| 117th Year, 50th Issue | Thursday, July 20, 2006 | Sparta, North Carolina |
Pickers and fans of bluegrass and old time music will gather in Sparta this Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22, for the 12th annual Alleghany County Fiddler's Convention.
It will be held at the Alleghany Fairgrounds on U.S. 21 just north of the city limits.
"We're expecting a good convention this year. We're getting swamped with calls and e-mails," said Trever Nichols, member of the Sparta- Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department, which sponsors the event.
Fans will see a continuous show of competition Friday night, all day Saturday and Saturday night, he said. Cloggers and other entertainers will also be featured.
Roni Stoneman of "Hee Haw" television fame will take the stage with children who play string music.
The convention will have competition for junior and senior bands and individuals in old time and bluegrass categories. Winners share $2,850 in cash prizes and will receive ribbons.
The convention opens at 5 p.m. Friday with special entertainment. The contest starts at 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday.
At 5:30 p.m. Saturday, dance competition, cloggers and junior awards will take the stage. Then at 7:30, the top 15 bluegrass and top 15 old time bands will return for championship playoffs.
"The Saturday night show features just the top bands. It's a favorite of the audience," Nichols said. Awards will be given for senior categories at the end of the night.
Tickets are $6 for Friday, $7 for Saturday, or $10 for both days. Children under 12 are admitted free with a paying adult.
Campers are admitted beginning at noon Wednesday, July 19. Spaces are first come, first served for $10 per night per space.
Emcees are Harold Mitchell and Sonia Joines. Vendors will offer food and other items.
Categories are: bluegrass bands, old time bands, old time and bluegrass fiddle, old time and bluegrass banjo, mandolin, guitar, acoustic bass, autoharp, dulcimer, Dobro, vocal and harmonica. Junior categories (age 16 and under) are band, fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass.
Dancers will compete in three age categories—senior (16 and up), junior (9-15) and children's (up to age 8).
Registration for all categories is backstage at the convention. Proceeds go to the Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department and the non-profit fairgrounds for future improvements.
For more information, see www.alleghanycountyfiddlersconvention.com;
e-mail savfd@skybest.com; or call (336) 372-8809.
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