JULY 29, 2010 ISSUE
40th Annual Ashe Fiddlers Convention August 6 and 7
The annual Ashe Fiddlers Convention has attracted talented musicians to the Town of Jefferson in Ashe County Park for 40 years. Only traditional and authentic music and songs are performed, on authentic instruments in an audience-friendly atmosphere and as part of a competition. Photo courtesy of Ashe Fiddlers Convention ArchivesOn Friday and Saturday, August 6 and 7, the Rotary Club of the Jeffersons will host its 40th annual Ashe Fiddlers Convention. Held at the Ashe County Park, the convention begins at 3:00 p.m. Friday, and gates open at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. The event is for the benefit of scholarships for local high school students plus other Rotary Club projects and to honor and preserve mountain music. The venue also serves as an opportunity for up and coming talent as well as seasoned performers to test their musical chops, as the convention awards more than $3,600 in prize money to various contestants.
“The past couple of years, the convention has mostly improved because they have listened to the musician’s input,” said Amanda Wright Spencer of The Crooked Road Ramblers Band and a promoter of the convention. “And just everyone working with volunteers and making it run smoothly, plus making it into a two-day including Friday night is new. People will be jamming and hanging out Friday afternoon.”
The organizers are trying to encourage people to attend Friday as well as Saturday and the Ashe County Park lends itself to the possibility of having a mini vacation.
“It will be cooler in the evening if people start coming on Friday,” said Spencer. “The park has a playground, disc golf, a pond, a basketball court, a skateboard park, picnic shelters and a museum—really something for everybody.”
In keeping with the family friendly atmosphere, the park offers camping for only $10 per night per space without electricity or $15 per night per space with electricity.
“The two emcees for the convention are really well known in the area,” said Spencer. “They are Harold Mitchell and Cindy Baucom. She is from Ashe County and has the nationally syndicated radio show, Knee Deep in Bluegrass. Just bring a blanket, quilt or chairs and enjoy the music!”
History of the Ashe Fiddlers Convention
The Ashe Fiddlers Convention—also known as Ashe County Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers Convention—is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. In the early days before the convention, The Rotary Club of the Jeffersons changed direction, moving from horses and an annual horse show, to a fiddlers convention to raise money for the Ashe County students. First chaired by the late Earl “Doc” Hightower, the committee then responsible for coordinating the Ashe fiddlers Convention exists today.
Eight Rotarians purchased the Ashe County Park because the land formed a natural amphitheatre, surrounded as it were by a ring of mountains. So the park has become an integral player in the success and longevity of the Ashe Fiddlers Convention and the evolution of the event continues to this day. That first convention awarded $1,000 in prize money, that has led to more than $560,000 being awarded in scholarships through the years. The physical aspects, the nuts and bolts that literally formed those first conventions have changed dramatically as well: The original stage was built from an old porch roof, jacked up on poles for support; it is a bit updated now—a professional musician’s performance stage.
Tickets and Camping
Advance tickets cost $8 each night or $13 for a weekend pass. The cost for non-advance tickets is $10 each night or $15 for a weekend pass.
Children 12 years and under are admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult. Purchase advance tickets at the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce by calling 336-846-9550.
Camping is available for the entirety of the convention and costs $10 per night, no electricity; $15 per night, with electricity.
The event will be held rain or shine.
For more information, click to www.ashefiddlersconvention.com.
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