By By Laura Courson, Staff Writer
It is nearly time for the 22nd Annual Atmore Rotary Club Fiddler's Convention and Rotarians are hoping past years of success will bring another promising group of musicians to perform.
Scheduled for July 20 at the Flomaton High School auditorium, the Fiddler's Convention offers musicians who play in the bluegrass style a chance to showcase their talents on a variety of instruments.
The convention is in a new location this year after being moved from Escambia County High School due to renovations.
This year is a milestone for the Atmore Rotary Club, marking 22 consecutive years of top-notch performances from amateur and professional entertainers from all over the South.
Initially started to help the Atmore Rotary Club fund Rotary Village, the event has become a regional attraction for musicians and music lovers and now has the state of Alabama's seal as the official competition for selecting top musicians.
Festivities will begin at 5:00 when the house band, Down Home, is scheduled to begin playing. There will be barbecue sandwiches and other refreshments available.
Fred Salter of the Atmore Rotary Club says the evening will be an enjoyable one.
The event will not only be fun to watch, it will also offer a little more to one lucky spectator. There will be a raffle using numbers written on the programs. The prize will be one $100.
Registration for competitors will be at the door so if you wish to compete you may want to arrive early. Competitors of all ages are encouraged to sign up.
There are seven different competitions.
The competitions will showcase bluegrass bands, banjo, dobro, guitar, mandolin and the celebrated fiddle.
Prizes of $100, $75 and $50 to the top three winners in each
competition. The fiddle competitors can earn $350, $200 and $100.
Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $2 for children. They may be purchased from Atmore Rotary Club members or may be purchased at the door.