2023 Abingdon Fiddler's Convention results

Located on the Washington County Fairgrounds in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, the Abingdon Fiddlers’ Convention returned this past weekend for its second year. It is the region’s largest bluegrass and old-time competition. $7,500 in cash prizes along with beautiful handcrafted iron work trophies were awarded in both adult and youth divisions. Competitors, who came from a number of states, also were eligible for door prizes from local business donors.

Jennifer Blankenship, chair of the Abingdon Fiddlers’ Convention Committee and a board member for the Washington County Fairgrounds, explained the history behind the event.

“In August of 2021, while working on our county fair, Tonya Tripplet with the Town of Abingdon asked if I had attended the Galax Fiddlers’ Convention. I replied, ‘Of course, I’ve been going since 2016. My 2-year-old son competed at Tazewell Fiddlers’ Convention and Galax that same year.’ She suggested that we sponsor a fiddlers’ convention in Abingdon. I replied, ‘Let’s do it!’ (Not knowing if we had lost our minds or were ready for an adventure.)

The majority of our volunteers last year had never attended a fiddlers’ convention, only livestock shows and county fairs. Thankfully, we had a couple folks on board from the bluegrass and old-time world. We gave it our best shot and felt the first year turned out pretty good, but had room for improvement. Over the past year, we attended conventions all over, asked questions, and partnered with experts in the industry to try and bring a bigger and better convention in 2023.”

Blankenship and her volunteer staff’s efforts paid off with more competitors this past weekend.

“The amount of contestants increased this year. We had visitors from Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and Virginia. It’s encouraging to hear professionals that were in attendance say, they would have never imagined our convention to look like it did in year two. The exciting part is we have friends in the community that attended, and are encouraged to see our event grow. They are already on board as volunteers for 2024. It takes a village to put on an event like this, and we couldn’t do it without every single volunteer.”

Plans are already underway for next year’s event.

“We still have room for improvements. Our volunteer staff has a follow-up meeting next week to discuss what worked and what didn’t, and start planning for 2024. It’s going to take a few years for it to fall into place. Simple suggestions were given, such as: placing the MC closer to the stage worker for swifter transitions between competitors, adding more walkie-talkies at the stage, improving the registration process, and studying the schedule for both days. Not knowing if we will have 50 or 250 compete makes it challenging to plan. We want to make it as welcoming and convenient to our musicians, and have a better scheduled time line so everyone knows when their category competes. Also, we hope to have more camping hookups available for next year. The supporters that returned from last year said they could tell how much effort we had put into making the event even better.”

Tim White served as the convention’s MC, and the Tennessee Bluegrass Band performed and provided instrument workshops for attendees.

Lincoln Hensley, banjoist with the Tennessee Bluegrass Band, shared, “This was our first time at the Abington Fiddlers convention, and only their second time having the event. I have to say, after going to many fiddlers’ conventions throughout the years, Abingdon is doing theirs RIGHT: plenty of room for jamming and a great family atmosphere. There was a lot of talent that crossed the stage in those two days, and the Tennessee Bluegrass Band was sure proud to get to be a part of hosting it, and doing a workshop this year. There was a great crowd and it was the perfect weather for a day of music. This event has the potential to be THE EVENT of the year in our area. If I could give you any advice for those that missed it this year, go ahead and put next year’s dates on your calendar now!”

Photographer, G Nicholas Hancock, stated, “I thoroughly enjoyed the convention. They have a beautiful location and excellent facilities for the event. The quality of music in the competitions was high, and having The Tennessee Bluegrass Band as special entertainment just added to that quality. I predict that in three more years this will be one of the top fiddlers’ conventions in the country. It is already in my top three favorites.”

Blankenship concluded, “We moved our date two weeks later next year due to how the calendar falls, June 21-22, 2024. It will be Mount Airy Fiddlers’ Convention, Wayne Henderson’s festival, and then us.”

Winners for this year’s competition were:

Youth Fiddle (Bluegrass)