Wyoming Oldtime Fiddlers Contest May 30-31

From the May 13 issue of the Little Chicago Review:

The 36th Annual Wyoming Oldtime Fiddlers Contest will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31, in Thermopolis.

This year’s judges are Nancy Padilla, Bozeman, Montana; Natalie Padilla, Greeley, Colorado, and Tyler Enders, Casper.

The contest is nationally sanctioned by the National Oldtime Fiddle Association, Weiser, Idaho. Winners qualify to compete in the national contest June 22-27. The contest will begin at 9:30 a.m. daily in Hot Springs High School Auditorium, 415 Springview. Other activities include mini-workshops by the judges, judges’ performances and plenty of jam sessions. A traditional pig roast will be held Saturday, starting at 5:30 p.m., at Ralph Witters Elementary, 215 Springview. Performing at the pig roast will be “Ana & Friends” from Casper, followed by an informal jam session of local musicians. Tickets for the pig roast are $10 at the door.

The mini-workshops for fiddle and guitar will start at 7:30 p.m. at the school. Early sign-up is recommended since space is limited. Workshop fee is $20; bring your own instrument.

Tickets for the contest are available at the door. All-day adult tickets (ages 19-60) are $10 Saturday and $12 Sunday. Tickets for ages 6-18 are $5 Saturday and $7 Sunday. Seniors (61+) are $8 on Saturday and $10 Sunday. Ages five and under are free. Family tickets (two adults, two children are $20 the first day $22 on Sunday.

The event is sponsored by Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation, Wyoming Arts Council with funding in part from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wyoming State legislature; Wyoming Oldtime Fiddlers Association, Hot Springs / Thermopolis Lodging Tax Board, Thermopolis / Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce and Hot Springs County Schools. Corporate sponsors include ConocoPhillips and TCT.

Old-time fiddle style is based on fiddle playing of the late 19th and 20th century. Different rhythms were developed to accompany dance steps of different countries. Early string bands modified the traditional styles, and these formed the development of both country and bluegrass music.Contestants must play at least two traditional styles, including a hoedown and a waltz. There are also twin fiddle teams as well as a no-holds barred category. An awards ceremony will be held after final performances on Sunday, usually about 3 p.m. This is the third year that the contest has been held in Thermopolis. Shoshoni sponsored the contest for 33 years.

Contest rules, participant forms and more details are available on the web at http://www.hsglf.org/ or call 307-921-8120.