but if the pulley falls off - as it will without the repair - I blow an engine.)

(It'll also give me a chance to look back at my photos from a couple of years ago. The only funny nose ... ... I remember was ... ...)

I do feel rather sorry for the half dozen people who usually come in at about this time from several hundred miles away. There are only a few decent alternate camping places within reasonable distance of Winfield, and they're pretty much filled with "end of season" recreational campers.

That sad tale being told, I should be at the WVA grounds sometime fairly early on Sept 24, barring additional happenings.

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 24 Aug 06 - 01:41 AM

The saga continues:

No way to get the Air Conditioner clutch on my tow vehicle repaired (except by a total replacement of the system offered by one shop at ~$1,800, which I declined). I have applied three paper clips and a bungee cord to hold the errant pressure plate free of the serpentine pulley and if it holds I should be able to get there in peace and quiet. If it doesn't hold, it'll make a little noise, but with my old truck I might not notice.

The delay wasn't wasted, as the floor in the closet in our camp trailer collapsed sometime Monday morning, so I've been busily redesigning and resurrecting bits of broken wood - with most of the supports about 30 inches deep and the only access through a 3" wide slot where a drawer fell out. (Did anyone else ever try to drive screws at arms length with a 14" hemostat? Good grip, but scant torsional capacity.)

The scanty published information indicates that the campground is available as of midnight. As it's now 00:39 in the morning, and I haven't left home, with about an hours drive and a short grocery stop. I estimate approximately 40 "campers" will be there by the time I arrive. A couple of people from my regular group have indicated they intend to pull in by around 06:00 to 08:00.

If past years are a good indication, there should be around 180 to 200 "campers" there by about noon on Saturday. (Note the "" around "campers" as only about a half dozen of us will actually be camping there. The majority of the early arrivals just dump a vehicle and go home until lineup on 02 SEP. I need a little sleep, and a lot of practice before the festival gets fired up, so I'm ready for a little quite camp time.

Since there should be about 1,800 camp tickets sold by the time the Fest starts, the early arrivals are really just a drop in the bucket.

IF there are no "new rules" to screw things up, I'll be camped at Winfield by early this morning, and away from my computer until it's all over 17 SEP - and until I've recovered sufficiently to be at least "incoherent in my usual ways."

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST,wlisk
Date: 29 Aug 06 - 01:32 PM

Hey Gary, we look forward to playing twice as many tunes this year too! We're leaving Fri morning. See you'ins soon.
Bill

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Al
Date: 29 Aug 06 - 04:44 PM

Gary, I'm one apple short of a pie, so the nose comment seems alien to me. Or, was that a cheesy reference to something else?
Al

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Gary T
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 01:09 AM

I dunno, Al, I seem to have spaced out on it. Rats!

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Al
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 11:52 AM

Me too, Gary. I feel like I'm chasing my tail. Missed your meaning by a whisker. I'm caught in a trap and I can't get out. Cat's got my tongue, so, enough of this squeaking by.
Eek,
Al

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 12:56 PM

WOW! A whole netfull of Mudcatters will be at Winfield--YAY!

I'm on my way there this afternoon to join John in line-up.

Gary, I'll bring the tape recorder; John's got the camera. Who knows what excitement lurks at the band scramble this year!? (I take it back, I liked the ears, too.) For those who have no earthly idea what the hey Gary and Al and I are talking about, check this out: click here

Bill, we look forward to HEARING you play twice as many songs, too.

Al, I've got Tillamook in the fridge just for you.

I am SO ready for vacation! See all of you there!

Lin

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST,Phil
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 01:30 PM

Lin -
Michelle and I will be there again as well. We will be visiting relatives in town for the first part of the week and then we've been promised a cot somewhere on the grounds for the rest of the week. Tell John howdy for us when you get there. We'll see in about two weeks.
- Phil

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 04:12 PM

NEWS: Lin arrived safely, if dragging her ... a bit later than I'd hoped. All worked out well as she acted lost, so they let her park next to me, and as a random trick of WVA fate, we have consecutive numbers for the mad Landrush when we get to go fight over camping space in about a week.

Today was the (first) day of the official "number assignment" for who gets to go through the gate first to pick the good spots, and so far as I could determine, by the time I left the campground at about 2:00 PM everyone present had their number (or the WVA had everybody's number, if you choose.)

Nothing much to do except sit back and play music until the festival starts, when we can get down to seriously playing music.

