August 11, 2026

For Immediate Release

Contact: Walnut Valley Association

news@wvfest.com

(620) 221-3250

Thirty-five years of Acoustic Kids at Winfield!
Young musicians: Register now to be part of the legend in 2026

Winfield, Kansas — Walnut Valley Festival will again host Andy May’s Acoustic Kids Showcase this year, giving young musicians the opportunity to perform on its stages in front of a supportive audience. The Showcase, which has been a part of Walnut Valley Festival since 1991, is a non-competitive program that provides a positive performance experience in a professional setting for young pickers and singers of all skill levels. To take part, interested performers must apply by August 18 through the Acoustic Kids website at andymay.com/acoustic-kids/acoustic-kids-walnut-valley-fest/.

To register, young musicians present one to three songs or tunes they would like to perform in the showcase. There is no audition. Participants may be at any level in their musical journey, as long as they are confident enough in their performance that they can have a positive on-stage experience.

 

Applying his 60-plus years of experience as a performer, band leader, and arts educator, Andy May uses the registration demos he receives to build the showcases with two goals: each performer will be in a place in the showcase where they can shine, and the show will be exciting for the audience. As a result, many families participate in the program every and some fans make sure to catch the showcase every year to get a glimpse of the next generation of musicians. 

 

First brought to the Walnut Valley Festival by Bob and Kendra Redford in 1991, Andy May’s Acoustic Kids Showcases have become a beloved part of the festival’s annual events. The Redfords wanted to provide an activity for young musicians that would give them a chance to experience performing — not competing! — on a festival stage with a professional sound crew and an audience made up of music-lovers. Acoustic Kids has provided that service for festival-goers for three and a half decades, becoming part of the fabric of the festival.

Most showcase participants play music for their own enjoyment and have no aspirations to become professional musicians. Acoustic Kids may be their only opportunity to perform at a major music festival and experience all that goes along with doing that, from preparation to applause. But some come into the program as polished performers and develop their own following among the showcase audience. Since the early days when Nickel Creek performed in the showcases as young teenagers and took the festival and then the country by storm, it’s been safe to say, “You never know who you’ll see for the first time in Acoustic Kids!”

Participation in Acoustic Kids has only four requirements: be a festival attendee with the appropriate wristband; be able to confidently perform one verse/chorus of at least one tune or song at any level, beginner to pro; be 18 or younger; and register online at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/acoustic-kids-walnut-valley-fest/ by August 17. (Late registration will be available through August 24, space permitting.) There is no additional charge for festival attendees to take part in the showcase. Performances may be solo, accompanied by an adult, or duo/group/band performances. Family bands are welcome, as are all instruments and any musical styles that fit the festival!  Acoustic KidsTM: "The music is in good hands..."

Acoustic Kids website: https://acoustickids.com
WVF Showcase Information & Registration: https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/acoustic-kids-walnut-valley-fest/
Acoustic Kids Contact: AcousticKids@andymay.com
Walnut Valley Festival website: https://www.wvfest.com/
Festival Contact: 918 Main Street (PO Box 245), Winfield, KS 67156; 620-221-3250; hq@wvfest.com