The 84th annual Old Fiddlers Contest and Reunion is known nationwide, and as far as we know it, is the oldest such contest that has run continuously year after year.
The big attraction is the Fiddlers Contest, which is broken down into 5 divisions, senior ages 66 and over, adult ages 30-65, young adult ages 19-29, youth ages 18 and under and the Open Division which is for all ages. There will be a playoff between the 1st place winners of each of the five divisions. This will be the Grand Champion and this person will get a Grand Prize of $600, in addition to the $200 which he or she has already won by being the 1st place winner of his/her division.
At 6 p.m., there will be an Acoustic Guitar Picking Competition for all ages. The Fiddlers Contest will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 30 and will run throughout the day. Beginning at 8 p.m., there will be a country western band with professional musicians playing until Midnight for the famous Street Dance.
On Friday night, before the Fiddlers Contest, a Jam Session will take place on the Courthouse lawn at 7 p.m. There will be concession stands along the sidewalks, and a carnival will be set up just off the Courthouse Square.
Schedule: Saturday, May 30
- 9 a.m. Invocation, Welcome Address, Western Swing Band
- 10 a.m. Seniors 66 and Over Contest
- 11 a.m. Adult Ages 30-65 Contest
- 12 noon Western Swing Band
- 1:30 p.m. Adult Ages 30-65 Contest Continued
- 2 p.m. Young Adult Ages 19-29 Contest
- 3 p.m. Youth Ages 18 & Under Contest
- 4 p.m. Open Division, All Ages Contest
- 5 p.m. Grand Champion Playoff
- 6 p.m. Acoustic Guitar Picking Contest
- 8 p.m.-12 Midnight Street Dance
Carnival Hours & Prices
The carnival is located in the City parking lot at the corner of N. Palestine & Larkin Streets and will be open from 6 p.m. to 12 Midnight on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. On Saturday, the carnival will be open from 12 Noon to 12 Midnight. Arm bands are $25 or tickets are $1 each, each ride takes 3-5 tickets depending on the ride.
Mr. James Weaver’s band will kick off the Jam session Friday night and Saturday night street dance, as he will also MC the contest all day Saturday. Kudos to Mr.Weaver for his continued service to this great organization every year.
My husband and I were married on this stage 8 yrs. Ago the 25th of may. Thanks to the record keeping clerk who scheduled it. We had a lot of witnesses too.
Where is it? Did I miss where it said what city it is in?
Nevermind I just saw it is in Athens. Looks like fun.