Subject: Winfield '99
From:
j0_77
Date: 18 Sep 99 - 03:32 PM
It's proper title 'Walnut Valley Folk Festival' ...hmmm just as I expected, it 'is' a very big festival again. The weather is a mixed bag some sunshine some overcast skies but so far no rain. The size of the gathering makes it a little irksome to get to see everything. Perhaps that could be the price you've to pay for such diversity, more on this point later. Providing services for the 'phoaks' is quite an undertaking, security, water-conveniences etc, explains why the tickets are 50-70 bucks. The City Police provide support in the camp ground which makes some 'phoaks' a little edgy. Patrol Cars drive through the Camp grounds on a fairly regular basis, a good idea especialy at night. These guys are polite and friendly so I was happy to see them there. Vendors. Very good. Every one had a great selection and some 'mighty' instruments. I especialy liked the Deering Banjo display, they offer a beginners instrument. I tried one and loved it. Lot of guys just visitin and pickin - fair distribution of ages - seems to me there are more teens playing folk :) Can't say I am surprised listening to some of the stuff on Radio. Same reason I took to folk music :) Artists. Great selection and if into the medium of each or all, stages seating etc very good. A lot of people go there just to jamm, again the variety is enormous. Wmndering about with my old 1920's Melodian I managed to get into several jamms with all kinds of instruments. The most fun was being invited into a string bash with Banjo and Dulcimers. Just a little taste of what can be found for an 'odd' jammer like me :) 1 Size and cost. First a casual day visitor ticket that is tooo high, way too high. I can see the need to charge 50 bucks for the 4 days with camping -which incidently is not the case. Camping is extra. But curious walkins who may just stay for a couple of hours. Hey look at the Woody Festival Okemah OK July 14th. If they can do it so can WV. 2 Folk music is free or ought to be and if people want to meet and pick so be it, look at Maggie Valley Tenn - that was to begin a great place, just jammin and no commercial stuff. Now there is nothing else there but commercial stuff and no picking! 3 My impression of jammers at WV this year was they did not care about the price only the music. Funny thing I know a lot of very good pickers who could not afford the day ticket let alone the weekend one. In a way Winfield is kicking it's own butt. 4 I may go back this evening(last night stayed up tooo late again)and stay over till tomorrow. One more little diversion which is almost inevitable in a very large festival, finding things to keep children amused while Ma and Pa pick, visit and jamm. I could not help but notice elementary school age kids hanging out even at 9 - 10 pm. They had no interest in the music but boy they were havin a ball watching the adults. It must be an amazin experience for the lil guys. But then there are other things kids can do. 5 Fences! Why all the high fences? Why all the needless long long walks to and from the camping ground to the stage areas? A couple of years ago I recall the crowd simply pulled down the fences, this year there is a surplus of security so it looks like the fences will stay. They are ugly and out of place at a folk festival. 6 Despite all these lil irks, it is still worth checking out. Rating - 7 out of 10 -it is a big unertaking but some bad planning It could be better! On till Sunday Evening.
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sj
