Back in the mid 1980's my girlfriend at the time and I were driving through the town of Weiser Idaho during the time of the Old time Fiddlers Contest which is held annually June 18 through the 23rd. The amount of people even back then was amazing to see in a little town of about 5,000 people. It seemed like there were people from every state in the nation and several from foreign countries.
The National Old Time Fiddler's Contest in Weiser was started back in 1953 and every year growing up I would read about it in the news papers and see it on the news. Fiddler's of every age imaginable would get up on the stage and do their thing.
My girlfriend and I didn't have tickets which have to be purchased a year ahead of time if you want to see the grand finale on Saturday which features the Grand Champions in every age group. My girlfriend and I just sat in the park that Saturday afternoon listening to all the Fiddler's playing in the park and practicing to for the Grand Finale that evening. You should have seen all the people dancing in the park, on the streets and anywhere they could. It was awesome to see everyone having such a great time. Bluegrass, Country, and group jamming was heard everywhere you turned. I remember one young girl was playing the fiddle and an older gentleman was playing the guitar and singing "Just A Swingin" by John Anderson.
So there we are sitting at the edge of the park about 2 hours before show time and a lady walks up to my girlfriend and I and asks us if we want tickets for the Grand Finale. I look at this lady and say "Are you kidding"? She said "No Sir...Another couple was going to come with us and can't make it so we have these extra tickets. You look like a nice young couple and I would like you to have them if you like".
This is what I call one of those "God Things" in life. Here we were 2 hours before the Grand Finale and people buy their tickets for this evening a year in advance. This lady had the kindest and sweetest look in her face as she handed us the tickets. She would not take any money for the ticket and simply said "I hope you have a wonderful time".
My girlfriend and I looked at each other in amazement and could not believe what had just happened to us. I still get goosebumps today thinking of that lady and the amazing display of kindness and generosity she showed us that afternoon.
What we saw that night is what fairytales are made of. It was like we were in the front row seat of the "Grand Ole Opry". Fiddlers of every age imaginable played their hearts out and we never ever had seen anything like this in our lives. It was like going back 100 years and listing to a group of players jamming in the street. It was awesome beyond words.
A good friend of mine, Jenny would later learn to play the Violin with the help of her dad Mark which are great freinds of mine. Jenny got so good that she eventually played at the Weiser National Old Time Fiddlers contest in the 90's. What an honor and what a blessing.
If you love good old fashioned Fiddler music you can log on here and buy a CD that features some of the best music played at the National Old Time Fiddlers contest in 2005. But be prepared to have your feet start moving because if you love music as much as I do you won't be able to sit still!
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Marketed By: George Tallabas - Boise Idaho Real Estate Agent - Associate Broker
with RE/MAX Advantage, Canyon Counties #1 Brokerage in sales and listings
specializing in Boise Idaho Real Estate and Southwest Idaho Real Estate.
George,
That is a wonderful story. It's times like those that make life special, and I felt like I was there too.
Jack
Thank you so much Jack...it was truly an experience of a lifetime. Please give my best to your lovely wife Cyndee and I hope all is well.
Hi George, I love fiddle music and any bluegrass in fact. I have always thought that later in life I would like to learn to play the fiddle. Thanks for sharing!