We had such a great time at the 25th Annual Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival! The Downtown Branson Staff sure know how to make everyone feel welcome. For the past three festivals my family has attended this large event and have always had so much fun. We always love walking around the square and looking at Dick's 5&10, and eating at the Farmhouse Family Restaurant. We like how they serve their fresh southern sweet tea in big mason jars.
It's become a sort of tradition to attend this amazing event. Our favorite part of it is the Mid-American Fiddle Championships that is held during the last two days of the festival.
It takes much time in advance to practice for this contest. I like to narrow down what songs I'd like to do and then practice them every day for a month or more ahead of the contest. The only problem is that the bigger the contest, the bigger the jitters :-) I want to give a big thanks to my amazing accompanist Joe Sites and Bobby Christman!
I do believe that it's more fun to sit and watch all the other competitors then get up there and be one of the competitors. The best part to going to these events is seeing and meeting all the amazing fiddlers that come from far and wide. It was so great to be able to meet Joe and Jacie Sites and Lydia Ryals Stuart. Our whole family enjoyed watching the performance of Ricky Boen (Sons of the Pioneers at Shepherd of the Hills, Branson MO) during the quick break between divisions.
Pee Wee: Tanner Marriott
Junior: River Lee
Senior: Wayne Head
Adult: Marty Elmore
Open: Tom Weisgerber
Accompanist: Anthony Maturee
Mid-American Grand Champion: Tom Weisgerber
Here is a link to a video of Tom Weisgerber playing Cotton Patch Rag:
