53rd Walnut Valley Festival; National Flat-Picking Championships, September 17-21, 2024; Winfield, KS

Festival FAQs

Table of Contents

Getting To The Festival

The festival is held at the Winfield Fairgrounds in Winfield, KS. The address is 1105 West 9th Ave., Winfield, KS, 67156. Click here to go to our Festival Map page https://www.wvfest.com/festival-map/

The best way is to reach out to the others on the WVF Facebook Fan page, at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2208526957 and ask if others from your point of origin are travelling to Winfield.

If you are a ticket holder, need to purchase tickets, and do not have a wristband yet, use the main entrance that you see marked “TICKETS.” If driving from Winfield to the West on 9th Ave [Hwy 160], it will be the SECOND entrance on the left after you pass the railroad tracks. If you already have a wristband, or if you are a worker, guest, crafter, concessioner or hired performer, enter REENTRY, the FIRST entrance on the left after the railroad tracks.

Aside from the main entrances, Tickets and Reentry, there are two entrances which may be used once you have your wristbands and your camping permits. These are located at the East and West 14th Street.

Tickets, etc.

We offer discounts on adult tickets during our early bird presale and advance sale periods.  Compare our ticket costs with other festivals and events and you will find that WVF is a bargain, especially considering that we have four stages, with over 200 hours of music on offer.

We do occasionally allow school groups at a reduced rate. These are granted on a case-by-case basis and should be requested in writing well in advance of the festival.

Yes! Ticket-holding adults may obtain tickets for kids 5 and under for free, kids 6-10 for $10 and teenagers ages of 11-15 for $50, less than half the cost of the ticket price at the gate.

YES! For details on how to work for your ticket, complete this form at https://www.wvfest.com/prospect-worker-form/  Work two 5-hour shifts and receive a full festival pass and a crew shirt!

At Walnut Valley Festival, we’re committed to bringing you an unforgettable experience with a diverse lineup of talented artists. While we can’t offer refunds for the cancellation of a single performer, we do our best to find a great replacement if an artist cancels well in advance.

Due to the intricacies of festival logistics, budget planning, and advance booking contracts, we are not able to offer refunds. You may sell the ticket, although WVF is not responsible for the validity of any resold tickets

As with most outdoor music festivals, we do not offer refunds in the event of rain. Bring rain gear and you’ll appreciate galoshes!

If you purchase tickets at our office beforehand, we accept all major credit cards and cash. If you purchase at our main gate, we ask that you purchase with a credit or debit card.

  • Full Festival tickets can be redeemed starting at 5pm on Wednesday, September 10.
  • One-Day and Two-Day tickets are redeemable starting at 8 AM on the day of the ticket.
  • All tickets must be redeemed for wristbands during gate hours of operation to be allowed on grounds.

If you are a ticket holder, workers at the Tickets entrance will scan your ticket and issue a wristband. You can also pay for camping and vehicle fees at there.  Walk-ups are welcome after 5pm on September 10.

Workers, guests, crafters, concessioners & performers: Enter REENTRY, the first left after the railroad tracks (travelling West out of Winfield), for wristbands.

  • Saturday, September 6:   2pm-6pm
  • Sunday, September 7 — Tuesday, September 9:   8am-6pm
  • *Wednesday, September 10 — Saturday, September 20:   8am-11pm
  • Sunday, September 21:   8am-3pm

*Will remain open overnight Wednesday, September 10 only.

  • Full Festival tickets are the only tickets valid before Thursday, September 18 and remain valid through the end of the festival.
  • Two-day tickets start at 8am on the first valid day. Friday/Saturday last until 8am on Sunday and Saturday/Sunday last through the festival.
  • One-day tickets are valid 8am to midnight (or 30 minutes after official stages close).
  • All tickets must be redeemed for wristbands during gate hours for entry.

All tickets purchased by credit/debit card, whether online or through the festival office, will have a 3% fee added to the order. In addition, all online orders will also have an ETIX fee ($4/ticket for Full Festival or Two-Day, $3/ticket for One-Day). Online orders will also be subject to an additional fee of $4.50 if physical tickets are requested.

No. Tickets must be redeemed for wristbands during gate hours to be allowed on grounds. Wristbands are required beginning at 5pm on Thursday, September 11. Only a Full Festival ticket allows someone to be on grounds before Thursday, September 18.

