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ATHENS-Known as the “Granddaddy of Midsouth Fiddlers Conventions” for its role in reviving the tradition of competition in old time music, the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention is celebrated the first full weekend in October each year.
The convention brings some 200 contestants to compete for top prize money. There are 18 different categories, including several fiddle and guitar categories, harmonica, mandolin, bluegrass banjo, dulcimer, old time singing, banjo, and buck dancing. The Convention culminates in a “fiddle-off,” between the top two fiddlers. The winning fiddler is declared “Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddle Champion,” and takes home a trophy and $1000. A total of $11,850 will be awarded to contestants.
The Quad Cities Daily did not “fiddle around’ but snapped a few photos of all the fun and music at the 53rd Annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention….we are pleased to present them to you here:
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