ATHENS – Thousands of old time music lovers and musicians will make their way to Athens next month for the “Granddaddy of Midsouth Fiddlers Conventions.”
The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention returns to the campus of Athens State University for the 57th year Oct. 2-5. Along with the crowning of a new Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddle champion, the three-day event offers concerts, free workshops, food vendors and arts and crafts on a theme of authentic workmanship while celebrating traditional old time music.
The convention attracts approximately 15,000 folk music fans and more than 200 musicians who will be vying for over $47,000 in prize money in 19 different categories of competition, including several fiddle and guitar categories, mandolin, bluegrass, banjo, old time singing and Appalachian buck dancing.
Musical competitions are held on the main stage in front of Founders Hall and the Delmore Brothers Stage in McCandless Hall and get underway 7 p.m. Oct. 4 and resume 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5. Finals are held on the Founders Hall stage immediately after all preliminary rounds of competitions have concluded.
In addition to the competitions, the convention features concerts, some with free admission. All concerts take place on the main stage at Founders Hall.
Access to all Fiddlers Convention entertainment is included with the purchase of an admission ticket.
The concert lineup includes:
- Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m. – Darin & Brooke Aldridge (free preview night/no admission ticket required)
- Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m. – The McLain Family Band
7:30 p.m. – Authentic Unlimited - Oct. 4, 6 p.m. – Darin & Brooke Aldridge
- Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m. – Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Approximately 150 old-fashioned juried arts and crafts booths offering an assortment of items from traditional artwork to coal-fired metal works with an emphasis on handmade creations will be open for business during festival hours and a variety of food vendors will be on hand to provide anything from a quick snack to a full meal.
Be sure to visit the Jerry McGlocklin Music Store in the Sandridge Hall Ballroom for vendors selling instruments and accessories, along with Luthier demonstrations.
A variety of free workshops for emerging musicians of all ages and abilities will be offered 1 p.m. outside the convention gates in Kares Library.
Afterward, there will be a Jam Session at Kares Library from 4 to 6 p.m. This event is also free and open to the public.
No admission tickets are required for either the workshops or jam session since they are outside the convention gates.
Convention guests also have the opportunity to enter the annual Bank Independent Cash Giveaway. Drawings will be held twice a day for a total of $500 Thursday; $1,000 Friday; and $1,000 Saturday.
Single-day admission is $20 per adult. A three-day weekend pass is available for $30 per adult. Children under 12 will be admitted free with a paid adult.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online at www.TVOTFC.org.
Pets, with exception of service animals, and coolers are not allowed. Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
For more information, visit http://www.tvotfc.org.
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