No. Camping and tickets are separate fees. Only Full Festival or two-day ticket holders are allowed to purchase camping.

No. After you have received your wristband, you may enter and leave through our REENTRY or 14th Street gates. That way you won’t have to wait in line with those who are still needing to purchase tickets/camping/etc. The 14th Street gates are available after hours, but you must already have your wristband to enter.

While we feel that we are one of the best values in the industry, we understand that everyone is looking for ways to make their money stretch further. Multiple options are available for those who are looking for ways to save on their time at the festival.

  1. Buy your tickets as soon as they become available (typically around December 1 for Full Festival). By purchasing before February 15, you will save $50 PER TICKET (Adult Full Festival) compared to buying them at the gate. Note: Only Full Festival tickets are available prior to February 15.
  2. Miss the deadline? Don’t worry. Prices may have increased, but you can still save compared to the gate price until the Friday before festival.
  3. It takes a lot of people to make the Walnut Valley Festival happen. Anyone 16 and older can help us out by working 10 hours (2, 5-hour shifts) to receive a Full Festival pass and crew shirt at no cost.
  4. Camping? You can work for that, too. 15 hours (in addition to any worked for tickets) will earn you reimbursement after the festival for 10 days of rough camping. Please note, camping fees must still be paid in full when you arrive.

Preregistration, Lineup and Land Rush

No. Many people choose to wait until after Land Rush has concluded to arrive and have no issues finding a campsite they like. Please note that access to electricity can often become difficult to find past the weekend after Land Rush.

No. While there are many of our campers who enjoy camping longer in Winfield or enjoy trying to be the first ones into the campgrounds, it is not required. If you wish to take part in Land Rush without doing Lineup and Preregistration, you are welcome to do so by simply coming to get in line before Land Rush day. Be aware that anyone who arrived before you will enter the campgrounds first during Land Rush.

No. If you would rather not preregister, you may simply show up any time that the Ticket Trailer is open after the initial Lineup. The Ticket Trailer will be open until 6pm each day between Lineup and Land Rush except Wednesday night when we will remain open overnight. Ticket Trailer hours prior to Land Rush are as follows:            

  • Saturday, September 6: 2pm-6pm
  • Sunday, September 7 — Tuesday, September 9: 8am-6pm
  • Wednesday, September 10: 8am-?

No. If you wish to camp in the general camping areas, you may want to arrive early to make sure you can find an area that fits your particular needs, whether electric access or your ability to safely move around in your campsite. However, anyone with a handicapped license plate or placard is welcome to camp in our designated handicapped camping area. Although it cannot be guaranteed because it is still first-come/first-serve, we do not typically run out of space or electric access in that area.

Your preregistration fees cover your rough camping for 15 Days (September 6-20) to the Walnut Valley Festival. Electric permits may be purchased on grounds during Lineup or at the Ticket Trailer after it opens.

To allow a manageable schedule for Lineup, we have limited the number of spots available (for preregistration only). These limits are in line with the quantity typically received prior to implementing these limits. Even for campers who are unable or choose not to preregister, there is still plenty of space available for anyone who wants to come and camp.

Yes. During checkout, you will be asked to provide the Name (First and Last), City, State, and Phone Number for the person who will be using the permit in addition to the correct billing information for the credit/debit card used. If you need to update this information after preregistering, you can use this form to provide us with their information so we can have the permits held for the correct person. Please make sure that this information is correct by the end of July so we can have the right name on the Row Assignment.

No. You may also print this form and either send it to us in the mail postmarked June 28- July 7 or bring it to our office (918 Main, Winfield) during regular business hours (M-F: 9am-12pm, 1pm-5pm) while preregistration is open. Be aware, though, that your place in the queue will depend on when staff receive and enter your information into the system, and that they will NOT begin entering them until after 1pm on the day preregistration opens. Also, in processing your preregistration, staff will be entering your information into the very same system that you would otherwise be using in preregistering online.

Yes and No. Walnut Valley will not be holding space in the rows beyond the designated time for that row to be processed. However, you are welcome to have a camp-mate/friend/relative/etc. who is going to be there mark your spot in line for you if you are unable to be there. Campers who are not able to be present or have someone else present on their behalf at the designated time will be considered as having their fees paid but will be parked at the end of the line for their selected campground when they arrive.

