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.
