Walnut Valley 2002

Subject: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Sorcha
Date: 16 Jul 02 - 05:04 PM

It's time to start thinking about Winfield, friends. WE HAVE A PLAN!! Daughter Kate and I are going, just the two of us, and we are going to camp!!!! This is really exciting as we have wanted to camp for years, but couldn't get there early enough to snag a space. We still can't get there before Wednesday, but hopefully will have enough friends already there to be able to set up a tent. Click for info: Walnut Valley Festival. Oh, this is in Kansas, US

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 17 Jul 02 - 05:00 PM

I plan on going as well. Been there pretty much every year for the last fourteen or so (once even flying back from a job onm Korea for it, only to turn around and head back after the week of unwinding). Missed last year ... transportation difficulties aroiugn that time. :-(

Camping is the way to go. Don't forget to bring your instrument(s), and plan on staying up all night pickin' and grinnin'. . . .

Cheers,

-- Arne Langsetmo

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Jul 02 - 05:11 PM

*sigh*..I will just wish again...after attending the first 10-12 festivals, and going back for 2 more, I now find it difficult to travel that time of year...but, boy do I have the memories!

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Jul 02 - 05:57 PM

Note that on the first page at Sorcha's post, "schedule" and "performers" are in small print.

The "real" schedule is -

Sunday, Sept 8, we'll get in line to get into the campground. If the weather's nice, we'll open up the trailer, but everything stays hooked up for travel. Pickin', gossip, and meeting new folks for a few days.

Thursday, Sept 12, the official "Land Rush" where everybody has to drive through the front gate, get wristbands and camp permits, and "rush" to get their favorite spot in the campground. This is only important if you have a large camper - or a fairly large group that likes to camp together. It's only really important if you want/need one of the 600 odd electrical hookups.

Pickin' and partyin' starts as soon as camp is set up.

Thursday, Sept 19, a rumor will circulate that some "performers" have arrived, but nobody will notice much.

Sometime Friday or Saturday, someone will ask if "anybody's going to hear (somebody great)," which will get a "If the jam breaks up, we might."

Sunday, Sept 22, while hooking up to pull out, somebody will find one of the schedules that's ready to trash, and will notice that "Hey, (somebody great) was here -- we should have gone to see them.," which gets - "well, there's always next year. Maybe we'll be better organized."

[Actually, there are some really good acts, and we do go to the "grandstand" occasionally - for the chance to meet the performers. I actually listened to a performance once 4 years ago, and I've got a couple I'd really like to hear this year - if I get "organized".]

John

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 17 Jul 02 - 11:44 PM

Wish we were going. Our friends Henri's Notions are on the bill (Website Here). Big breakthrough for them. Also, it's been five years since my old friend Allen Shadd won the flatpicking contest so he's eligible to compete again this year. He'll win it again. The only person who could beat him is Cody Kilby & Cody can't compete again until next year.

How come they had to put Kansas so damned far away from Florida?

Bruce

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Sorcha
Date: 17 Jul 02 - 11:52 PM

John in Kansas--you are on our list of friends to save us a spot for our tent.....will PM details closer to the time. NO WAY can we get there for the Land Rush.

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: GUEST,Al
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 01:03 AM

I'll be there too. First time for me and my wife Barbara. We have a friend that lives near there and has been bugging us to go for years. We should be primed, having recently returned from Clifftop. Al

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: GUEST,Al
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 01:05 AM

So, Sorcha, how about a tune? Al

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 05:35 AM

But Sorch - I thought you were a Walnutter, and we're pecaneers.

There's never any guarantees about getting where you want, but there's always room to squeeze in another tent. Let us know about your plans - before we leave our computers at home (Sept 8).

If you check the map of the campgrounds that's on the site you posted, in the loop where it says "pecan grove" there's a numeral "7". We usually try to be halfway between it and the road - or fill the space between 'em, if all of our guys show up.

John

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 11:54 AM

John, I am not finding a campground map at the site, but I know about where you will be. Banner says, "Jig Is Up", right? We will probably arrive either Wed.evening or Thurs.morning. The tent we are bringing is about 8'x 16' with no external guy ropes. I am not planning on bringing much else--maybe a couple folding chairs and a small cooler. The fiddle, of course!