You do not have to purchase tickets before you can preregister. However, please note that your preregistration does NOT include tickets and that tickets must be purchased and redeemed for wristbands by 5pm on Land Rush day to be allowed to remain on grounds.

Preregistrations will be taken July 1-7, and your receipt email from ETIX will indicate your row for Lineup. The Row Forms to be displayed when you arrive will be sent out to campers in early August along with more specific instructions for Lineup (emailed or mailed to address on preregistration form). To ensure delivery, please verify that hq@wvfest.com is marked as a safe address in your email. If you have preregistered but have not received your Row Form by August 18, contact the WVA office at 620-221-3250.

Land Rush Numbers are no longer issued. However, ALL campers taking part in Lineup will need to report to the designated Pre-Pay station in Barn 4 (contest stage) on grounds after claiming their spot in line to pay any remaining fees and receive their required Land Rush hang tag.

Preregistration is limited to only the basic camping fee for rough camping. After claiming your spot in line during Lineup, you will need to report to the designated Pre-Pay station in Barn 4 (contest stage) on grounds. At that time, you can pre-pay for electric or opt to pay for electric when you return for Land Rush.

No. Once you have reached your spot in your designated zone, you can put down tarps or leave your camper to hold your spot, and then leave in your vehicle after reporting to the designated Pre-Pay station in Barn 4 (contest stage). You must have a preregistration (assuming you have preregistered) for each spot occupied.

You may have up to two preregistrations in your vehicle if they are both in the same row. You must have a separate form for each spot in order to mark multiple spots. Festival personnel will be present to mark off registrations on the preregistration list as campers get in line.

Everyone taking part in Lineup will need to report to the Pre-Pay Station set up in Barn 4 (contest stage) at the Fairgrounds on September 6 after claiming their spot(s) in line to pay any remaining fees and receive their required Land Rush hang tag. At that time, you may choose to purchase electricity if you wish to do so. Electricity can be charged from either the day you arrive or starting from Land Rush.

ANY vehicle entering the Pecan Grove or West Campgrounds during Land Rush must have a Land Rush hang tag. Anyone wanting a car or other support vehicle to follow their camping unit at the same time must request a 2nd Land Rush hang tag at the Pre-Pay station. Be aware that any vehicle that will be remaining in the campgrounds is required to have its own parking sticker. Additional parking stickers will be available at the Ticket Trailer and must be applied by on-duty WVF personnel when they are received.

For safety reasons, NO MORE than ONE attached unit (camper, trailer, etc.) is allowed behind tow vehicle. To prevent the spread of invasive insects, please refrain from bringing wood from outside of Cowley County. Locally-cut firewood will be available for purchase on grounds.

Please do NOT tow your car behind your motor home when entering the campground due to safety concerns and limited area in the campground to unhook the towed car in order to park the motor home in your camping spot.  Plan to either bring the car in the campground after you have parked the motor home or have someone drive the car, following the motor home. Please be aware that ALL vehicles entering the campgrounds during Land Rush MUST have their own Land Rush hang tag, and any vehicle that will be remaining in the campgrounds must have its own parking sticker. Additional parking stickers will be available at the Ticket Trailer and must be applied by on-duty WVF personnel when they are received.

(Note that this answer only applies to people whose comp status is determined prior to the start of preregistration.) Anyone who receives Comp Camping (due to services rendered to the festival or other contracts) will be contacted prior to the start of preregistration to verify whether they intend to take part in BOTH Lineup AND Land Rush, and if so, if they want to worry about being in one of the preregistered rows. Failure to respond will be interpreted as NOT taking part in preregistration. If the answer to both is yes, you will be emailed a unique coupon code to enter when doing your preregistration. Please understand that your comp camping only covers the 10 days starting from Land Rush, meaning that you will be responsible for paying $75(+fees) [5 days @ $15/day ($75)] to cover September 6 – September 10 when you preregister. Electric is NOT included in your comp camping. Please do not attempt to register your comp camping spot without this code. If you do so, it will be assumed that you are purchasing additional spots, and they will not be refunded.

After-Hours Arrival

If you are newly arriving after the ticket trailer has closed, or in the morning before it has opened, you will be parked in the area next to the ticket trailer until morning. No patrons without wristbands may enter grounds.

