ATHENS – Athens State University will be welcoming old time music lovers of all ages to campus this week for the 57th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention.
This is also the 100th anniversary of the first Athens Fiddle Contest in 1924.
Musical competitions will be held on the Main Stage, sponsored by Goodwyn Mills Cawood and Martin & Cobey, in front of Founders Hall and the Delmore Brothers Stage in McCandless Hall, sponsored by Renewal by Andersen, with over $47,000 in prize money to be awarded. Proceeds from the convention fund student scholarships and other university projects.
The entertainment steps off tonight at 7:30 with a free preview night featuring Darin & Brooke Aldridge.
The concert line-up:
- Today, 7:30 p.m. – Darin & Brooke Aldridge. (Special Gospel Concert) Free Preview Night – No Admission Ticket Required
- Thursday, 6:30 p.m. – The McLain Family Band
- Thursday, 7:30 p.m. – Authentic Unlimited
- Friday, 6 p.m. – Darin & Brooke Aldridge
- Saturday, 7:30 p..m. – Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
All concerts 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 convention has attracted more than 15,000 people, with more than 200 musicians participating. Competitions will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and resume at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The convention concludes Saturday night with the crowning of the Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion.
Schedule
Friday
- 7 p.m. – Main Stage at Founders Hall
Harmonica, Mandolin, Bluegrass Banjo, Dobro
- 7 p.m. – Delmore Brothers Stage at McCandless Hall
Dulcimer, Old Time Singing
Saturday
- 9:30 a.m. – Main Stage at Founders Hall
Old Time Banjo, Classic Old Time Fiddler, Senior Fiddler, Old Time String Band, Bluegrass Band, Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion - 9:30 a.m. – Delmore Brothers Stage at McCandless Hall
Beginner Fiddler, Apprentice Fiddler, Guitar Finger Picking, Guitar Flat Picking, Beginner Guitar, Beginner Mandolin, Beginner Banjo - 2 p.m. – Brown Hall Stage (sponsored by Pettus Plumbing & Piping)
Appalachian Buck Dancing
Finals will begin on the Main Stage at Founders Hall immediately after all of the preliminary rounds of competitions have concluded. All individual categories will be designated Alabama State Champion, and the open fiddle category will be designated Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion.
Arts, crafts, and food vendors
Approximately 150 booths featuring old-fashioned arts and crafts will be open for business in the Nanny’s Old Fashioned Lemonade Craft Vendor Area. Convention goers will see everything from traditional artwork to coal-fired metal works. Food vendors will also be on hand at the Pepsi Food Court to provide anything from a quick snack to a full meal.
Tradeshow
The Jerry McGlocklin Music Store in the Sandridge Hall Ballroom features vendors selling instruments and accessories, along with Luthier demonstrations.
Workshops
Guitar, mandolin, and fiddle workshops for emerging musicians of all ages and abilities will be offered Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. Located outside the Convention gates in Kares Library, the workshops are free.
Afterwards, there will be a Jam Session at Kares Library from 4-6 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. No admission tickets are required for either the workshops or jam session since the location of these events is outside the Convention gates.
Tickets
Single day admission are $20 per adult for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. A 3-Day Weekend Pass option is also available for $30 per adult. Children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.TVOTFC.org. The purchase of an admission ticket includes access to all convention entertainment, events, and activities as well as entry to one competition category.
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