The 2022 Michigan Old-Time Fiddle Contest

Matt Merta/Mitch Matthews

Oct 2

All right, I'm a day late again, but I have a good excuse. I spent my afternoon yesterday in New Boston, Michigan at the 2022 Applefest to watch the 35th Annual Michigan Old-time Fiddlers Contest.

Like most outdoor events, the Applefest and the Fiddler Contest were cancelled over the past two years due to the pandemic. It was good to see the contest up and running again, which is more than I can say for the festival itself. It is supposed to be a celebration of the apple, and there was only one tent selling apple pies. The rest consisted of the usual corndog vendors and the rest selling T-shirts, crafts and face painting.

Back to the Fiddler Contest. I wish that more people were interested in this activity. The contest had five entries, which has been about average for the past few years that I have attended. The crowd mainly consists of friends/relatives of the contestants. The contest follows the performance by the local junior high band, so those parents are still talking and taking photos of their kids while the contest is attempting to start. I did see a previous competitor and his wife in the audience, which is good to see, but again, I wish that there were more attending to appreciate what is going on.

Young Tom McKinney has been hosting the contest, taking over for his father Jim who had done it previously over the years. Jim had worked hard to make the contest a true traditional one, requiring contestants to perform a waltz, schottische, reel and jig in a dance-able form. This includes securing judges experienced with old-time fiddling. Years past had local rock band members judging, and winners were usually flashy fiddlers performing non-traditional tunes. The judges also are in a separate booth behind the stage so that they are not influenced by the appearance of the fiddler – just the sound of the fiddle.

Of the five competing, I pretty much figured out the winner even before the performances began. Regional traditional fiddler Trae McMaken (I covered him and his website in a previous blog, https://luegra.design.blog/2022/05/14/trae-mcmakens-michigan-fiddle-website/). When he showed up, I knew that the blue ribbon was his.

Three of the other contestants were regular fiddlers at this and other events that I have attended. However, one fiddler that I was impressed with was a new face. A young girl (unfortunately, I didn't catch her name) that went on last. You could tell that she was nervous, probably the first time that she performed in public. Yes, she made a few mistakes, but she still had enough spirit to go on, even after following someone like Trae. She came in 4th place – not bad for a first-timer, especially since all of the other fiddlers have competed many times.

It would be wonderful to see more contestants in this event, especially the young fiddlers. This is truly an enjoyable event, something that more musicians in the area, be they bluegrassers, young violin students, or fans of traditional old-time music, should come out and watch. This traditional music of past Michigan can only be preserved if those who care will give their support. Let's hope that next year's contest has twice the crowd and twice the contestants!

Chew on it and comment.

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