42nd Annual
Bluegrass & Old-Time
Fiddlers Convention


June 7-8, 2013
Veterans Memorial Park
Mount Airy, North Carolina

 Home  |  Contests  |  Registration  |  Tickets  |  Youth Programs  |  Rules  |   Camping  |  Photos  |  Directions  |  Contact  |  Sponsors

 

Welcome

The Old-Time music tradition born in Surry County and the sounds of sweet music will carry throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains from local, national and international musicians at the Annual Mount Airy Old-Time Fiddlers Convention at Veterans Memorial Park in Mount Airy, North Carolina.

Always held the first weekend in June, this family friendly event brings together musicians and fans for two full days of competition, jam sessions, dancing, singing, education, and family entertainment . This popular festival, established in 1972, is dedicated to old-time and bluegrass music, as well as dance. The Fiddlers Convention features solo and band competitions whose winners are awarded cash prizes.

The Bluegrass & Old-Time Convention takes place rain or shine at the Veterans Memorial Park in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Emcee for this year's event is Lew Bode . Sound System by Brown Communication.

Bring a lawn chair and encourage a sunny weekend. The contest will be held outside if weather permits.

Be sure to come visit Mount Airy during other times of the year as well. Learn more about Surry County Music and take in a show at the EARLE Theatre in downtown Mount Airy. Also, the Andy Griffith Museum  is open 7 days a week and the Surry Arts Council has events going on throughout the year, so there are plenty of reasons to return!

Congratulations to all the 2012 Fiddlers Convention Winners!

 


Schedule

Friday, June 7th

7:00 p.m.  -  All Bands Perform

Saturday, June 8th

9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  -  Folk Song in Grandstand
9:30 a.m.  - 2:00 p.m.   -  Bluegrass & Old-Time 
Banjos
                                             Bluegrass & Old-Time Fiddles
2:00 p.m. -  5:00 p.m.   -  Guitar, Mandolin, Dobro, Bass Fiddle, Dulcimer, Autoharp

5:45 p.m.  -  Youth Dance and Awards
6:00 p.m.  -  All bands perform
Adult dance after the completion of the band competition

Back to Top


Contests

There are two band and twelve individual contests at the Convention, which includes adults and youth competitions. Registration can be made online or by mail.

Band Contests will be held for:

  • Old-Time Band
  • Bluegrass Band

Bands must consist of at least three different string instruments, one being a fiddle or a banjo. Separate contests are held for Youth bands in each category.

Individual Contests will be held for:

  • Bluegrass fiddle
  • Old-time fiddle
  • Bluegrass banjo
  • Old-time banjo (clawhammer)
  • Guitar
  • Mandolin
  • Bass
  • Dobro
  • Dulcimer
  • Autoharp
  • Folk Song
  • Dance

Any individual may register with only one band and may enter dance contest, folk song, and one other instrument contest.

Back to Top


Prize Money

Competition winners are awarded prize money plus ribbons with $2,630 in cash prize awarded to contestants as follows:

Category

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th  
Bluegrass  (Band)  $400 $200 $150 $100 $75 Plus Ribbons
Old Time (Band)  $400 $200 $150 $100 $75 Plus Ribbons
Bluegrass  (fiddle)  $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons
Old Time (fiddle)  $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons
Bluegrass  (banjo)  $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons
Old Time (banjo)  $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons
Guitar     $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons
Mandolin   $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons
Bass       $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons
Dobro      $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons
Dulcimer   $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons
Autoharp   $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons
Folk Song $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons
Dance (Adult) $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons
Dance (Youth) $25 $20 $5 $5 $5 Plus Ribbons

A Trophy is awarded for best up and coming young band
Youth awards for individual competition only

Back to Top


Tickets

General Admission Tickets are cash only and available at the Gate upon arrival.

$10 for Friday
$10 for Saturday
$15 for Contestants
Children 6 and under are FREE with paid Adult

Back to Top


Registration

** The 2014 Registration will be paperless  **

Online registration for the 2013 Fiddlers Convention is now available. Deadline for online registration is Tuesday, June 4, 2013 or Wednesday, June 5th in person. Cash payment is required is required upon arrival.  Remember that registering for a contest means that you have read and understood the rules.

Band Registration

Individual Registration

Back to Top


Camping

Camping at the Fairgrounds includes:
    • 10 Acres of shady woods for camping and picnicking
    • Well-Lighted park
    • Modern Restrooms
    • 2 Large Concession Stands
    • Picnic Sheds
    • 34 Full Trailer Hook-Ups ($30 per night)
    • Electrical Only * $20 per night
    • Dry or primitive Camping on grounds ($15 per night)
    • Camper spots are rented by the day
    • All camps sites allow jamming
    • No drugs and alcohol allowed - laws will be enforced
    • No dogs allowed

*Full hook-up charged if you use electricity or water from hook-up sites

The campground is open the whole week before the festival - come early for jamming every night!

For further information and to make camping reservations, please call Gary Willard 336.345.7388. You may also call Veterans Park at 336.786.2236 and leave message or contact them by email at sshc@surry.net.

Back to Top


Contact Us

Email garyatv@aol.com
Phone

336.345.7388

Mail

Fiddlers Convention
Attn: Gary Willard
P.O. Box 445
Mount Airy NC 27030

Camping

Gary Willard 336.345.7388
Or leave message at Veterans Park
336.786.2236

Youth Programs

Surry Arts Council
arts@surryarts.org
336.786.7998

  Back to Top



Sponsors & Vendors

Please contact Gary Willard at 336.345.7388 or garyatv@aol.com for information on sponsoring the event or becoming a vendor. Sponsors are recognized at the Convention.

20'x20' vendor spaces are available at $50 per day Wednesday to Friday and $75 for Saturday. Spaces are not self-contained. No Food Concessions space available.

Back to Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Website and Photos Copyright 2013 Surry Arts Council