Students in the communication department at Southwestern College are collaborating with The Walnut Valley Association (WVA) to create a video project called “Winfield Memories” during the Walnut Valley Festival, Sept. 13 – 17, at the Winfield Fairgrounds.

Bart Redford, WVA, presented the idea for the project to two SC faculty members in early September. “Winfield Memories” will honor the life of Bob Redford, former WVA president, who died in December of 2016. The students will record individual interviews from both festival goers and from people who have worked at the festival over the years. 

“The idea for this project came about as I listened to fans of the festival tell me about their favorite memories of the event and their recollections of my father,” Redford says.  “My dad always loved a good festival story, and had quite a few himself, and I just thought this would be a nice way to capture some of these tales on video as a tribute to him and to all the people who have made this event what it is, fans and WVA crew alike.”

After the stories are gathered during the festival, Tanner Carlson, communication senior, will develop the series of interviews into a documentary as a senior project. WVA intends to have them play at a new venue called Bob’s Place which will also feature memorabilia from the Festival’s long history. 

Carlson is coordinating the work of a team of students who are contributing to the project. He is being assisted by Jason Knowles, visiting instructor of communication, digital arts, and new media and Stacy Sparks, associate professor of journalism. 

“The Walnut Valley Festival provides an opportunity for a talented and hard-working senior to lead a group of students on a meaningful project with a uniquely Winfield angle,” Sparks says. 

The Walnut Valley Festival Memories booth will be at the Northwest end of Barn 8 of the Winfield Fairgrounds during the Walnut Valley Festival. Students will be gathering stories on Sept. 14 and 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.