Volunteer finds a role at Walnut Valley Festival

Judy has long told Hinda stories about the festival — the music, the food booths, the crafts — all the draws that bring people back year after year. And Judy has long worked for a food vendor during the festival. 

Hinda, disabled with lower back problems that keep her in a wheelchair most of the time (she can’t stand with a walker for more than two or three minutes), wanted to get involved a the festival if she could. 

“It seemed to be pretty nice, not much different from a county fair. Judy always talked about how much fun it is,” Hinda said. “And I wanted to volunteer, to get out of the house.” 

Judy got an application for Hinda to fill out. She talked with someone in charge of hiring but then didn’t hear anything for a while. 

When Hinda was contacted by the person hiring her, that person was concerned that they would be unable to find any job where Hinda would be comfortable working because she couldn’t stand. “They weren’t sure what I could do or how I would get there,” she said. 

Though the festival has not had many disabled workers over the years, there have been a few, according to Rex Flottman, WVF spokesperson. 

Winfield CPA Dean Bradbury, who was a paraplegic, worked as a contest auditor for years, Flottman said. 

Others who were somewhat less impaired have worked over the years, but Flottman could not name them. He himself has become physically impaired this year, but it does not keep him from doing his festival work. 

Hinda got a position — eight hours, four checking in vendors on Wednesday and four checking the state of bathrooms on Saturday. 

“If the bathroom needs anything, there’s a phone number I can call,” she said. “And they put me in a place where I can get in and out with my wheelchair.” 

The reward is a wristband that enables her to see all the performers she wishes. She hasn’t gone to see any yet, but she plans to today and Sunday.

Flottman finds the idea of hiring people with disabilities very positive. 

“It might be very encouraging for someone with a handicap to see the story (about Hinda). It may give them the push to try for a job at the festival,” he said. “We are shorthanded this year, so we will be looking for lots of people next year.”

Anyone interested in getting a job at the WVF can go to the festival website to download a Prospective Worker Form. 

“There are lots of options, depending on your flexibility,” he said. 

He also said people with special skills can be very helpful.