Fiddle Fest and Southeastern Fiddle Championship Returning to Shelton State on February 22
January 15, 2025 – In the tradition of the McFarland Mall Bluegrass and Fiddle Championship and the Black Warrior Fiddle Fest, Fiddle Fest and the Southeastern Fiddle Championship will return to Shelton State Community College on Saturday, February 22 on the College’s Martin Campus. The one-day festival will be a family-friendly event celebrating the rich sounds of bluegrass and fiddle music and its talented musicians. Arts, crafts, food vendors, and family activities will be ongoing throughout the day. Admission to the festival and entry in competition categories are free.
Festivities of the day will include the 9th Annual Southeast Fiddle Championship. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. and competition will begin at 9:00 a.m. Over $10,000 in prize money will be awarded in a variety of categories with top prize money being awarded to the first-place bluegrass band, as well as the grand champion fiddle player.
Fiddle Fest serves as an ongoing effort to maintain the traditions of bluegrass and “old-time fiddle music.” The event has been made possible by financial donations from the Community Foundation of West Alabama, Visit Tuscaloosa, and the Alabama State Council on the Arts with generous support from Shelton State Community College. Additional funding has been secured from other sponsors in the West Alabama community. These sponsors include American Fiberglass, Houston Hydra-Steam, and Tuscaloosa Radio with additional support provided by the Ray Foundation.
“We are looking forward to this year’s competition,” shared Glenn Taylor, President/CEO of the Community Foundation of West Alabama. “We’ve already seen an increase in contestant registration ahead of the event, so we are preparing for a very exciting day of terrific music and fun.”
For more information on the festival and a complete list of competition categories, follow @alabamafiddle on Facebook and Instagram or visit Fiddle Fest 2025. Registration remains open for all those interested in competing, volunteering, or participating as a vendor.
For additional information about fine arts opportunities at Shelton State, visit sheltonstate.edu.
