Leitchfield Freedom Festival, Twin Lakes National Fiddler Championship this weekend

fiddle-championship
fiddle-championship

Friday kicks-off the 10th annual Leitchfield Freedom Festival and Twin Lakes National Fiddler Championship on the Leitchfield Town Square.

Beginning at 2:30 Friday afternoon, the square will close to traffic as vendors begin setting up for Saturday’s fiddler championships.

  • From 4:00 until 9:00, a sanctioned car audio event will be held at the Leitchfield Aquatic Center (201 East Carroll Gibson Boulevard).
  • At 5:00 on the Town Square, The Cecilian Bank will hold a Customer Appreciation event that will feature several free activities for kids and free treats, including snow cones, face painting, popcorn and a bouncy house.
  • Also beginning at 5:00 and ending at 8:00 on and around the Town Square, the Western Kentucky Car Club will host a free Cruise-In.
  • At 9:00, the fireworks show will begin. The fireworks will be set off at the water tower behind Grayson County Middle School.
  • The Aquatic Center will be open until midnight for people wanting to watch the fireworks display from on the water, or take a late night swim.

Two food vendors will set-up on Friday on the square – The Masonic Lodge and Bluegrass BBQ.

Twin Lakes National Fiddler Champhionship

The Twin Lakes National Fiddler Championship begins Saturday morning at 9:00 on the Town Square. The festival will honor several musicians who have played a vital role in fiddling in Grayson County, including:

  • The Senior division trophy will be named the “Herman Alvey Trophy” in honor of Herman Alvey, one of Grayson County’s finest fiddlers and a multiple winner of the Kentucky State Senior Championship.
  • A special award, the “Bud Meredith Showmanship Award,” will be given to honor Bud Meredith, one of Grayson County most famous fiddlers who competed at the national level.
  • The Dancing trophy has been named the “Leo Mudd Trophy” in honor of Leo Mudd, one of the coordinators of the Kentucky State Fiddler Championship and a longtime supporter of music and youth in Grayson County.
  • The Grand Champion trophy will be named the “Jodie Hall Trophy” in honor of Jodie Hall, who started the Kentucky State Fiddler Championship and was a musician, luthier, author, and vital supporter of music in Grayson County.

This year, $10,000 in prize money will be awarded in 11 categories, including Small Fry Fiddle (ages eight and under), Jr Jr Fiddle (nine to 12), Jr Fiddle (13 to 17), Young Adult Fiddle (18 to 39), Adult Fiddle (40 to 59), Senior Fiddle (60 and over), and of coursed the Championship Fiddle Off.

The competition includes categories in Mandolin, Flatpick Guitar and Bluegrass Banjo.

After performing Friday night at the Grand Ole Opry, Saturday night at about 8:00, after the fiddler contest ends, three-time Grammy-nominated bluegrass group The Grascals will take the stage for a free concert.

There will be multiple food vendors, bouncy houses and other activities taking place on and around the Town Square throughout Saturday morning, afternoon and into the evening.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000