Aside from a few younger folks who partied just a little too hard, this year’s Walnut Valley Festival was mostly peaceful, Winfield Police Chief Jerry DeVore said Monday. Overall, just 22 people were arrested or cited for infractions.
“There was really nothing major,” he said. “Mostly run of the mill stuff.”
Of the people cited, most were in the 18 to 20 age range and most, about 14, were cited for consuming alcohol underage. DeVore said early bird campers seemed more numerous than usual this year but he felt like overall attendance was probably down a bit judging by what he saw.
Other minor crimes committed included obstruction of the legal process and possession of marijuana. A couple arrest warrants were also served.
Winfield police did encounter a first at the festival this year ? they took a former president into custody. One music fan got a little rowdy at the festival and would identify himself only as Abe Lincoln. He was eventually arrested when police doubted he was the former, and long-deceased, 15th president of the United States.
“That’s mostly what were dealing with,” DeVore said. “Folks that had a little too much to drink. That gentleman eventually sobered up and was bonded out of jail.”
