ATHENS – Thousands of old time music lovers and musicians will make their way to Athens in October for the “Granddaddy of Midsouth Fiddlers Conventions.”
The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention returns to the campus of Athens State University for the 58th year Oct. 1-4.
Along with the crowning of a new Tennessee Valley Old Time and Alabama State Fiddle champion, the four-day event offers concerts, food vendors and arts and crafts on a theme of authentic workmanship while celebrating traditional old time music.
The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention attracts approximately 10,000 folk music fans and more than 200 musicians who will be vying for over $47,000 in prize money in 20 different categories of competition, including several fiddle and guitar categories, mandolin, band, banjo, old time singing and Appalachian buck dancing.
Musical competitions are held on the main stage in front of Founders Hall, Brown Hall and the Delmore Brothers Stage in McCandless Hall and get underway Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and resume Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. on the Brown Hall Stage and the Founders Hall Main Stage. Finals are held on the Founders Hall stage immediately after all preliminary rounds of competitions have concluded.
The Convention culminates Saturday evening when the new Tennessee Valley Old Time and Alabama State Fiddle champion is announced.
In addition to the competitions, the Fiddlers Convention features concerts, which will 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 line-up includes:
- Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m. – Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers (free preview night/no admission ticket required)
- Oct. 2, 7 p.m. – Pitney Meyer
- Oct. 3, 6 p.m. – Jimmy Fortune
- Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m. – Rhonda Vincent & The Rage
Approximately 150 arts and crafts booths offering an assortment of handmade items and traditional artwork 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 and the Delmore Brothers Museum and Fiddlers Museum located on the ground floor of McCandless Hall.
Single day admission is $20 per adult for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 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.athensfiddlers.org. Pets, with exception of service animals, are not allowed. Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
For more information, visit www.athensfiddlers.org.
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