There is another group we could maybe camp with if you guys fill up. Anybody heard from GaryT and his crew yet?

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 11:58 AM

We're usually in the Pecan Grove a ways back of "Lost at C" (and to the right) coming from the festival grounds (but before the other road). My Kansas buddies usually drive a primer-grey mini-school-bus (but it's on it's last legs, and may not make it). If you see a HD parked on a large metal case/stand, that would be me.

Cheers,

-- Arne Langsetmo

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 12:58 PM

Sorcha -

You've got our banner right, except that sometimes it says "the jug is up" too. We'll try to get it where it can be seen from the road - but parking's a hassle and it usually gets buried when the campground starts filling up.

Just in case someone else might want a reference: on the home page you linked with your clicky - down at the bottom of the page click on "site map."

On the site map page, scroll down to paragraph "X" and click on "B - overall map of fairgrounds." It's a pretty crude map, but there are enough "features" that you can give pretty accurate locations if you're creative.

See ya there.

John

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Sorcha
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 06:43 PM

OK, finally found it--they really bury that one, don't they? Who is going to think to scroll down to Site Map when there is a link to "Maps" that only has the "get to Winfield" map? Maybe I should send a note to the Webmaster......

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 08:06 PM

As the anticipation builds, it is assumed that the faithful will look at everything on the site - and make the properly mystic readings of the inscrutibly hidden meanings. At least that's the best explanation I've come up with for their whole "information" program.

Somewhere, buried in there, there should be a bunch of links to "camps" that have their own websites. Some pretty bizarre stuff to be found.

John

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Kaleea
Date: 18 Jul 02 - 11:27 PM

My old rig will be in line in advance, then I'll be down for the Landrush & stay till my favs play on Sunday. This year, I'm gonna hear Tommy E. if I have to go to London & paddle us both across the atlantic to the shores of Amerikay!! I spend much of the week before the fest begins on walkabout--there is just so much music & so many camps that I can never get to all of 'em! Then about wee:o'clock I head over the the Carp Camp to play a few tunes with a hundred or two of my closest friends. Nothing like a little "Harmonium" at a couple o'clocks in the am. Not to mention all the usual activities like the Chocolate Party & hitting the tee shirt barn & the tie die vendor(s) when they first open to get the best deals! I can almost smell the smoke of the campfires already . . .or is it the bug spray. . ., or maybe the pecan grove's "Eau de Herb"? Kaleea

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Sorcha
Date: 19 Jul 02 - 12:27 AM

Kaleea!! Where will you be camping? This is looking like a Major MudGather........please get in touch once you are there, OK?

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Art Thieme
Date: 19 Jul 02 - 01:13 AM

Folks,

Is that Mexican restaurant in Ark City any better now than it was in '79???

It always reminded me of the famous old wise saying my old uncle was so fond of uttering, "Never buy fresh fish from a truck with Oklahoma plates!"

Give my best wishes to B. Redford, Mike Flynn and Don Koke --- and the ghost of old Art Coats. We did have some fine times in Winfield for a slew o' years. Wish I could be there with you in the grandstand at Stage One---or inside back o' Stage Three just to cool off some.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 29 Jul 02 - 03:24 AM

I'm starting to get antsy already, and we haven't even cranked up the camper to let out the Winfield smell from last year yet! This has been a tough year for our family, and we're definitely in line for some fun, recreation, great music, and meeting 'Catters and other nice folks. Hope to goodness it isn't 102 degrees in the shade again this year! (Take the BIG beer cooler...)

Art, I wish I'd known about Winfield when you were a regular there. I met John in 1992, he took me to the 1993 Festival, and I was hooked. He still claims I only married him because he was willing to drive across country every year to go. (We lived in Seattle at the time--4,000 miles we drove for three years until we moved back here--and it was worth it.) I'll admit that had something to do with my marrying him, but there were a couple of other reasons too.

So--we've admitted to being Pecaneers, and I know that's where GaryT camped last year. Who else likes to camp on the wild side? (Parents in the Walnut Grove used to threaten their misbehaving children with the people from the Pecan Grove...with good reason!)

