Fiddlers conventions are back, and improved

Three area fiddlers’ conventions return in the span of a little over a month this spring with improvements. 

Admission to each convention is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, free for children under age 6. 

All three contests offer concessions and order of performances will be determined by a lottery drawing prior to competition.

Here’s a look at each:

Star Fiddlers’ Convention

On March 2, the 97th Annual Star Fiddlers’ Convention recommences.

Sponsored by the Halcyon Woman’s Club, they are expanding their youth division (ages 15 and under) into seven individual categories (fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, dobro, and vocal) with prizes for first, second and third place.

The local bluegrass talent contest will be held in its original location, Star Elementary School, 302 South Main St., Star. Doors open at 4. Registration is from 5-6:45 p.m. with a lottery drawing for performance order at 5:45. All acts registering after 5:45 will compete in the order of their registration. 

Competition begins at 6 p.m., an hour earlier than last year. More than $1,500 will be awarded in cash prizes.

Seagrove Fiddlers’ Convention

On March 16, the 69^th Annual Seagrove Fiddlers’ Convention returns to Seagrove Elementary School, 528 Old Plank Road in Seagrove.

Promoter Maxton Byrd and his committee have worked diligently to make this year’s event bigger and better. 

Thanks to corporate sponsor Covanta, Blue Ridge Sound of Morganton will provide quality audio for the event. Blue Ridge specializes in bluegrass and acoustic music amplification. It provides sound for bluegrass festivals such as ones held at Denton FarmPark, Big Lick and Camp Springs.

Prize money has increased almost $1,000 to $2,150 in cash awards.

The talent contest has been expanded to include a full set of youth awards that mirror the adult ones. 

Also, a new category has been added to competition: Harmony singing. 

Registration is from 5-6:45 p.m. with youth competition beginning at 6 p.m. 

Highfalls Fiddlers’ Convention

On April 6, the 2024 Highfalls Fiddlers’ Convention will be back. 

First place band prize is $500. First place individual prizes, both youth and adult, are $50. 

The competition will be held at North Moore High School, 1504 N Moore Road in Robbins. 

Miranda Smith is the promoter. Registration is from 4:30-6 p.m. Competition begins at 6 p.m.