Fiddlers set for weekend

String musicians of all ages will be gathering in Sparta on Friday and Saturday, July 20 and 21 for the Alleghany County Fiddler's Convention.

The convention is an annual attraction for bluegrass and old time musicians from around the area who compete for prizes or gather to play in gatherings around the fairgrounds. The event is also fast becoming a large attraction for folks who like to hear the traditional music of the mountains.

Contests and exhibition opportunities for dancers also abound at the weekend event.

The convention is in its seventh year at the Carlisle Higgins Agricultural Fairgrounds on U.S. 21 north in Sparta. It is sponsored by the Sparta/Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department and Alleghany Fairgrounds Inc., both nonprofit organizations.

This year the convention will be turned over to the Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department, according to Lynn Worth, one of the convention's founders. "The firemen have been helping with the convention for the past several years and have done a great job learning all about it, so it won't even miss a beat," Worth said. "People can expect the same good music and smooth operation."

The convention began in 1995, the brainchild of a number of Alleghany bluegrass and old time musicians. Proceeds for the event were originally slated to serve as a fundraiser for the fairgrounds.

Worth said the founders feel the convention has out-grown the small group of founders. "We felt it needed a good, strong, self-perpetuating organization behind it. The firemen are certainly that," she said. "And they were interested in the convention as a fundraiser for their department."

Since the event began, it has raised more than $70,000 for the fairgrounds, which was used for facility improvements. "The fairgrounds still has lots of needs, but other organizations are continuing their work toward supporting and improving the facility," she said. "We appreciate the way our community has gotten behind this event and made it a success. I'm sure the fire department will find the same support."

Worth added, "In a way, it's sad turning the convention over to another group, but it's in good hands."

Sparta fireman Trever Nichols said the firemen started out parking vehicles and operating the gate at the event, but their role gradually grew.

"They had eight people on a committee who put this on each year," Nichols said. "This is too much for eight people to get done. It is also a good opportunity for the fire department to raise some money.

"We're looking forward to making it a yearly event for the department," he added.

Nichols said that no changes are planned at the event this year, with the possible exception of expected increases in competitors and campers. "This thing has been growing every year," he said. While space will eventually limit camping at the fairgrounds, Nichols said, "The more the merrier."

The convention will also serve as a fundraiser for other departments, Nichols said. Firemen from Glade Creek will park cars this year for a donation.

"We are going to give each department a chance to raise money through the event by parking cars," he said. A different department will be selected every year.
 
 

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