Every year it gets more difficult to say just when the Walnut Valley Festival starts.
For members of the Great Plains Dulcimer Alliance, the true kickoff is the Saturday before the festival, when members and friends gather for the Winfield Warm-Up Picnic. From that event on, the days leading up to the festival - which officially starts Thursday morning - are packed.
Because of ongoing bridge construction at Island Park, the warm-up picnic was at the west camping area of the fairground this year.
"Having to change locations made us sort of apprehensive, but the Walnut Valley Association people were so great in providing things for us and helping set us up," said Lois Liggett of Winfield. Liggett was the founder of the picnic and was in charge for the first four of its seven years. "It helped make a perfect day."
Included in the day were workshops for hammered and mountain dulcimer - both beginning and advanced - as well as sessions for guitar and banjo players. An evening open mike concert featured workshop presenters, club members and others.
"We were very pleased with the number of people who came throughout the day. Many of them just watched and listened. The workshops were very well attended," Liggett said. "There was a nice breeze, and the trees provided shade that made it comfortable."
On Sunday afternoon, during a light drizzle, the Stage IV barn was filled for Masterpeace, which led a gospel sing. The group mixed its original songs with standards such as "I'll Fly Away" and "I Saw the Light." Two local groups, the Walnut River String Band and The Renters, performed after the gospel sing.
Gary Gackstatter of The Renters called the concerts a great way to start the festival "with family and friends pickin' and grinnin'."
Karen Nickel, who plays autoharp with the Walnut River String Band, said her group had a ball Sunday. "We thought the audience was great, and we really enjoy playing," she said.
Gackstatter said giving local groups a chance to play fits into the spirit of the Walnut Valley Festival. His trio was able to play on some of the main stages last year.
"Anybody making good music ought to be able to get up there and do it," he said.
Workshops
Two workshops will give autoharp and guitar players intense instruction on their instruments.
The autoharp workshop, led by Winfield native and past International Autoharp Champion Karen Mueller, begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Grace Episcopal Church. The workshop's eight hours will be divided over two days.
Intermediate autoharp students will explore rhythm and melody techniques in the sessions, playing bluegrass, old-time, Celtic and gospel styles. Cost is $30. For reservations, phone 221-2620 or 221-4196.
The flatpick guitar workshop is also a two-day session, divided into beginners and intermediate/advanced players. Beginners start at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The more advanced session begins at 2 p.m. Both groups will meet in the south room of the community theater barn.
The flatpick sessions will be taught by Steve Kaufman, a past national champion and revered instructor. Students are encouraged to bring questions. Cost is $65. For reservations phone 1-800-FLATPIK or the festival information number, 221-3250.
Band scramble
For many, the heart of the festival is in the campground. The Riverat Camp, found in the west part of the Pecan Grove, is hosting a band scramble Wednesday,
By 10:30 that morning, anyone interested in playing must drop his or her name into the appropriate can at the camp. Choices are guitar, mandolin, bass, banjo, fiddle and other.
Groups will be formed by drawing names from the cans. At 11 a.m., competitors must be present to meet their band members, decide on a name and choose a group spokesperson.
At 3 p.m., each group will perform three songs at the "American Ratstand" in the grove. Volunteer judges will choose the winning group.