Although John and I really don't go to many performances, there are some we make a special effort to see. I know I'll be somewhere in the bleachers at Stage I when Mike Cross plays, not to mention on the grass at Stage II for the Story Songs and John McCutcheon.

YEE-HAW!! SEE Y'ALL THERE!

Lin

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Gary T
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 01:19 AM

I've just read that Sorcha and family can't make it. Bummer. We'll hope something changes so you can come after all.

Our (VERY) loosely organized group will be camping in the Pecan Grove, fairly central if possible. We'll arrive on Land Rush Day, luchtime or somewhat later. This year we plan to decorate our camp. Our motif requires electric, which I'm sure will be gone by the time we pull into the festival, so we'll hope to find a camp neighbor willing to share. Either way, we'll put up our colorful (read obnoxious) multihued pennants, for that used car lot ambience.

It may be academic now, but you're welcome to join our camp, Sorcha. Each year, it seems to get a bit harder to save room. The earlier anyone can join us, the more likely it is we'll still have space. It's usually not too big a challenge to fit in a tent, but parking space for a car gets iffier as time goes by. It could get to where you might have to drop off your gear in camp and then leave your car in the Day Parking lot. We'll do our best to save tent and car room for anyone we know is coming.

I plan to host a jam at our camp on both Friday nights at 8:00. We're always happy to meet, visit with, and play with Mudcatters, so drop by anytime. Hope to meet Arne, Al and Barbara, and Kaleea, as well as any others who make it. Look us up.

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 04:01 AM

Never did 'get' Winfield but it could be a great festival!

Too expensive for a meetgreet'n'jam under a tree weekend, but even with a few guests it is still way too high!

If I live that long and can still whack a few Leadbelly tunes I will start me very own 5 dollar special for folks like me who just wanna jam and sing.

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 06:10 AM

Those others planning to get there early may want to note that they have moved up "lineup day" to Sept 7, 8:00 am. It was listed as Sept 8 on the web, but that has been updated. "Land Rush" is still scheduled to start at 8:00 am on Thursday, Sept 12.

Based on last year, there will probably be something like 600 (or more) units lined up in the Pecan Grove to participate in the big Land Rush. An additional couple of hundred will pull in from elsewhere fairly early that day.

Electrical outlets will probably all be taken by about Thursday noon; but water connections are "infinitely expandable," althought the pressure may be pretty low if you're at the end of the hose - in the areas where you can get a hose to a tap, or to someone else's hose.

Parking in the campgrounds isn't usually too much of a problem until about the following Monday or Tuesday, although you may have to persuade someone to shift things around a bit. Once the "latecomers" start to show up it can be virtually impossible to find a parking spot (including when you return from a trip to town).

It's usually fairly easy to find room for another tent, although people who want to camp in a group will have problems anytime after very early in the weekend (early Sept 14), unless they're willing to camp in more remote parts of the grounds. Since by then there won't be any electrical hookups available, that's academic; but you may not have easy water if you're too far out. Some of the more remote areas are nicely shaded - and some are not. (Some of the more remote areas have been known to be underwater if the river's up, too.)

One way or another, there seems to be room for everybody who shows up. And it's all-day all-night music for almost two weeks if you do the whole deal.

John

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Gary T
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 09:18 AM

Well, if I were perfect, they'd name a religion after me.

I read about Sorcha's not being able to come--IN LAST YEAR'S THREAD--and thought it was the latest news for this year. I say to myself, "idjit!"

So Sorcha, we'll look forward to seeing you this year as well!

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 09:36 AM

OK, I'm confoozled......I started a thread about 2002 which is this year.......is that the one you are calling Last Years Thread???

Kate and I really wanted to come and camp this year, (2002) but unless some Nonny Mouse Sugar Daddy coughs up a lot of bucks real fast, it's not going to happen. It was going to be Just Us Girls trip as this is her Sr. year in HS and heaven knows what she will be doing next year...........

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Gary T
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 09:54 AM

Okay, dangit, I gotta read the date in every post. You did post this year about not making it. It was in the thread titled "MEETING AT WINFIELD???" which was started last year but also has some current messages. My apologies for adding to the confusion.

And we'll miss you, dangit.

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 09:58 AM

Ahhh, yes, I did that thing.....I'm the one who didn't realize WW's thread was last year (2001). I knew I wasn't awake enough to post..........glug.

