There is a long history of llama participation at the Walnut Valley Festival, but I've been understandably hesitant to 'come out of the barn' about it. Last year, I almost did, when Margaret and Kathy tried to drag me into the discussion. But as you may remember, almost right away there was all that talk about animals at festivals ..... especially about how they should NOT be there. Well, I know the security folks read this list, so I'm taking a big step here to disclose this information......But...it's time!Some of you know that llamas have many valuable uses (not everyone starts off by asking "What the heck do ya do with those critters???) And some of you remember when we described last year why they're the slickest thing since Gorilla snot at Winfield. They're easily trained to duck down in the back seat with a tent over their head when you come in the gate. They're quiet, except for that infernal humming along with tunes they don't know the words to. They enjoy carrying your instruments, they eat down the grass in the camp for that nice lawn look. They don't drink my beer, I mean my sodas. And they don't bark at the rainspoutaphone player!So...here's a little evidence that I hope won't be held against me! |
 Denise and Charlie, with Ivan the llama peeking out of the tent to see if the coast is clear. Llamas are really quite compatible with humans, and I don't have to take an air mattress now that he sleeps in the tent with us. This was in the Konza Camp in 94. |  Ivan, as we get ready to head out to 'motor-home city' (aka the Walnut Grove) to pick a few tunes. You'll notice how well he carries that mando of mine. He could easily do one or two basses and have room left for lawn chairs, but I don't know if he could fit between the motorhomes then. You've probably never noticed him, because I usually just stake him out in a narrow isle between the campers and leave a silly hat on his head or something, so security guys will just think it's one more odd character with a big hat, big nose, and funny ears. This was in our camp 2 years ago. |
And finally, a photo of our favorite Winfield performer, getting into a real hummer of a clogging session with a llama from the audience during one of John McCutcheon's sets at last year's festival. I'm sure some of you caught that show! You go, girl! Llamas learn hand signals quite easily, but they don't really like showers much....
Ya all come on over to the Konza Camp and maybe you can pet our llamas, if we aren't out roaming around the camp. Maybe next year we can start the rental business for your gear-hauling needs.
And for those of you who are really curious to learn more, I have a very rudimentary web page up that shows one of ours born this spring, complete with sound effects so you can learn about their noises. Just go to http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~cgriffin/new.htm And for a basic info page about llamas, go to http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~cgriffin/bhfacts.htm
(Ok, Kathy and Margaret! You finally got me going about llamas!)
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Blue Heron Web Production by Charlie Griffin We may not know much about web page construction yet, since we just got the scanner yesterday, but we sure haven't lost our sense of humor!
1998