I'm back briefly at home to get all the ... on Lin's list of things to bring that got "forgot" in her wild passion to get there, and to make a few repairs of things that "happened" while I was getting in line the past week. (Minor stuff like she broke my computer and the garage door, but nothing that will take long to get in order.)

I should be back on the road to Winfield within an hour.

See y'all there.

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST,FreeRange James
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 11:22 AM

John, I dragged the antique Coleman camper down last weekend with Jean, and saw Linn zipping along in her electric limo! She pointed out where you are parked, and mentioned something about how you had to go back for a few forgotten items. Again.

   I ran across young Tim and Tall Paul, but was unarmed, so we just had a couple of brews, and met Dave of the Chicken Train camped next to him. Sweet campers!

   Gary, glad to see your planning a visit, hope you stop by the Water Hole gang's camp to sing a few. It would be wonderful to hear the Old Dun Cow and Finnegan's Wake again!

   John, I'll hunt you up on Wednesday coming, nice to know that your there where you need to be!

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST,newguy
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 12:40 PM

Can a first-timer show up on Wednesday and still expect to find a place to tent camp onsite for the festival?

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Kaleea
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 01:44 PM

Guest newguy, just show up, & several thousand of your best jammin' buddies (whom you haven't met yet) will be happy to point to that spot over yonder for you!
Sadly, I will, again, miss the fest since I moved out to San Diego one year ago to take care of my little dickens. However, the little dickens herself--my 22 month old little great neice--& I sing, grin & pick one of several instruments each day every day, often along to one of Henry's Carp Camp CDs. Oh, how I miss the WVA!
I ran across my "Bluegrass Police" badge just the other day, as I was noticing that my little dickens was pulling things out of drawers faster than I could put them back! After frequently pickin' at the Carp Camp, across the way from & sometimes at the Metaphysical Camp, I'll endeavor to use their techniques to Astrotravel during my sleep from San Diego to Winfield for a visit. Or, perhaps I could ask Elvis to swing by & transport me there for a few hours. I'll see you in my dreams!

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 01:46 PM

New guy, I wouldn't hold out a lot of hope for a campsite, esp not for a very big tent. You might find space for a very small dome or pup tent but when 20,000 people descend on the fairgrounds....good luck.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST,Sharon G
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 02:52 PM

I haven't been to Winfield in quite a while (about 7 or 8 years I think) but remember it fondly. Two good friends are going this year for the first time- about to be initiated into Carp Camp... Two of us who can't go are going to sit home and play tunes anyway and have a consolation jam.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST,(guest) noah musser
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 12:10 PM

Guest newguy,

There will be quite a few spaces left on Wednesday, but the "good ones" will all be gone. I'd head north of the highway in walnut grove.

My frist year we went on (gasp) the Friday of the festival, and found a spot with no shade and a long hike from main festival. It wasn't horrible, but we go a whole week earlier now, just to get our new better favorite spot.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST,newguy
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 11:03 AM

Thanks Kaleea and Noah. I was ready to forget about going after reading Sorcha. It was enough trouble to get off work Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There's no way I can get off a week early. I just need a place to park the pickup, set up a small dome tent and dining fly and I'll be ready to pick and grin. Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Arkie
Date: 09 Sep 06 - 09:15 AM

The Walnut Valley Festival has been going longer than the Bean Fest in Mountain View.   Stu Mossman had been coming to the Arkansas Folk Festival in Mountain View long before Bean Fest started up and that may have been the inspiration for the festival. The Winfield folk helped the Folk Centr in Mountain View start the Southern Regional Dulcimer Contests and from that grew the Dulcimer Jamboree which is now one of the Folk Center's major events.   There will be quite a few folk from Mountain View at Winfield this year, unfortunately, I'll not be one of them.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Sep 06 - 03:32 PM

We are on our third year of attending WVF but are bringing our new 20 foot travel trailer for he first time this year. It will be our inaugural trip.

We will be arriving early Thursday AM, September 14. Will we still be able to find a spot to park our trailer and truck? What are the chances of getting a hookup?

Any advice you can offer will be greatfully received.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 03:37 PM

GUEST WITH THE NEW TRAILER

"Camper Density" seems a bit lower than at this time in recent prior years, and there are still plenty of "parking" places. Since the festival "officially" starts in a couple of days, a fairly large number of incoming may be expected, so finding a spot gets increasingly difficult as time passes.

