General Contest Rules

1. The official entry form must be accompanied by the registration fee for the contest only.
2. Contestants may enter only one age division.
3. Registration will be at 9:30 a.m. Upon arrival, check in and pick up your name tag. Turn in your list of tunes when you Draw a number for playing position. Contestants must be registered before their division draws for playing order.
4. Each contestant must play a hoedown, waltz and tune of choice other than a waltz or hoedown. Trick fiddling or tunes like: "Listen to the Mocking Bird," Orange Blossom Special," or "Black Mountain Rag" are not allowed. Play should be Old-Time Style - Danceable.
5. Up to three accompanists are allowed - no amplified instruments. Accompanists must not play melody. Contestant must not use sheet music.
6. If a contestant is not ready to play, at the time their name is called, they will be disqualified.
7. If a string breaks, the contestant will have the option to continue or stop at that point. If the player continues, the tune will be judged as played.
8. All contestants are asked to limit time on stage to six minutes Judges will deduct points if performance becomes too long and/or repetitive.
9. There will be three judges. Scores will be based on 100 points per tune. execution, difficulty, danceability/timing, tone, style, and intonation will be considered in scoring. Points will be deducted for any rule violation. Scores will be cumulative.
10. Contestants will be allowed one false start per tune without being penalized. 
11. Contestants will be allowed to restart a tune without being penalized if either the contestant or an accompanist breaks a string.
12. Ties will result in a three tune play off. Tunes may not be repeated, in play offs or finals.
13. Individual score sheets will be available on request after the end of the contest.
14. The contest chair reserves the right to alter the time schedule, order of categories, or number of tunes to be played as needed.
15. All decisions of the judges are final.

Special Division Rules

Twin Fiddle - In the twin fiddle event, fiddler pairs will play two songs of their choice. Trick Fiddle tunes are not allowed.

Hot Fiddle - Each contestant may perform any piece(s) of their choosing. Contestants should limit their performance to no more than 6 minutes. Judging will be done by Audience members selected at random.

Gambler's Draw - Each contestant will draw the name of a tune out of a hat. Contestants that can play the song they draw advance to the next round. The last player standing takes the pot.

Ragtime Annie - Each contestant will play their best rendition of Ragtime Annie, and tell a joke. Contestants may choose to forego the joke. This contest is interactive. Judging will be based on Audience response, creativity, and execution.

Faux Fiddle - The general contest rules apply. Faux fiddlers will play two tunes: a breakdown and a waltz. The fiddle tunes must be performed on any instrument other than a fiddle (violin).

Cross-Tuned - Each Contestant will play two tunes of their choice. The fiddle must be tuned in a non-standard tuning (any other than GDAE).