You may register up until halfway through the contest you are entering – possibly later if time allows. Registration will take place at the tent in the stage field beginning at 2 pm on Friday and 10 am on Saturday. You must have purchased a contestant wristband to register.
Bands will register under band name. Fiddle and banjo players may only play with one band. Other players may play in other band configurations as needed. Individual members may enter as many individual contests as they like.
Contestant wristbands are $20 and must be purchased at the gate (or online in advance). If you are attending the convention on Saturday only, a contestant wristband is $15.
Everyone entering a contest (excluding dancers and children 15 & under) must purchase a contestant wristband, even if your admission is free. Any musicians being paid to play for dances or showcases are ineligible to compete, though volunteering musicians may enter the contest.
All songs must be from the public domain, i.e. no copyrighted music.
To be eligible to win, bands must play both Friday and Saturday nights. Bands will play two tunes on Friday, if time allows, and one tune on Saturday.
To qualify, a band must consist of at least 3 different string instruments, one being a fiddle or banjo. Up to seven members allowed in band.
Each individual contestant may have one musical accompaniment including folk song. Backup instrument will be different from contestant instrument.
Playing time is limited to four minutes.
Dobros and dulcimers enter the “Other Stringed Instrument” Category on Friday.
Acoustic, non-electrical instruments only.
The children’s individual instrument categories are for contestants age 15 and under. These competitors receive free admission/contest entry. Children under 15 may enter an adult contest by purchasing an adult contestant wristband. They may ONLY enter ONE OR THE OTHER, not both. The band contest has no age restriction.
Adult Dancers will perform after band competition Saturday night. Registration for this contest will now open on Friday along with other all other registrations. Youth Dancers will perform after youth individual competition on Saturday. Youth dancers may only enter the dance contest, not other instrument.
No taps in dance.
All sales final – no exchanges or refunds. Lost, damaged or mutilated wristbands will not be replaced or reimbursed.
By performing, all contestants agree that the sponsor may record and reproduce performances free of claim by contestants.
Judges’ decisions are final.