Southwestern College is excited to partner with Walnut Valley Festival to bring bluegrass music back to campus on Sept. 9 (compliments of The Urban Spelunkers a band of Builder Alumni) and ALL are invited! On October 23, 1971 The Walnut Valley Folk Festival was born here on campus. The festival is celebrating its 53rd year and thousands of attendees are expected to catch music on the four official stages as well as the numerous unofficial campground stages – the most famous of which is Stage 5 in the Pecan Grove. As the music runs so does a large, quality, juried arts and crafts fair; workshops; and acoustic instrument contests, including two international contests, five national contests and one Walnut Valley contest.