The 12 Best Fiddlers Conventions in the Southeast in 2024

Do you fiddle? If so, you’ve likely heard of a Fiddler’s Convention. While these annual music events span all regions of the United States, they aren’t necessarily on many music lovers’ radars. Fiddlers conventions are hidden gems, as they not only allow up-and-coming stringed instrumentalists opportunities to showcase their talent (with the hopes of winning cash prizes), but these gatherings can provide hours, even days of entertainment to people who love old-time and bluegrass music. Read on to discover the best fiddlers conventions in the Southeast in 2024.

Origins of Fiddlers Conventions in the Southeast 

Fiddle contests, better known as Fiddlers Conventions, find their roots in American folk music and have been in existence since the 1800s. These events were defined by the spirit of competition, created for skilled fiddlers (and later other types of instrumentalists) to showcase their raw talent before a panel of judges as well as an enthusiastic live audience. Prizes, often in the form of cash, were awarded to the best in particular categories, and events varied in importance from local to state to regional. 

Some events were created in order to raise funds for causes or projects. One such example is the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention, which originated in 1967 when some local Limestone County, Alabama fiddlers planned a fiddling competition to raise renovation funds for the Pleasant Point Schoolhouse. The turnout to the contest was so great that it became an annual affair that still goes on to this day.

The earliest fiddlers convention noted historically – the Old Fiddlers Convention in Atlanta Georgia – dates back to the 1880s. More cropped up as time went on in states like North Carolina and Indiana. These contests evolved, some becoming quite theatrical, and other instruments besides fiddles were added to the mix to impress eager spectators in a variety of venues like schools, barns, parks, and fairs. Some were even broadcast over the radio waves.

Fiddler conventions are a rich part of our cultural heritage, and many have lasted for decades, while new ones crop up. All have the goal of providing stages for talented performers and entertainment for attendees. Without further ado, here’s our list of the top fiddlers conventions in the Southeast in 2024.

The Top Fiddlers Conventions in the Southeast in 2024

1. Kentucky State Fiddle Championship

Since 1974, the Kentucky State Fiddle Championship has honored the old-time genre in its recent relocation to Owensboro, within the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum. While competitors are not charged an entry fee, spectators are charged a $10 fee at the door, which includes access to the famed museum.

2. Highfalls Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention

Since 1921, the 89th Annual Highfalls Old-Time Fiddlers’ Convention has allowed many a fiddler and other musicians to compete for cash prizes, trophies, and ribbons in a single evening. Like many fiddlers conventions from bygone days, this one is held in a high school auditorium in the town of Robbins, North Carolina.

3. Upper East Tennessee Fiddlers Convention

In its 6th year, the Upper East Tennessee Fiddlers Convention is another one held in a school–this one the historic Frog Pond School in the town by the same name. It’s sponsored by East Tennessee State University, which has a lauded Department of Appalachian Studies and Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies. Their annual event is more than worthy to be named among the best fiddlers conventions in the Southeast.

4. Florida State Fiddle Contest

As fiddlers conventions in the Southeast were built around the practice of fiddling, the Florida State Fiddlers Association takes that tradition to heart, hosting an annual fiddling contest that is strictly for fiddlers. Memorial Day Weekend of 2024, get ready to hear a vast array of fiddlers compete all day long at the “Under the Oaks” stage at the Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center in White Springs, Florida. The contest will have 5 categories to allow fiddlers of all ages to show everyone else how it’s done. $50 will earn each attendee entrance, registration, and a campsite for the weekend.

5. Bluegrass and Old-Time Fiddlers Convention

Mt. Airy is not just the home of a prominent 42-year-old North Carolina fiddlers convention. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this charming city can also claim the Andy Griffith Museum and the Historic Earle Theater. A weekend at this event will give crowds their fill of fiddling and other competitions, jams, dancing, and craft vendors. Admission is $10/day and $20 if you choose to camp on the grounds.

6. Georgia State Fiddlers Convention

Likely the youngest of the bunch, the Georgia State Fiddlers Convention had a successful first year in 2023 and will take place in 2024 on June 15. This one-day event can be attended for only $5. If you plan to compete, you can register online.

7. Abingdon Fiddlers Convention

The 3rd Annual Abingdon Old-Time, Bluegrass & Gospel Fiddlers’ Convention has had such success that this year the powers that be have expanded it to a 3-day fun-filled event. Competitions in a myriad of traditional and bluegrass categories will go on Friday morning through Sunday afternoon at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Thursday night there will be a BBQ dinner and entertainment to kick off the event, and camping on the grounds is allowed at a reasonable $30. Rates to attend are $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $5 Sunday, or a weekend pass for $25. Kids 12 and under get in free.

8. Tazewell County Old Time & Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention

Two decades old and still going strong, the 21st Annual Tazewell County Old Time & Bluegrass Fiddlers Convention offers competitions at the Historic Crab Orchard Museum’s Pioneer Park in Tazewell, Virginia. Besides the dynamic mountain and bluegrass music performed on the front porch of the rustic Daniel-Murray Homestead Cabin, attendees can enjoy flatfoot dancing, jams, and even cake and pie walks. Attend Friday for $8, Saturday for $10, or the entire weekend for $15, with kids 12 & under getting in free.

9. Old Fiddlers Convention

In its 88th year, the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, Virginia takes the title not only as the oldest fiddlers convention in the world but also the largest one! This six-day Old Time music extravaganza features nightly competitions, beginning with youth competitions on Monday night, and evolving into mainstream competitions on instruments like fiddle, dobro, mandolin, dulcimer, autoharp, and banjo. There’s even a flatfoot dance competition for those willing to kick up some dust.

Camping on the grounds is available, and there are plenty of concessions for eating and vendors to purchase items of interest. Tickets for this legendary event can only be purchased at the gate ranging from $10-$15/day, a 2-day pass for $25, 3-day pass for $35, and a 4-day pass for $40.

10. South Carolina State Fiddling Championship

 The site of the South Carolina State Fiddling Championship is a 52-acre historical site called Hagood Mill which features a grist mill from the 1800s, other frontier outbuildings, classes and workshops, and more. This fiddling competition is not as large as some of the others but its surroundings are a big draw, as well as the talent it attracts.

11. Hoppin John Fiddlers Convention

The Hoppin John Fiddlers Convention provides festive fun for all ages over 3 days the second weekend in September. Attendees can take part in workshops covering subjects teaching flatfoot dancing, Old Time banjo, bluegrass guitar, or harmony singing. There will be square dancing, clogging, and country dance demos, as well as traditional storytelling, and of course, hours and hours of stellar instrumentalists competing to be dubbed the best in their categories. Last year’s weekend rate was $25 in advance and $30 at the gate, with lesser costs for single-day admission.

12. Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention

This October, the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention, located in Athens Alabama, will be in its 57th year. It’s one of the most renowned fiddlers conventions in the Southeast due to the variety it offers visitors. Besides the multiple contests that take place on the front porch of the large antebellum mansion on the Athens State University grounds or in two other locations, stellar headlining performers make the weekend a hit for the thousands of annual spectators. Rhonda Vincent, Daily and Vincent, Ricky Skaggs, and Doyle Lawson are just a few of the famous bluegrass acts that have performed there.

An array of arts and crafts vendors, coupled with a dozen food trucks, make this fiddler’s convention well worth the trip.