Evolving from 2 days in 1972 to its current 5 days, held the 3rd weekend of September annually, it endeavors to produce: “family fare” entertainment on 4 stages simultaneously; a large, quality, juried arts and crafts fair; workshops; and acoustic instrument contests. What began with 10 acts and 2 contests now boasts over 30 acts and 8 contests, including two international contests, 5 national contests and 1 Walnut Valley contest.

The contests are a major part of the festival. Along with the National Flat Pick Championships and the International Finger Style Championships, the Walnut Valley Festival hosts the International Autoharp, National Mandolin, National Mountain Dulcimer, National Hammered Dulcimer, National Bluegrass Banjo, and Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle Championships. Over the course of years, the contests at Winfield have attracted more than 3,000 contestants from all 50 states as well as many foreign countries including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, England, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Caledonia, Switzerland, and Wales.