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 02:46 PM

Nah Sorcha - It was some other confused person who brought last year's thread up with a new posting - making it look like a current thread.

Due to issues of personal safety and proximity, I can't name any names - but there will be penalties, as soon as I can think of something appropriate that won't involve bodily harm (to me).

Be warned that if you don't show up, there may be strange people wandering around late at night yelling "Sorcha!" instead of the traditional "Stella."

John

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 03:12 PM

Let 'em yell........I'll be pouting in my beer.

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: harpgirl
Date: 26 Aug 02 - 06:49 PM

Hey all. IF I go this year (it's been 20 years since I was last there) I'll be with my friend Bill from Memphis. He is camping by the "Island of grass" in front of the ditch. That is to the right as you come in the main entrance and about 100 yards north of "carp camp". Go see Bill at any rate. He loves to jam.

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Aug 02 - 04:43 PM

20 years? ..wow..It just hit me that it's been 21 years since I was there! Did I miss anything? The interesting thing to me is that the "land rush" was a VERY small thing 20+years ago...some folks lined up the day before the festival for choice spots, but I can see this has grown!

Now the first year there was no problem..*grin*...in fact, I couldn't get anyone to go with me.(there were fewer than 2000 at the whole thing)..but we had a party for year two..(1971?..72?) Maybe I'll dig out some old slides from them days and see if I can scan them.

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 28 Aug 02 - 12:30 AM

GaryT, is Lynn camping with your crew this year? Hope so, we sure enjoyed visiting with her last year. I think Tim and Paul have learned a couple of new songs in her honor for this year.

Sorcha, sure wish you and your daughter could make it. Next year for sure?

Harpgirl, we'll be sure to try finding you and friend Bill on one of our tours of the "civilized side." And if you're feeling adventurous, come on over to the rowdy side and visit.

Bill D., John's been to nearly all of the Festivals. We'd love to see some pics from the early days!

Arne, Al and Barbara, Kaleea, anonymous 'Catters and just general "good folks"--come on by and set a spell.

Lin "the Confused" from Kansas (or is that redundant?)

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 03 Sep 02 - 10:34 PM

Time is short!

Just about the time I was thinking about packing up the van, the alternator blew - and took a distributor module with it.

Then an unexpected flat tire revealed that the front end was about to hit the dirt - requiring a relatively major front end overhaul (and two new tires).

While the van was still in the shop, LiK's little pick'emup toy suffered a total cardiac of the battery.

Then when we opened the camper, we found it too needed a new battery.

And over the weekend I learned that the "spirits of compression" have departed from the refrig in the camper -- so I'm off to try to get a recharge in the morning.

But - I'll be down to get in line on Saturday morning. And ...(no applause please)... will have no web or 'cat access until the WVA festival is over.

We're still debating whether Lin will go down Saturday, or will hang around the house for a few days.

See ya all there.

John

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: GUEST,wlisk
Date: 04 Sep 02 - 09:41 AM

Scamp Camp will be there this year. We pulled the Scamp up there Sunday for the "pre-line". We're #200 or so! We will be up again Sat to move to the Pecan Grove for the official line up for land rush. Look forward to seeing everyone. Art we will tell Mike Flynn you said hello, we're going out to dinner with he and Laura tonight. It's hard to concentrate on work with a Winfield state of mind. Bill & Deanna (Siloam Springs AR)

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 05 Sep 02 - 11:51 PM

Oh, I like that! "Winfield State of Mind"--Bill, that just screams to be a song!

Finally Fed Ex'd my year-long project off to the printer's, and am bouncing up and down in anticipation of 10 days of R&R. If John thinks he's going to Winfield without me, he'll have to sneak out in the middle of the night!

See y'all there!

Lin

Subject: RE: Walnut Valley 2002
From: Gary T
Date: 07 Sep 02 - 05:30 PM

We're heading down on Thursday the 12th, expect to arrive early- to mid-afternoon. We'll be in the Pecan Grove, if possible at or near our last year's site. All Mudcatters are encouraged to drop by and say howdy, and don't forget our jams both Friday nights.

Looking forward to Winfield and seeing you there!