Electrical hookups in the Pecan Grove were of course all gone the first day of landrush. I haven't been into the Walnut Grove enought to tell if there are still a few hookups, but it is **possible you might find one there.

By Thursday you will have trouble finding any place with shade, but there are plenty of friendly canopies and camper awnings to provide places to retreat from the heat if it gets too severe. Thus far the heat's been reasonably tolerable.

Weather has been unusually good thus far. I sat in rain every night for the first week in pre-lineup, but we've had only very minor sprinkles since. Last night brought an "intense" rain lasting about a half hour, but didn't actually deposit much moisture, although humidity was high early today. Fortunately no wind of significance in that one. Forecast is for somewhat cooler, but of course includes possibility of "scattered showers."

Early pickin' parties have been fairly numerous, and we've found a few new groups to like.

We're back in Wichita for Lin to replenish her med supplies and to do a bit of laundry, but hopefully will be outa here within an hour or two to get back to camp. Her new "mobility device" is keeping her in wide circulation - and is keeping me close to camp mostly charging batteries. We seem to have gone "electric" in a pretty big way this year since they've decided that bicycles, scooters, golf carts and other such must have "lights" if used at night (when everything fun goes on) and for our primitive equipage that means a separate rechargeable battery for each bulb - and often a separate charger for each battery.

** If you're not able to get a hookup, you won't be able to use Air Conditioning of course; but you can be reasonably assured there will be plenty of folk willing to assist with battery recharges if needed to keep your DC accessories running, although you might have to lug the battery to the charger in an area where there are hookups. Some of the areas remaining are a fair distance from a water pipe, so depending on where you land you may need to depend on on-board water. (One of the reasons lots of camp groups "pool the dishwashing."

See ya there. (We're in the Pecan Grove, South side of the main loop, and lots of people refer to us as "Thumper" - the brand name on our somewhat rare trailer.)

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 03:51 PM

Have a wonderful time, and please let us know how our friend Jeremy Stephens does in the banjo contest. (He blew us all away at the Charlie Poole festival and again at CLifftop 2006)
   Wish I were there. . .

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 04:45 PM

As usual, my SO tends to (gasp) exaggerate just a little. He hasn't spent QUITE all his time charging batteries, but he has put in a good deal of "tinker time" fixing various things he thought really needed to be fixed. He now has me trained to automatically put the charger on my electric scooter when I pull into camp, so that's one less he has to worry about!

Pete, we'll let you know if your friend Jeremy wins or places in the banjo contest, but we probably won't attend the contest ourselves, as it's being held on Sunday, and that's usually tear-down day for us. Surely do wish him good luck, though!

Kaleea and Sharon, the Carp Camp is up and running nearly full blast. Gestapomeister Dave has been there from the get-go and the Irish songs are flying thick and fast. Should we mention your names in vain to anyone there?

The Fiddle Fest is strong this year, too. Last night they had somewhere around 15 fiddlers, plus standup bass, dulcimers, a couple of guitars, and even some spoons. Plus lots of good songs.

The Chick Pick in the Pecan Grove was a blast--I heard three new songs I want to learn, and met about 20 ladies for tea, cookies, and no-testosterone music. The rule is, if you're male, you can only play music if you wear a skirt...this year, nobody showed up to play in a dress, although Desiree' did drop by for a few minutes. The ladies from Frontporch.com were there to record, and said they plan to play the recordings after the festival as well so we'll all get to hear them too.

Laundry's done; gotta get back--we're sure to be missing something!

Newguy and Guest With New Trailer, we sure hope you make it okay and find a place to lay your weary bones when you get there. Come by the Water Hole Camp if you can to say hello. You can see our big American Flag hanging over camp from nearly everywhere in the Pecan Grove. See y'all there!

Lin (who is MUCH enjoying her increased mobility this year)

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 08:43 PM

Yep, I'll be there, but not 'til Friday morning, with a tent. Try the Walnut Grove, you think? How far from your vehicle do you have to hike to pitch your tent, by the way? I don't need no new-fangled electricity (though a close-by shower would be nice).

I'll wear my Mudcat Badge and look for the BIG AMERICAN FLAG in the pecan grove!

LEJ
St Louie Contingent

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Sorcha
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 09:54 PM

LEJ!! Since when are you St. Louie??? You've abandoned me!!!!

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 11:03 PM

Been in STL for two years, but I do get to Colo and Wyoming pretty often. Maybe I'll see you at the Getaway?

