Fiddlers Convention is set this weekend

The Alleghany Fiddlers Convention is set for this Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18 at the Higgins Agricultural Fairgrounds. The Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department was at the fairgrounds early in the week preparing for the arrival of campers, contestants, vendors, and hopefully a good crowd, said Trever Nichols, who is in charge of the event.

"We're hoping for a lot more campers this year. Because of gas prices it was down last year from what it had been in the past," Nichols said. Though there was plenty of music, the number of contestants was also down slightly. But the organizers are optimistic for this year, Nichols said. "We'd like to see more contestants and see the convention get bigger."

The convention features competition for bluegrass and old time musicians and dancers, including categories for adults, youths, bands and individuals.

The event gets underway at 5 p.m. on Friday at the fairgrounds on U.S. 21 just north of the Sparta city limits. It will continue until all contestants who want to compete Friday night have played. Big Country Bluegrass will be featured entertainers on Friday night, along with cloggers.

Competition resumes at 10 a.m. on Saturday. A dance workshop free to convention-goers will begin at 2 p.m. at the picnic shelter, hosted by T. Paul Anderegg. He will teach dance steps from Southwest Virginia and will allow participants time to practice in freestyle sessions.

On stage, dance contests for all ages will be at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Awards for youth competition will be given out after that. Cloggers will also entertain on Saturday.

On Saturday night beginning at 7:30, the top scoring old time and bluegrass bands are brought back to the stage for championship playoffs.

Sonia Joines and Harold Mitchell, who have been emcees for the convention since it began in 1995, will return this year. Winners share $2,850 in cash prizes and will receive ribbons.

Nichols said a good variety of vendors will be at the fairgrounds, including groups that sell food to raise money for local causes.

Tickets are $6 for Friday, $7 for Saturday, or $10 for both days. Children under 12 are admitted free with a paying adult. Camping spaces are first come, first served for $12 per night per space.

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.

Registration for all categories is backstage at the convention.

Proceeds go to the Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department and the nonprofit fairgrounds for future improvements. For more information, see www.alleghanyfiddlers.com; e-mail savfd@skybest.com; or call (336) 372-8809.