Traditional Arts Indiana State Fair Fiddle Contest

THE TRADITIONAL ARTS INDIANA STATE FAIR FIDDLE CONTESTS

2008

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.