If the Cowley County Fairgrounds are not the center of the universe they should be.  The camaraderie, love and just general “lets all get along and have some fun, make some music, cook, camp, catch up with old friends and make some new ones”, is a lesson that a lot of folks in this crazy world could benefit from.  The fellowship and goodwill that emanates through the pecan trees along the Walnut River is a sign to the world that there is still hope for the human race.  For politicians and terrorists a “Winfieldlike” experience should be mandatory.  I think they have forgotten how to have fun, treat one another and commune with nature.  I know that this subject matter is a little deep but as I perused the headlines this evening for the first time in several days I saw that not much has changed out there beyond the confines of Winfield, Kansas.  People shooting others, heads of state imposing their will on the people, governments warring and disasters of all kinds.  I like the closeness of friends and folks having a great time singing and playing song after song after song.  If these trees could speak the stories they could tell .. of how to live together and and treat each other right and have a little fun along the way.

I told a friend today that the Cowley County Fairgrounds were one of my favorite places on Earth … now you know why.

The landrush is over and we are camped in and this morning we went to pick up the truck (Stage 5).  Even through all of the rumors of Stage 5 being stolen have been greatly exaggerated, including a elicit trip to Tijuana Mexico and thirty illegal Mexicans .. Stage 5 has finally arrived at Winfield!!  Craig and A.J. are giving the old ’54 a fresh coat of wax and buffing it up real “purddy”.  Ya’ll come by and say hi …. as Craig says ….. Yeeeeeee Haaaaaaaw.

Five words I will never forget .. I will never forget that morning in the Pecan Grove … or the days that followed.

I was the only one awake at camp when Bob Dorman came into camp from town and said he had heard something on the radio about the twin towers on fire … we rigged up an old black and white TV with wires connected to the carport awning for better reception.  As others in camp began to awake Dave Stewart came around the corner and said he had a color TV with better reception …  … and the walls came tumblin’ down.

NEVER FORGET 9.11.2001

There’s a tremendous amount of dedication, planning, work and execution that goes into making a campground stage happen and run like clockwork,  and when you hit a milestone it should be celebrated.  This is exactly the reason I want to spend a little time today NOT talking about Stage 5 but instead … Stage 7.

This year Stage 7 marks their 15th year of providing a place where Walnut Valley attendees can showcase their craft.  When beginning an endeavor like a campground stage you really never know where or what it will lead to, but you do it for fun, you do it because there is a need, you do it because of your love for the music and the musicians.

You go through lots of growing pains ..  year after year when the festival is over this question always comes back to you .. How can we make it better?  Then one day you turn around and you have been .. doing better for fifteen years!!  It’s hard work, and long days and nights, and some of the most enjoyable times of your life … because you are doing it for all the right reasons!!!

So this year when you are trekking through the Pecan Grove and you happen across Stage 7 be sure to stop and tell them thanks for all their hard work and dedication over the years.  Be sure to wish them a Happy 15th Year and celebrate with them for a while. Congratulations Stage 7 ..  you guys rock!!!