8521 Allentown Pike - Blandon - PA 19510

EXCITING NEW FIDDLE EVENT IN BERKS COUNTY

SCOTTISH FIRE IN FLEETWOOD - SEPTEMBER 15, 2024

Updated 7/23/24

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Berks Fiddle Festival, formerly Lyons Fiddle Festival, will be at a new location: Fleetwood Park on Sept 15, 2024, 9-6, but location isn't the only new thing.

While you will still find the familiar main stage performances and fiddle competition for all styles of fiddling, this year's fest will also host a contest sanctioned by The Scottish Fiddling Revival (FIRE) on a second stage. In this national qualifier, contestants can earn the right to compete in the 2025 U.S. National Competition. 

As an accomplished Scottish fiddler and National competitor herself, Meadowood's Margaret Young has travelled far to compete in FIRE qualifiers, and has worked to bring one to our area during Berks Fiddle Fest.

Coordinating with Berks Fiddle, she booked a certified FIRE Judge, and is now raising funds and recruiting volunteers to inform local fiddlers that they can qualify for the National Competition without extensive travel.

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HOW DOES IT WORK?

Who can compete:
The competition has four divisions to accommodate fiddlers of all ages and skill levels: two divisions for novices, and two for experienced Scottish fiddlers.

Click HERE to visit a page with details about

• the four divisions of competitors

• the number and type of tunes expected in each division

• membership requirements for registration/participation for each division

For more information, click HERE to email your questions to Margaret.

How to register:
There's no registration deadline, but only 20 spaces will be awarded to contestants on a first-come, first-served basis. To improve your chance of getting one of the spots, register well in advance (now would be good).

Click HERE for more details about registering and/or get a registration form.

 

The Judge for this Competition:
David Gardner is a nationally recognized Scottish fiddle performer, teacher, and judge. He specializes in great 18th century Scottish composers (such as the Gows, Mackintoshes and Marshall). He performs their music using bows and instruments set up as they would have been in Neil Gow’s day.

How to become a member of FIRE:
Two of the divisions require that contestants are members of Scottish FIRE. CLICK HERE to visit the FIRE website and become a member.

HOW CAN YOU BE A PART OF IT?

If you're a Scottish fiddler, you can register for and compete in the qualifier. Click HERE to get and email a registration form.

If you're not a fiddler, or aren't ready to compete this year, you can donate time or money to make the inaugural Berks County FIRE qualifier a success.

TO VOLUNTEER TIME, click HERE to email Margaret, and help...

• spread the word to fiddlers and audience about this new event.

• set-up and break-down the day of the event.

TO DONATE FUNDS, to cover the costs of the event this year, and in 2025 and beyond (Judge's fee/travel expenses, advertising/promotion, prizes),

you can...

• make a cash or check donation. Email Margaret HERE.

• make an online donation. can the QR code to the right

       or click HERE.

 

REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT: 
To make sure your donation is earmarked for the

FIRE competition, include the words "SCOTTISH FIRE"

on the donation form. Otherwise, your donation will

go to Fleetwood Park's general fund.