“The pioneers who settled these valleys and majestic mountains brought with them the fiddle and the bow, on which they played the old-time music in their lowly thatched cabin homes. With the accumulation of years, the red men have disappeared, the big forests have been cleared away, the Indian trails converted into a network of highways, new generations have come and gone, but the old time music of the fiddle and the bow will never cease to soothe the human soul or charm the wild impulse of the savage beast.”

The above passage was printed in the Fort Payne Journal on August 10, 1938, describing the annual DeKalb County Fiddlers’ Convention. From 1908 until 1942 people packed the DeKalb County Courthouse on the first Monday night of the fall session of Circuit Court to attend this musical event.

Landmarks of DeKalb County, along with the City of Fort Payne, are reviving this time honored folk tradition in the 130 year old Fort Payne Opera House. Featuring 12 categories for competition and over $5,600 in prizes, contestants can register for a single category for $10 and $5 for each additional category. DCFC Rules. (pdf)

For more information contact:

Landmarks of DeKalb County
256-845-6888
landmarksdekalb@bellsouth.net

Or visit the Facebook page for the event.

Use the form below to enter the contest.

Dekalb County Fiddler’s Convention Registration Form