Traditional Arts Indiana State Fair Fiddle Contest

THE TRADITIONAL ARTS INDIANA STATE FAIR FIDDLE CONTESTS

2009

This year's fiddle contest was marked by a change of venue. The contest took up quarters in the big barn at the Pioneer Village. This venue attracted a much bigger crowd than the other years, lending a pleasant down home atmosphere.

2008

TAI was proud to once again sponsor the fiddle contest at the State Fair. Fiddling contests have long been a way for fiddlers to demonstrate their talents, hone their skills, and connect to other musicians. It is not uncommon for fiddle contests to draw contestants from other parts of the country, and this year's state fair contest drew participants from Indiana and neighboring states. Though all the musicians were serious about their performances, many see it as more of a communal activity, a way to meet and hear other fiddlers. As one older participant commented, "it's just a fun thing to do. You get to hear how others play and maybe meet some people."

Each contestant was asked to play an old-time tune, a waltz, and a song of their choosing, which is standard practice in fiddle contests to test the player's rhythm and range.

The 11 and Under category was won by Liam Perlstein of Morton Grove, Illinois, and second and third place were taken by brothers Cole and Connor McCracken from Fredericksburg, Indiana.
The 12-17 winner was Doug Fleener from Kentucky, with second going to Emily Wagner and third snagged by Marushka Grogan in a sudden-death "fiddle off."
Andy Houck (18 years old) of Newburgh, Indiana beat out contestants more than twice his age in the 18 and Up category. One older fiddler commented of the "hot licks" of the younger players, admiring their skill and happy to see such enthusiasm among young people.
Luther Hampton won a special ribbon for best "Old-Time Fiddle."

Backstage in between performances and while waiting to go on, participants came together to practice, jam, warm up, and make some new friends.

After the winners were announced and the ribbons awarded, the three judges, Vi Wickam, Carolyn Dutton, and Ken Stone, led the entire group of contestants from all age categories in a round of the old standard, "Bile Them Cabbage Down." This allowed each fiddler a chance to show his or her own style and reminded everyone that there is nothing cutthroat about a fiddle contest, but rather, that it is a place to come together around a common love of music.

The 2007 TAI State Fair Fiddle Contest

2007
In 2007, the Indiana State Fair was once again the venue for the TAI Indiana State Fair Fiddle Competition. Tropies and awards were granted to three different categories: ages 11 and under, ages 12-17, and ages 18 and above. In addition, there was a special old time fiddling award. Judges for this year's competition were Teri Klassen from Bloomington, Harold Klosterkemper from Greensburg, and Julane Lund from Mooresville. This year marked the fifth consecutive year when the Indiana State Fair and Traditional Arts Indiana have collaborated to present this valuable event to showcase Indiana's many fiddle styles, from bluegrass and old-time to western swing, and to offer Indiana's many fiddlers from all generations an opportunity to cultivate and present their fiddling skills.

Contestant and teacher Louie Popejoy warms up before performing in the 2005 TAI Indiana State Fair Fiddle Contest. Photo by Ilze Akerbergs

2006

The 2006 TAI Indiana State Fair fiddle competition contestants. Photo by Jon Kay

In 2006, contestants played various musical genres, from western swing and bluegrass to old-time and Irish fiddling. Spectators heard players from a wide range of musical backgrounds. In fact, this year’s winner in the open division was Julane Lund, a player from Mooresville, who plays a Norwegian style of fiddle called hardanger. The competition was so fierce in the adult division, that the judges requested a play off between Deb Shebish and Julane Lund. Winning in the old-time category for the second year in a row was Harold Klosterkemper, a master fiddler from Greensburg, Indiana.

This year, there were 38 competitors in three age divisions. The judges were picked from fiddle contest winners from previous years: Olivia Smiley and Vi Wickam. Brad Leftwich, a well known old-time fiddler from Bloomington, was the third judge.

2005
2005 marked the third annual TAI State Fair Fiddle Contest. Kathleen Doolittle from Highland placed first in the 11 & under category. Olivia Smiley from Greensburg won first prize in the 12-17 years of age cateogy. Vi Wickham won the 18 & above category, while the special old time fiddling award went to Harold Klosterkemper from Greensburg. Founding director of the American Folklife Center and master fiddler Alan Jabbour was the guest fiddle performer for this year's event.

Vi Wickam of Evansville, Indiana, won first prize in the Old-Time division at the 2004 TAI Indiana State Fair Fiddle Contest. Photo by Ilze Akerbergs

Smaller contests and gatherings take place all over Indiana -- at county fairs, small opera houses, and outdoor festivals. Traditional Arts Indiana is proud to sponsor this new event, a celebration of Indiana's fiddle tradition.

Scott Conley won the beginner's division of the 2003 TAI Indiana State Fair Fiddle Contest. Photo by Erin Roth

2004
The second Traditional Arts Indiana State Fair Fiddle Contest took place on August 14, 2004 at the WFMS Free Stage. This year, 43 contestants tried their hand at winning a prize, but only 10 fiddlers placed in the three divisions. Half of the contestants were below the age of 14. Judging the contest were three fine fiddlers: Ken Stone, Harold Klosterkemper, and Tony Rothrock.

2003
The summer of 2003 marked the first Traditional Arts Indiana State Fair Fiddle Contest, a friendly competition among some of Indiana's finest fiddlers. Fiddle contests have a long history in the United States, dating back to the early 1700s. And there is no doubt about Indiana's long-standing dedication to the fiddle. For the past 30 years, fiddlers have gathered to perform, trade tunes, and enjoy each other's company at the Indiana Fiddler's Gathering in Battle Ground. The Indiana State Fiddle Championship in southern Indiana has drawn contestants from all over the region since 1983.