Fiddle Fest and Southeastern Fiddle Championship Returning to Shelton State on February 25
January 25, 2023 – In the tradition of the McFarland Mall Bluegrass and Fiddle Championship and the Black Warrior Fiddle Fest and following its 2022 success, Fiddle Fest and the Southeastern Fiddle Championship will return to Shelton State Community College on Saturday, February 25 on the College’s Martin Campus. The one-day festival will be a family friendly atmosphere 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.
This project has been made possible by financial donations from the Community Foundation of West Alabama, Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission, and the Alabama State Council on the Arts with generous support from Shelton State Community College. With additional sponsorship contributions, Fiddle Fest serves as an ongoing effort to maintain the traditions of bluegrass and “old-time fiddle music.”
“Last year’s event was the shot in the arm we needed to continue this important tradition,” stated Glenn Taylor, President/CEO of the Community Foundation of West Alabama. “We are excited to capitalize on the success of 2022 and showcase even more tremendous talent than before.”
Festivities of the day will include the 7th Annual Southeast Fiddle Championship. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. and competition will begin at 9:00 a.m. Over $7,500 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.
In addition to the competition, this year’s festival will feature a 4:00 p.m. performance by Iron Horse. Iron Horse was born as a result of the participation of Tony Robertson, Vance Henry, and Ricky Rogers in the Jake Landers Band. In January 2003, Anthony was asked to fill an opening for a banjo player and the present Iron Horse configuration evolved. Iron Horse creates much of its own music, with an innate ability for cross-genre arrangements. Iron Horse has three self-produced albums, containing previously unreleased compositions, and Iron Horse-composed originals.
Additional funding has been secured from other sponsors in the West Alabama community. These sponsors include 92.1 The Possum, American Fiberglass, Hotel Indigo, Houston Hydro-Steam, Jud & Lisa Cameron Music, SmartBank, Old Cove Golf with additional support provided by Ray Foundation.
For more information on the festival and a complete list of competition categories, follow @alabamafiddle on Facebook and Instagram or visit Fiddle Fest 2023.
For additional information about fine arts opportunities at Shelton State, visit sheltonstate.edu.
