dancers

Contests

Contestant Perks! We value our musicians and, as much as we can being a non-profit group of volunteers, will do everything to honor those who are carrying on our musical heritage. In addition to the prize money, competitors will 1) have admission fee reimbursed, 2) be given Saturday night camping free, 3) receive a participation ribbon and 4) be offered a festival t-shirt or hat at our cost.

Cash prizes for first, second and third bands are $400, $250, and $125. Cash prizes for individual competition are $100, $50 and $25.

Remember that we are non-profit and any donation back to the festival would be greatly appreciated. Our mission is "to preserve and promote the cultural heritage and resources of Happy/Yadkin Valley through an annual music festival that highlights traditional old-time and bluegrass music and rural traditions, doing so in a way that provides wholesome family activities and protects our farmland and community values while promoting trust between the community and the event."

Day-time Preliminary Contests

The individual preliminary competition is scheduled from 10:30 AM until 3:00 PM. Preliminary competition for old time bands and bluegrass bands begin at 3:00 until 6:00 PM. The specific times and registration cut-offs are as follows:

Competition Categories

Open Category*
Autoharp
Mandolin
Guitar
Old Time Banjo
Bluegrass Banjo
Old Time Fiddle
Bluegrass Fiddle
Flatfoot Dance
Twin Fiddle
Bluegrass Band
Old Time Band

*Note: For individuals and groups who want to present musical talent that reflects the rich heritage of southern Appalachian music that is not available in other competition categories, Typical competitions include: Ballad singing, harmonica, Mountain Dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, dobro, rhythm instruments, and small groups that do not meet the criteria for bands.

The Approximate times for Saturday's Daytime Preliminary Competition Note: The Festival management reserves the right to alter the times based on weather, number of competitors and other external factors beyond our control.

Competitions/events		Approx. Time Periods
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Open Category			10:30 to 11:20
Autoharps			11:20 to 11:40
Mandolins			11:40 to 12:00
Old time banjos			12:00 to 12:30 
Old time fiddles		12:50 to 1:30 
Bluegrass banjos		1:30 to 1:50 
Bluegrass fiddles		1:50 to 2:10
Guitar competition		2:40 to 3:10
Twin Fiddles			3:10 to 3:30
Old time bands			3:30 to 4:30
Bluegrass bands			4:30 to 5:30
Flatfoot Dance			5:30 to 6:00

The daytime preliminary competitions will determine the top three individual and band finalists to play-off in the evening for first, second and third place.

Category			Time
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Open Category			7:00 to 7:10
Autoharp			7:10 to 7:20
Mandolin			7:20 to 7:30
Old time banjo			7:30 to 7:45
Dance				8:00 to 8:10
Old time Fiddle			8:10 to 8:20
Guitar				8:20 to 8:30
Bluegrass fiddle		8:30 to 8:40
Bluegrass banjo			8:50 to 9:00
Twin Fiddles			9:00 to 9:15
Old Time Band 			10:00 to 10:30
Bluegrass Band			10:30 to 11:00