During the Festival, the East and West 14th Street entrances are open 24hrs to those wearing valid wristbands. Ticket Trailer and Reentry hours are 8am to 11pm daily. If you arrive when the ticket trailer is closed, Security folks will get you parked so that you can enter grounds as soon as Ticket Trailer is up and running in the morning. This process can be slow, please arrive with patience or arrive while the ticket booth is open. 

Camping / RVs

After purchasing the correct camping permit, you may leave your driver’s license with the folks at Ticket Trailer (Main Entrance) and they will issue you a temporary permit that will allow your vehicle to be in the campground for up to 2 hours.  In order to retrieve your license, you must bring your vehicle out of the campground and park in day parking.

You will still need a festival wristband. You can use the second entrance to the Tickets Trailer to obtain your wristband. Then proceed to day parking. 

There are a variety of hotels, motels, vacation rentals and RV parks nearby Winfield. Some of your options are listed here: https://www.wvfest.com/camping-alternatives/

No. You must be wearing a valid WVF wristband to enter the Festival or campground. 

So there is adequate camping space for everyone and to minimize dust from traffic, we try to discourage vehicles in the campground.  If you really want to park your car in the campground, you may purchase a Campground Vehicle Permit for $10/day. Campground Vehicle Permits are available at the Main Ticket Trailer and must be affixed to the windshield of the vehicle in the campground.

Sleeping in vehicles in the parking lot is not allowed, so if you want to sleep in your car, it must be parked in the campgrounds and you will have to purchase a Camping Permit (see above).

Electricity and water hookups are scattered throughout the campground and available on a first-come first-served basis.

Open fires should be within fire rings no larger than 3 ft. diameter and 12 inches in height. Locally-cut firewood is available near the showers. LARGE BONFIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED nor any kind of fire art, sky lanterns or fireworks!

​Do not burn fires under trees, branches or next to wooden structures. Fires MUST be attended at all times and must be completely extinguished before retiring for the night or leaving the campsite. Please share fires when possible, it’s more fun that way anyway.

Camping for all spots in the campground is on a first-come, first served basis. Sorry, but no camping spots, for RVs or any others, are reserved.

No, no pets are allowed on grounds. Just imagine the chaos and mess! Info on animal boarding possibilities can be found here: https://www.wvfest.com/camping-alternatives/#animal-boarding

Working For A Ticket

Enter at REENTRY, the FIRST entrance on the left after the railroad tracks going West on Hwy 160 / 9th Ave, to obtain your pass/wristband. From there, you will be directed where to go.

Go to this link: https://www.wvfest.com/prospect-worker-form/ and sign up to work. If the Festival is in progress, you may call Reentry at (620) 705 9111 or arrive onsite and check in with the Reentry staff at that entrance.

Performers / Media / Vendors

If you are a worker, artist, member of the media, or a guest, enter REENTRY, the first entrance after the railroad tracks (on the left) if driving from Winfield.

Food vendors and those who work for them can check in at Reentry, where they have a packet for food vendors and temporary passes for their workers. Newly arrived vendors will be directed to their spot in the interior.

Other Stuff

Absolutely! Our festival is kid-friendly and affordable (see discounts). We offer activities for all ages, including:

  • Feisty Music Camp (Pre-K–6th grade): 30-minute sessions on instruments, songwriting, dancing, and kids’ concerts. (Requires at least one parent present)
  • Andy May’s Acoustic Kids: A stage opportunity for young musicians.

We offer complimentary public Wi-Fi in our Internet Café, but most camping areas do not have Wi-Fi. Most cell phones have service on grounds. Internet Café also has a variety of charge cords for many cell phone models.

Handicapped parking is between the two entrances, Ticket Trailer and Reentry. There is a shuttle service from the lot to the north interior gate. There is also a designated area, on blacktop, for handicapped camping. It is just to the south of the Ticket Trailer, and North of Barn 4 (Stage IV). ​

Yes, although it is subject to search.

No, although we do have a beer garden in the interior, called the Picker’s Pub,  with a range of local and regional brews and wines available.

For updates on the Festival schedule, ticket specials, RV & Vendor info, and other special events, please join our email newsletter by filling out the form at the bottom of the main page wvfest.com