Ozarks Rambles: Renowned music festival to be held next Sept. 14-17

There is an acoustic music holy ground just four hours west of Springfield. It is venerated by local bluegrass folk and acoustic music fans bankers, doctors, lawyers and federal judges even those with no visible means of support.

In a scenic bend in the Walnut River, in the small south-central town of Winfield, Kan., a phenomenon known as "Pickers' Paradise" will open its tents for its annual four-day run.

Internationally esteemed for its breadth of musicianship, support of new groups and musicians, and its world-class campground hospitality, the event was originally known as the National Guitar Flat Picking and Fiddling Championships.

Founded 29 years ago as a offshoot of the Elderhostel program organized by Southwestern College in Winfield, it was originally put together by faculty pickers and area folk and acoustic musicians who performed the first program for the Elderhostelers.

From these humble beginnings, the festival has grown into a whole universe of its own, composed of regional and local flat-pickers, fans, camp followers, those musically dyslexic and plain Winfield family folks.

The 2000 incarnation of the festival will award championships in eight instrumental categories, including the National Finger-Pick Guitar, Bluegrass Banjo and Mountain and Hammer Dulcimer Championships, the International Autoharp Championships, and the renowned National Flat Picking Guitar Championship.

This year's contest prizes total more than $56,000 in cash, trophies and hand-built instruments made by gifted luthiers from all over the world.

There is an outstanding lineup of returning artists and groups appearing at the 2000 festival. It includes Cherish the Ladies, an Irish-American group of female musicians, Mike Cross, featuring his powerhouse 12-string bottleneck blues jamming, and Bluestem, combining a variety of bluegrass, western, gospel and Plains humor with great harmonies and instrumental expertise

Wonderful music workshops abound, so the campground pickers can study with the masters, and finally learn that special thing Bryan Bowers does on the autoharp that is so hard to see from the audience.

New this year will be The Kruger Brothers from Europe, with their own eclectic brand of Cajun, Tex Mex, soul, jazz, new country and contemporary original compositions; Misty River, playing a melange of Celtic tunes, ballads, folk melodies and original songs and Big Twang, winner of the 1999 Rockygrass Band Championships in Colorado.

Bob Redford founded the current festival in 1972 with his wife and partner, Kendra Redford.

"Things look great for this year's event," Bob Redford said. "Last Saturday (Sept. 2) a full 12 days before the festival officially opened its doors, 165 camping units were already on site in the campgrounds."

One can imagine that there is not enough time grab a bite to eat during the fast-and-furious "daze and nights" of the festival, much less plan and prepare the meal. Not to worry, every manner of prepared food is available 18 hours a day, from steak and eggs and biscuits and gravy, funnel cakes and onion blossoms, espresso coffee to hand-squeezed lemonades and fresh roasted peanuts.

One can only imagine the economic impact on a town of 16,000, when approximately 14,000 acoustic music addicts descend upon their stores and shops, restaurants, motels and area tourist attractions.

There are certainly towns in southern Kansas and Missouri that would kill to have such an economic windfall. It is on a par with the Broiler Festival in Crane, Sucker Days in Nixa, Hootin' & Hollerin' Days in Aurora and even the Erntefest in Freistatt.

To get to the festival, take Interstate 44 west through Joplin and Carthage, take the last exit to Kansas before the toll road begins, stay on Kansas Highway 166 west through Baxter Springs, through Coffeyville to Arkansas City, then north to Winfield.

Advance ticket prices went up after the last day of August, however, fans can purchase a one-, two-, weekend or four-day package, with the four-day plan being the best bargain.

Prices range from $28 to $70. Festival rules dictate that I remind readers that no animals, alcohol or drugs are allowed. Because of noise, no motorcycles can be in the campground, but they can park in designated areas.

There are no motel rooms available in Winfield after the first of the year. Rooms abound in Wichita, 40 miles north, and Ponca City, Okla., about 45 miles south. You can call the festival for further information at 316-221-3250, or find information online at www.wvfest.com.

See you in the Pecan Grove. I'll be the guy in the funny hat!

(Kenny Knauer is a past organizer of the St. Pat's Parade, a participant with the parks, greenways and open spaces committee of Vision 20/20, and a long-time member and volunteer on the steering committee of Founder's Park.)