All three fiddlers conventions canceled again

ASHEBORO — March usually means music the first three weekends of the month. Annually, Star, Highfalls and Seagrove Fiddlers’ conventions are held respectively on the first three Saturdays. 

However, due to restrictions still surrounding the pandemic, the musical talent contests will not be held for the third year in a row.

In 2020, Star held its competition on the first Saturday, then with COVID-19 rapidly spreading, both Highfalls and Seagrove Fiddlers’ Conventions were canceled.

There are still plans in the works. The Halcyon Women’s Club hosts the Star Convention. This would have been the 91st Annual, the oldest music event of its type in the state of North Carolina. 

Mary Callicutt of the club shared, “The Star Fiddlers’ Convention is being postponed until fall with details to follow.”

The Highfalls Fiddlers’ Convention, typically held the second Saturday in March in North Moore High School’s auditorium, serves as a benefit for Highfalls Elementary School. This year would have been the 85th annual event.

Susan Paschal, Highfalls Elementary Media Specialist, stated, “Due to continued issues and uncertainty in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Highfalls Fiddlers’ Convention will not take place in 2022. We will be revisiting having the event next year! 
“This year, we are planning to hold an outdoor event on Saturday, April 23, on our Highfalls Elementary campus. This event for our families and school community will include food, games, local musicians and other family fun. If you are interested in playing at the event, please contact me for more information. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer prize money, ribbons or trophies for this event.”

Seagrove Fiddlers’ Convention is also on hold at this point. 

“We checked with the school, they’re not going to let us have it this year.” promoter Linda Loggains said. “I was hoping that we could have it, but the system is not letting big numbers (of people) gather at the school.”

The next scheduled bluegrass music events in the area are Tim Moon’s band, True Grass, at the Sunset Theatre on March 18 and the Big Lick Bluegrass Festival near Oakboro in Stanly County, slated for April 21-23. 

For details on Friday Night Bluegrass, visit www.asheboronc.gov/theatre. 

For more information on the music festival, visit biglickbluegrass.com or call Jeff Branch at 704-985-6987.