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST,FreeRange James
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 12:22 AM

LEJ, good luck to you this year. The Walnut Grove looked pretty packed to me on Sunday, seemed a bit more dense than the Pecan Grove.

The showers are east of the grandstand, at the southern end, and they were needing a part to keep them all up and running, but no lines yet during the midday. Down to half strength but they expanded to two good sized trailers for the showers. $3 a pop, soap and shampoo available for two bits. I forgot to pack a towel, but the place is exposed to a bit of wind, dried quickly in t-shirt/shorts.

Lots of 'sunny' spots in the prairie area near the showers, but water and shade would be the trade off. Spend the hottest part of the day listening to jamming in the 'pavillions' (plastic tarp garages on poles) for shade, and the camping experience is more tolerable for tentdwelling. Bring a canteen, and carry a chair with you was my plan during my tenting years, before middle age crept up and mauled me.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 07:06 PM

What a hoot! Byron Berline and his group were terrific, as were the Wilders, the Hot Strings, and Cadillac Sky. More pickers walking around on Pecan Street at 2 AM than you could shake a stick at. We sure had a ball!

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 07:23 PM

LEJ - 2 AM??????. Are you "amateur" or "elderly?"

Most nights in the Pecan Grove I saw 4 AM before my elderly bod' gave out, and at least one 06:30 - meeting the traditional "see at least one sunrise," but just barely.

Our departure from Winfield was delayed a bit from our usual Sunday morning habit due to Lin's injection of a bit of drama. A low sugar episode required a trip to the emergency room at 03:30 Sunday morning; but she was treated well and claims to be fully recovered. We stayed over Sunday night to allow a more leisurely packing, and came back to Wichita Monday afternoon.

Lin has made rather rash promises to a few people about getting some photos up at our Waterhole website "real soon;" but I don't think she understands fully how much "Photoshopping" goes into turning what we get out of our totally inadequate digital cameras into visible images (especially for shots on the street at night). We'll try to get a link up as soon as something actually appears.

Now if I can just get unpacked in time to start packing for next year ....

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 07:32 PM

John, frankly I'm a little of both.

Made 4:30 Saturday morning, and about 3:30 Sunday morning, when the storm sent us into our tent.

Look forward to the photos.

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 11:00 PM

LEJ - Same here. I still spend the time enjoying; but I tend to pick places a lot closer to the home camp to do it, for the most part.

We have made a rough first pass on most of this year's snapshots to see which ones actually are pictures and which ones are just "camera (a.k.a. "operator") failures," but it will take a while to get them sorted.

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 12:45 AM

LEJ:

Glad you made the Festival, and sure wish I could have met you in 3D! Did you make it by the Water Hole at all? What with all the street stompers and the Biergarten Camp setting up their "Stage Four and Three-Quarters" right next door, their was usually music and activity until the wee hours in camp.

I had a blast with my new electric scooter--saw camps and places in both Groves I didn't know were there. Visited the Fiddle Fest a couple of times, and the Carp Camp and the Thistle Dew crew two or three evenings. Learned three new songs to try to perfect for next year and met lots of new friends and neighbors. Can hardly wait until next Sept. to see them again when we Come Home to Winfield.

Was great to see all the 'Catters: Phil and Michele, Gary and Karen, Bill and Deanna, Al and Barbara (at least we think we saw them on Stage Five...I went Nowhere a few times trying to locate them, to no avail). Gary, thank you for your rendition of "Old Dun Cow" and "You Don't Know Me." And congratulations on being (once again!) part of the 1st-place band at the Rat Camp Band Scramble.

So...we'll meet again next year, right? Only 363 days until Walnut Valley Festival 2007!

Lin

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 12:33 AM

We finally made it home.

Michelle crashed around midnight on Saturday. After that I took food to her cousin who was working the gate on the 14th street bridge and stayed there talking with migrating musicians until the weather hit. We did family stuff on Sunday then hit the road Monday (it's nice having family in Winfield -- washers and dryers, the occasional homecooked meal,and what Michelle calls a proper bath).

My favorite on the "official" stages was the set that the Greencards and various guests played on Friday night. It was fun watching pickers of that caliber push one another.
- Phil

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 01:14 AM

Lin

I made a note about where your camp was, stuck it in my guitar case, then took the other guitar....ooops. Sorry I missed all of you.

