The dirt lot at Winslow Baseball Field will rattle at 11 a.m. on Sept. 19 as the 43rd annual Winfest Music Festival kicks off, bringing a heavy dose of banjo, blues, and autumn air to this small town just off Highway 71. Missouri-based bluegrass giants Big Smith, who have long been fixtures in the Fayetteville music scene, lead the multi-stage bill. Joining them on stage are touring bluesman Kris Lager, Little Rock soul artist Trey Johnson, and local folk favorite Sophia Clark. This year’s festival marks nearly four decades of rooting for local and regional acts in a town where high school football often rules the weekend schedule. Organizers have packed the lineup with musicians who know what it means to play in the Ozarks. Lee Zodrow, the piano man of Fayetteville, headlines Friday evenings with his Joplin blues style, while Fayetteville funk and soul group Korey McKelvey Band offers a rhythm-heavy set. The indie pop of Pozie and the harmony-heavy sounds of Jesse Dean in Harmony round out a collection of acts that bridges the gap between jam bands and street-corner performances. Expect the afternoon sun to warm the metal bleachers at 1050 Highway 71 while players tune instruments under the shade of the pavilion. The loud strumming of banjos will likely drift over the fields before the sun dips low, turning the evening into a simmering showcase of roots music. Local favorites Laney Fay, Sam Fagan, and Matthew Harris also take the stage with a mix of acoustic ballads and original songwriting. Gates open at 11 a.m. with music starting shortly after. Bring lawn chairs; once the music starts, the sound drifts out over the fields. Coverage of community music is vital to keep these local stages alive. If you’re planning to attend or spotted a band photo at the event, share it with the [community news team](#). See more events in the NWA Signal calendar.
Source: Fayetteville Flyer
