Walnut Valley Music Festival

Did you go to the Walnut Valley Music Festival in Winfield? I have been kinda surprised at how many people I have run into in the area who either don't go or have never been.

It is like when I lived on the beach in South Carolina I knew people who lived there that never went to the beach. Familiarity breeds contempt as they say.

Some say the price is too high, and it isn't cheap, I'll grant you that. However, seeing just one band would cost $10-15, and you can easily see 10 performances in a day at the festival. Do the math and you'll see that a $40 day pass isn't that bad, or even the cost of the entire festival.

They have dropped the word "bluegrass" from the name, and to some extent, have moved away from being a bluegrass festival.

There is what is called "progressive bluegrass" which is much more like blues.
There are many styles of music, which is what makes it interesting to me.

Another festival has come and gone. I did not get to attend as much of this one as I have in recent years because I was sick. Still, it is a highlight of the year for me. I gave up going to a college football game to go to this years festival. It was a bit chilly Saturday, which was kinda nice. Sunday was hot and I was totally miserable, but I went anyway.

The festival is in Winfield, but when it comes to things like this, we really shouldn't let a rivalry or provincialism get in the way. We could have a festival like this in Arkansas City someday.