National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest & Festival

National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest & Festival The NOTFC is organized for the charitable and educational purposes of preserving and promoting oldt Some of the “old-timers” had trouble adapting.

History of Weiser's Fiddle Contest -

In 1953, the city of Weiser, Idaho began sponsoring an annual contest which has become one of the most formal and prestigious fiddler contests held. In this same year, a contest was held in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, which saw the result of the change in judging. It was now based on standards of skill, hokum was not allowed, and there was a strict time

limit for the contestants. One of the fiddlers, Eck Robertson played “Sally Goodin” which he usually played in about eighteen different ways, and at times took five to six minutes to play all the way through. This year, he was about half way through when the whistle blew, but he just kept on playing until someone came onto the stage and took him off. He was disqualified at this contest but in 1962 he won the senior division at Weiser. The fiddle contests at Weiser today have very clear rules. Each contestant plays three tunes; one of the tunes must be a hoedown, one must be a waltz, the other is a “tune of choice” (something other than a waltz or hoedown). Some contests are held with less restrictions and include audience participation. A time limit is enforced for each fiddler. Contestants are classified into different age groups and judging is based on danceability, oldtime style, rhythm, and tone. If a contestant wins the first round they move onto the second/final round or playoff. At Weiser, competing in all of the playoffs to win the championship takes five rounds and fifteen tunes. One change that has happened in the modern era that began in 1990 or 1991 is that most contests have eliminated the separate ladies division, as acknowledgment that today’s women are as competent as the men and capable of competing on an equal basis. History of the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest & Festival -

Fiddling came to Weiser in 1863 when the Logans established a way station here and covered wagon emigrants stopped for rest and recreation. Newspaper files report fiddling contests here from 1914 to WWI. The resurrection of fiddling in Weiser was due to efforts led by Blaine Stubblefield, Chamber of Commerce Secretary from 1948 until his death in December, 1960. Blaine was raised on fiddling in Oregon’s Wallowa Valley above Hells Canyon. He had spent several years researching fiddle music for the Library of Congress. His interest in the music led him to ask the Chamber Directors to allocate $175 for a fiddle contest. Nothing happened until January, 1953, when the idea was proposed to hold the contest during intermissions of the Fifth Annual Weiser Square Dance Festival. Prize money was underwritten by two individuals and the first official fiddling event came to life on April 18, 1953. It was billed as the Northwest Mountain Fiddlers’ Contest and was a huge success. The name was changed to the Northwest Oldtime Fiddling Championships in 1956 when a regional division was added for out-of- area fiddlers. The present National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest was inaugurated in 1963 in conjunction with Idaho’s Territorial Centennial observances. Through all these years of fiddling in Weiser, the town of 5,200 people pulls hundreds of volunteers together each year in support of their nationally recognized event. This week of intense competition and endless jamming brings together young and old for the purpose of perpetuating fiddling around the world. The National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest now certifies fiddling contests in 29 states in order to facilitate interest and maintain the integrity of fiddling contests. Almost 350 contestants compete in 9 divisions each year. The week long competition also includes musical entertainment nightly from groups from around the U.S. Once you’ve been to the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest you’ll see why Weiser has been recognized as the “Fiddling Capital Of The World”!

The National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest and Festival congratulates Jesse Maw as the 2025 Alabama State Fiddle Champion at ...
10/05/2025

The National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest and Festival congratulates Jesse Maw as the 2025 Alabama State Fiddle Champion at the Tennessee Valley Oldtime Fiddle Convention. As the Certified Alabama State Champion, Jesse is invited to compete in the National Contest, entry paid, alongside all other certified champions from states all across the US.

The National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest & Festival congratulates our 2007 Grand National Champion, Alex Hargreaves, on hi...
09/12/2025

The National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest & Festival congratulates our 2007 Grand National Champion, Alex Hargreaves, on his award of Instrumentalist of the Year at the Americana Music Association's annual event.
As our own Nancy Grindstaff shared, "Weiser has been part of the process for many, many award-winning musicians.... A great local event to take part in and be able to say 'I saw them when....'"

08/14/2025

Weiser’s fiddle contest looks to expand local and national reach
Published by admin on Wed, 08/13/2025 - 7:00pm

