This just in from the Missouri State Fair, attention fiddlers -- or just out-of-work violinists -- out there, you can win some cool cash by performing, one month from today, your best hoedown, waltz and a tune-of-choice at the Missourah Missouri State Fair.
Missouri State Fair News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fiddling Earns Cash at the Missouri State Fair
(JULY 22, 2009,SEDALIA, MO) -- Missouri fiddlers can pick up bows in anticipation of picking up some of the $1,500 in cash prize money at the Missouri State Fair Fiddling Championship Contest on August 23 in Sedalia.
The sanctioned event will be held at the Touchstone Energy Stage on day
11 of the Missouri State Fair with registration beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The contest begins at 1:30 p.m. and will continue until about 5 p.m. or
when the competition is complete.
The stage is located under a large tent with seating to accommodate the
crowd that traditionally gathers to enjoy the lively music, which is
free to the public with Fair admission.
"We attract great talent every year," said Allen Wyatt, the contest
superintendent. "It's a wonderful opportunity for people to display
their fiddling skills or just kick back and enjoy the music."
According to Wyatt, contestants will vie for sizable cash incentives
along with plaques and ribbons in three divisions, sponsored in part by
Wyatt Violin Shop and KC Strings: the junior division is for those ages
16 and under, the senior division is for those ages 60 and older, and
the open division is for all ages.
The contest will also include for the first time a play-off division.
Winners of the junior, senior and open divisions will compete for the
titleMissouri State Fiddling Championwith a special trophy awarded as
well as additional prize money.
Each contestant will play a hoedown, a waltz and a tune-of-choice.
Wyatt said that the contest requires that all selections be danceable
in terms of meter, tempo and style. The number of rounds in each
division and the number of contestants called back will be determined
by Wyatt at contest time. There will also be a guitar accompaniment
contest with one division open for those of all ages.
For contest rules and regulations, visit the Fair's Premium Guide at
mostatefair.com/premium.html, an online resource for competition
information. Wyatt can be reached at 816-252-5656 or
[email protected].
Fiddler competitors are among an estimated 30,000 exhibitors expected
during the 11 day event. In addition to showcasing livestock and
competitive exhibits, the 396 acres will also boast crowd-pleasing free
entertainment like the new Rainforest Experience Live show, sponsored
by Sprint WL, and Bixby's Rainforest Encounters as well as The Amazing
Anastasini Circus sponsored by McDonald's. Visit mostatefair.com for a
preview of this year's lineup.
