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Please join us for Fiddles & Folklife 2026! This event is free and open to the public. It takes place at Bryson Gym, the Formal Gardens and the Pavilion at Warren Wilson College.In addition to the music contests, there will be WWC student craft crews demonstrations set up in the gardens, Island FT food truck, and new this year, workshops at the Pavilion!
See the full schedule below. *Subject to minor changes*
11:30am Registration Opens for all contests at Bryson Gym.
CONTEST REGISTRATION IS CAPPED AT 15 CONTESTANTS
*you may not register for a contest you won last year
*you may register for a maximum of three contests
12:00pm Youth Fiddle 12 and Under
Youth Fiddle 13-17
Youth Banjo 17 and Under
Youth Folksong 17 and Under
1pm Ballad singing workshop (Pavilion)
1:45 Youth Awards
2:00pm Adult fiddle contest
2:30pm Adult banjo contest
2:30 Flatfooting workshop (Pavilion)
3:00pm Ballad and folk song contest
3:45pm Flatfooting contest
4:00pm Old-time band contest
4:30pm Instrument Raffle, Adult Prizes
Fiddles & Folklife Contest Rules 2025
If you won first place in a contest last year, you are not permitted to enter the same contest again this year. You may register for a maximum of 3 contests.
Fiddle & Banjo:
Each individual contestant may have at least one accompanist, but not the same instrument as the contestant.
One tune per person. No medleys allowed.
Individuals may enter more than one contest.
The two youth categories are ages 12 and under and ages 13-17.
Old-Time Band:
Old-Time bands will perform 1-2 selections, each limited to three minutes.
Original tunes in the traditional style are allowed.
A band must consist of a minimum of three musicians.
Individuals may not play in more than one band.
No electric instruments are allowed.
Ballad & Folksong Contest
Only folksongs from the public domain – no copyrighted music permitted.
Contestants may sing a cappella or be accompanied by one instrument.
Contestants may not be accompanied by another singer.
Singers are limited to three minutes
Judging Criteria:
Rhythm & Timing
Execution & Technique
Expression & Musicality
Old-time Style & Repertoire
Presentation & Quality
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Event Venue
Bryson Gym, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, North Carolina, United States
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
