Dateline: August 23, 2024, Athens, AL – Athens State University will be welcoming old time music lovers of all ages to campus from October 2-5, 2024 for the 57th Annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. This year we’re also celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the very first Athens Fiddle Contest that was held in Limestone County, Alabama in 1924.
Musical competitions will be held on the Main Stage, sponsored by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) and Martin & Cobey, in front of Founders Hall and the Delmore Brothers Stage in McCandless Hall, sponsored by Renewal by Andersen, with over $47,000 in prize money to be awarded. Proceeds from the convention fund student scholarships and other university projects throughout the year.
Entertainment:
The 2024 Fiddlers Convention’s concert line-up includes:
- Wednesday, October 2 at 7:30 pm – Darin & Brooke Aldridge (Special Gospel Concert) *Free Preview Night – No Admission Ticket Required*
- Thursday, October 3 at 6:30 pm – The McLain Family Band
- Thursday, October 3 at 7:30 pm – Authentic Unlimited
- Friday, October 4 at 6:00 pm – Darin & Brooke Aldridge
- Saturday, October 5 at 7:30 pm – Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
All concerts will take place on the Main Stage at Founders Hall. Access to all Fiddlers Convention entertainment is included with the purchase of an admission ticket.
Competitions:
Historically, the convention has attracted more than 15,000 people, with more than 200 musicians participating. Competitions will begin at 7:00 pm on Friday, October 4, resume at 9:30 am on Saturday, October 5, and conclude with the crowning of the Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion on Saturday evening.
2024 Competition Schedule
Friday, October 4
- 7:00 pm – Main Stage at Founders Hall
Harmonica, Mandolin, Bluegrass Banjo, Dobro
- 7:00 pm – Delmore Brothers Stage at McCandless Hall
Dulcimer, Old Time Singing
Saturday, October 5
- 9:30 am – Main Stage at Founders Hall
Old Time Banjo, Classic Old Time Fiddler, Senior Fiddler, Old Time String Band, Bluegrass Band, Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion
- 9:30 am – Delmore Brothers Stage at McCandless Hall
Beginner Fiddler, Apprentice Fiddler, Guitar Finger Picking, Guitar Flat Picking, Beginner Guitar, Beginner Mandolin, Beginner Banjo
- 2:00 pm – Brown Hall Stage (sponsored by Pettus Plumbing & Piping)
Appalachian Buck Dancing
Finals will begin on the Main Stage at Founders Hall immediately after all of the preliminary rounds of competitions have concluded. All individual categories will be designated Alabama State Champion, and the open fiddle category will be designated Tennessee Valley Fiddle Champion. All competition categories have eight (8) award places with a cash prize for each place.
Bank Independent Cash Giveaway:
Convention guests will also have the opportunity to enter the annual Bank Independent Cash Giveaway. Drawings will be held twice a day for a total of $500 on Thursday, $1,000 on Friday, and $1,000 on Saturday.
Arts, Crafts, and Food Vendors:
Approximately 150 booths featuring old-fashioned arts and crafts will be open for business in the Nanny’s Old Fashioned Lemonade Craft Vendor Area. Convention goers will see everything from traditional artwork to coal-fired metal works. Food vendors will also be on hand at the Pepsi Food Court to provide anything from a quick snack to a full meal.
Tradeshow:
Be sure to visit the Jerry McGlocklin Music Store located in the Sandridge Hall Ballroom. The Music Store features vendors selling instruments and accessories, along with Luthier demonstrations.
Workshops:
Guitar, mandolin, and fiddle workshops for emerging musicians of all ages and abilities will be offered on Saturday, October 5 beginning at 1:00 pm. Located outside the Convention gates in Kares Library, these workshops are FREE and open to anyone who is interested! Thank you to CB&S Bank for sponsoring this year’s Strings Workshop!
Afterwards, there will be a Jam Session at Kares Library from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. This event will also be free and open to the public. No admission tickets are required for either the workshops or jam session since the location of these events is outside the Convention gates.
Tickets:
Single day admission will be $20 per adult for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. A 3-Day Weekend Pass option is also available for $30 per adult. Children under 12 will be admitted free with a paid adult. The preview night concert scheduled for Wednesday evening is free and does not require the purchase of an admission ticket.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.TVOTFC.org.The purchase of an admission ticket includes access to all convention entertainment, events, and activities as well as entry to one competition category. Additional competition entries may be purchased for $5 each, or $10 for a band.
Sponsors:
Special thanks to all of the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention sponsors and supporters:
- Goodwyn Mills Cawood (Founders Hall Main Stage Sponsor)
- Martin & Cobey (Founders Hall Main Stage Sponsor)
- Pettus Plumbing & Piping, Inc. (Brown Hall Stage Sponsor)
- Renewal by Andersen (Delmore Brothers Stage Sponsor – McCandless Hall)
- Fink’s Music (T-Shirt Sponsor)
- Redstone Federal Credit Union (Wristband Sponsor)
- Breeze Airways (Backstage Sponsor)
- Nanny’s Old Fashion Lemonade (Craft Vendor Area and Shade-Tree Picking Area Sponsor)
- Pepsi (Food Court Venue Sponsor)
- Bank Independent (Cash Giveaway Sponsor)
- CB&S Bank (Strings Workshop Sponsor)
- Winsupply of Huntsville (RV Campground Sponsor)
- The Orthopaedic Center – TOC Athens (Shuttle Sponsor)
- Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
- Alabama Tourism Department
For more information about the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention, please visit www.tvotfc.org or call the Athens State Office of University Advancement at (256) 233-8190.