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The sounds of musicBy Susen Foster Winfield, Kan., is where the Flint Hills meet Blue Stem Country and where conversations frequently turn to music because it is home to internationally acclaimed "Walnut Valley Music Festival," held in September each year, and "Winfield Country Round Up" held annually in May. Of course, Winfield is much more than music. It is a charming town filled with great little shops and tummy tempting eateries. (My favorite is Biederman's Bistro on Main Street. I love their sweet potato chips with cinnamon cream cheese dip.) It is also home to Southwestern College and is a community whose history is as unique as its modern day attributes. Out of the top 100 Best Small Towns in America, Winfield holds the proud title as #56. This is exemplified by many colorful murals painted on the outside of buildings throughout the town, including the one done on Floid McCord's old warehouse. Speaking of Floid McCord--we already talked about the annual music festivals that have made this corner of Kansas famous, but did you know that at least once a month there are some pretty awesome music events going on at another Winfield venue? Just south of town is where thousands of music lovers converge on the grounds at Quail Valley and into the Fun Barn where a little bit of country and a whole lot of western go a long, long way. This southeast Kansas attraction, with its iconic huge gold boot at the front gate, is the always-growing vision of Floid McCord, who along with western music's biggest fan Marilyn Alberding, has made Quail Valley Fun Barn a popular destination. Touches of Floid's whimsy appear as metal critters inhabiting the woods on the beautiful grounds; and guests plan on arriving early so they can enjoy the scenery before they are whisked into the barn and settled into their seats, ready for a scrumptious barbecue and a foot-stompin' good time with the headliner of the night. QVFB's 2008 Supper Show and Dance Calendar includes The Border Bandits on Feb. 23 and on March 7 and 8, the authentic cowboy harmonies of Prairie Wranglers (formerly Prairie Rose Wranglers) will fill the barn with memories of the Old West. The Bucky Fowler Band will be on stage April 12; Joe Berry of Nashville on May 10; and Oklahoma's Balladeer Les Gilliam will be joined by the Silverlake Band for a much anticipated show on June 14. On July 12, Quail Valley Fun Barn welcomes another Nashville talent, Dave Parks. Then Aug. 9, Daryl Shiff, father of award winning country artist Martina McBride returns to the QVFB stage. The last weekend in August is the 2nd annual Smokin' Behind the Barn BBQ Cook-Off and Oct. 9, 10, and 11 is the weekend of the Old-Time Country Music Festival. There is always something going on at the Fun Barn. In addition, it is the perfect place for an indoor or outdoor special event, like a wedding or family reunion, so visit www.thefunbarn.com for more information or call Marilyn direct at 620-222-2154 to find out how much fun the Fun Barn can be. 2/18/08 Date: 2/12/08
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