By:
Nancy Grindstaff
Rested up after this year’s June National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival, board members Gary and Joya Hill are reporting the contest’s organizers are already eyeing opportunities for 2026.
This year’s contest drew just short of 230 fiddlers and accompanists, coming close to the goal of 250. Not that more wouldn’t be merrier.
“We were down a few, but overall we had 20 in the grand national contest, and we pay all the way through 20 in that, so that was fabulous,” Joya said. “Some of our contestants are aging up into the next level divisions, so, really, we were maybe five off for the most part.”
With just three duos in the under 18 Twin Fiddling division, she is hoping to see more youth enter that contest next year.
“This year’s winners, Jesse Quintana and Ranelle Dietrich, will move into the 18 and over next summer, so we’re hoping to see more younger kids get into it,” she said.
Dietrich’s youngest siblings, Sawyer and Isley, just won theMinnesota State Old Time Contest’s twin fiddling championships, so maybe there’s one more for 2026.
The popularity of fiddle contests across the United States is growing, and the numbers certifying with Weiser’s NOTFC right along with it.
“There are a number of ways they can do it,” Gary said.
“We have a couple of more contests that haven’t been certified before that are just certifying this year, and they’re going to push to get more people,” Joya said.
With new contests joining the ranks of hundreds held across the country every year, there’s not a shortage of chances to enjoy American roots music. In fact, the first edition of the newly organized Western Idaho Fiddle Contest in Meridian played out in early May.
The Hills commended the contest’s founder, Libby Rogers, on its start. Rogers long association with the Junior Jammers, and now a self-employed music teacher, is a steady competitor at Weiser and regularly plays her way into the top five, or to the championship title in numerous contests.
First-place division winners of certified contests qualify to compete in Weiser with their registration fees paid in full.
Fully retired from lifelong careers, the Hills already spend time traveling every year, but said they are also adding more contests to their itinerary, which can only strengthen the rapport between them and Weiser.
“We’d like to try to start going to more of the contests ourselves,” Gary said. “As soon as we’re done with Fiddle Week, we need to be on the road with the trailer and go to some of these other contests and camps.”
Joya said they saw a nice number of new volunteers at the contest this year, and after the LOR Foundation’s volunteer drive this spring, is hoping for another.
“I did get a few new volunteers this year, and it’s true, once they volunteer in any capacity they figure out it’s something doable,” she said. “One mom called me and asked if we still needed help, then sent her middle school twins to help out Jamie at the registration table. They liked it and were there everyday, and said they would do it again next year. I’m going to the office once a week to check voice messages, so if anyone wants to get on the volunteer list they can leave a message or they can email me at [email protected].”
Gary said they are planning to reseed the new camping site west of Slocum Hall in October.
“It will have to be watered by Mother Nature,” he said. “If we can get it to sprout. We’re hoping for a good wet fall, and a better, wetter spring. Even though it was dusty this year, I still think it was better than asphalt. The lot is bigger than we think, and we’ve got lots of room.”
After attending the recent Dutch Oven Gathering at the Snake River Heritage Center, the Hills said they are having conversations about collaborating on events with the Museum.
“We talked with Gina (Applegate) and are thinking about maybe a big block party that will involve both the Museum and Slocum,” Joya said. “Maybe we can get some fiddlers to come and play, or maybe Eller and the Calamities. We’ve got some ideas in the works.”
They touched on this year’s assortment of contest judges, several who are well-known and respected among musicians in their own regions, but were in Weiser for the first time this summer.
“We had fantastic judges,” Gary said. “Cindy (Campbell), with her connections, knows so many people, and it seems like they’re always willing to jump in and help.”
“It’s nice to be able to pull big name fiddle players from within their regions of the fiddle world,” Joya said.
“Overall, we’re just very pleased and thankful,” Gary said. “We appreciate all of our local volunteers and want to welcome more of them. Anyone who volunteers always gets more out of it than they think they will.
“We’ll start putting out updates for next year’s contest on a regular basis, too,” he added.

We were happy to support the Twin Lakes National Fiddler Championship and look forward to their now Nationally Certified...
07/21/2025

We were happy to support the Twin Lakes National Fiddler Championship and look forward to their now Nationally Certified Twin Lakes winners competing in the National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest & Festival in 2026!

Get tickets for the annual National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest in Weiser! Register as a contestant or accompanist, and join the fun!

The Idaho Junior Jammers in the parade! Thank you so much, Idaho Jr Jammer Fiddlers for all the fundraising and support....
06/23/2025

The Idaho Junior Jammers in the parade! Thank you so much, Idaho Jr Jammer Fiddlers for all the fundraising and support. Those belt buckles are stunning and people love them!

06/22/2025

It's been a long two weeks, with setup and take down, but another Fiddle Contest is in the books. And a Great one it was. Joya and I want to thank all the contests for an awesome week of amazing music. A special thanks to all the volunteer that help every year, could not do it without them. And a special thanks to Pepsi and Tony Odoms and there crew for all the great work at the Park Festival. Also to Bart Carpenter for the music in the park. Thanks to the Merchant and the Chamber for the support. See ya next year.

Congrats to our 2025 Grand National Champion, Ridge Roberts!Ridge Roberts
06/22/2025

Congrats to our 2025 Grand National Champion, Ridge Roberts!
Ridge Roberts

Congratulations to the2025 NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPIONS
06/22/2025

Congratulations to the
2025 NATIONAL GRAND CHAMPIONS

Grand ChampionRound 4Order of Appearance
06/22/2025

Grand Champion
Round 4
Order of Appearance

Address

2235 Paddock Avenue
Weiser, ID
83672

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