LEJ

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 01:19 PM

Phil--Glad you two made it home okay. And yes, I can certainly relate to Michele's love of having a place for a "proper bath". While we have a shower in the camper, it's too small to really feel like you're clean, and the *@m**! shower curtain is ALWAYS wrapped around your posterior!

LEJ: Next time bring BOTH guitars--you know you want to. Hopefully, we'll see you next year.

Sure had a good time. New pictures up on the website this weekend, I hope.

Lin

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 09:53 PM

It's always great to look forward to these threads and hear these tales of the festival. I can sort of be there in my mind with y'all.

Say, does Bob Redford know about Mudcat? I'd think he would enjoy popping into threads like this one!?

Say, is anybody out there in touch with Leota Coats? Her late husband, Art, was the mainstay of those early festivals---and the one responsible for bringing me there in the 1970s. It's hard to believe, but I did perform at twelve of 'em----including the year they tried doing TWO festivals---the second one being in June. It only happened that one time I think?!

All the best to all the Winfield folks!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Gary T
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 10:35 PM

Art, I recall there being a Spring Fling in May of '76 (which I missed - my first time was that fall) and a June Jamboree in '78.

Lin and Jon, and Deanna and Bill, it was great to see all of you. Lonesome EJ, and Phil and Michelle, sorry I missed you.

We were blown away by the David Munnelly band. Three minutes of Irish instrumental music is normally a year's supply for my taste. But these guys - they infuse it with a richness and verve that makes it a whole new ballgame. And then there's the Irish swing music they do. And the awesome fiddler. And the amazing dancer. Etc. Wow!

Is it next year yet?

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 12:03 AM

Art, hope you enjoy all the pictures on our site, as well as the ones from other campsites that Don Shorock posts on his "Virtual Winfield" pages. (It's going to be a few days before we get any new ones up!)

I doubt Mr. Redford knows about Mudcat. He hasn't been seen too much around the festival in the last few years; don't know if that's from health problems, or if the Festival's just at the point where he doesn't feel he needs to supervise everything.

Gary, it isn't next year yet, but it is only 363 days to Winfield 2007. See ya there!

Lin

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 03:47 AM

That's 362 (note the passing of midnight in Kansas 1 hour after mudcat time) days until the Festival starts officially, but only about 355 days until the next Landrush to get the good camping spots. Which means it's only about 348 days until the next lineup when we can get our "landrush position" and only around 334 days until we can go down and camp in the County RV park to be in position for lineup.

Gosh - Golly - Gee but it's right upon us. I'd better start packing now or I'll never get everything ready in time....

Er, ... uh, ... well, ... ... ... maybe I should finish unpacking first so I can see what we broke, wore out, or found out didn't work ...

Now where did I put that list of all the things we're gonna do better next year ? ? ? ? ?

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 23 Sep 06 - 05:10 PM

We talked with David Munnelly for a while at one of the "meet and greets". He's already booked again for next year and says he will be bringing a 7 piece band plus singers and the tap dancing dude.

They were fun to watch last year, too. The first time we saw them was on a small stage late in the afternoon -- probably not more than a couple dozen of us. The crowds swelled to a couple thousand by the weekend more folks arrived for the festival and word got around about how much fun the Munnelly band is.
- Phil

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 27 Sep 06 - 11:00 PM

Lin informs me that our PICTURES ARE UP at our WVA Camps Smugmug Photo Gallery [http://waterhole.smugmug.com/].

She's split them into seven separate "galleries," all showing "2006" in the titles.

I haven't looked at them all yet, so you're welcome to join me to see what fascinating commentaries she's added to explain what's going on in the photos (almost like as if we knew?).

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 10:31 PM

Just got around to downloading Winfield pictures from my camera and put some of them at the URL below. - Phil

http://home.comcast.net/~phil_doubleu/index.htm

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 01:14 AM

Great pictures, Phil.

If I'd get me a camera with an actual lens on it do you suppose I could get some like those?

John

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 01:14 AM

Fine shots! Thanks for those.

Art

Subject: RE: Winfield (35th Annual) 2006 WVA Festival
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 01:29 AM

Uncle Phil--

Awesome pictures! I think among you, John, and me, we pretty well covered the Festival this year, don't you?

Thanks much for posting them--they made me remember what the grandstand looks like in action (it's been 10 years since I've seen it that way, I think. Too much pickin' in the Grove!)

Lin, looking forward to the 36th.