71st Weiser Fiddle Week coming into view

Published by admin on Tue, 05/28/2024 - 11:02am
By: 
Nancy Grindstaff
Reporter
Parade committee names Malay as Grand Marshal
 
Ranked among the top tier of music festivals across the country and beyond, Weiser’s National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival, June 16-22, is now less than a month away, with plans and schedules solidifying around the contest and campgrounds, at the City Park Festival, and for the annual Fiddle Parade, being organized and managed once again by the Weiser Chamber of Commerce.
Just last week, the Chamber announced its selection of Weiser’s own Joe Malay as the 2024 Parade Grand Marshal. A strong supporter of everything Weiser, Malay will be featured in the upcoming annual edition of the Weiser Signal American’s annual The Fiddler magazine, filled with feature stories and Fiddle Week schedules of the NOTFC and all the week’s entertainment offerings.
Along with Malay’s leading the way in the parade, a local pizza favorite Idaho Pizza is the 2024 official parade sponsor, so be sure to take note of the company’s banner at the lead of the June 22 procession.
Over time, the Fiddle Week parade has often laid claim to being one of the biggest in Idaho, and hoping to rebuild that reputation, the Weiser Chamber is looking to start receiving entries right away for the “Jamming All the Way!” themed mobile display. Entry forms are now available at the National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival website, as well as at weiserfestival.net, where signups for City Park vendors, stage entertainers, and traditional folk arts and crafts demonstration booths can also be found.
Parade categories up for being judged include: decorated bicycles (12 and under); dance or drill teams; 4-H and FFA floats; general floats; non-profits; commercial/business entries; agriculture entries; schools, pre-schools, daycares; cars; ATVs and motorcycles; and equestrians.
Music, especially in the form of fiddling, bluegrass, and all things related is strongly encouraged as additional features on float entries.
The entry deadline is June 15, and they can be emailed, mailed, or faxed, with the information of each of those avenues located on the entry forms, but don’t delay.
On the day of the parade, entries will check in at the West 7th Street entrance into Weiser High School’s parking lot beginning at 9:30 a.m. for lineup on Saturday, June 22. Equestrian entries, however, will check in and stage across from Rolling Hills Golf Course.
The parade’s route will follow the same path it has taken for several years, starting at Weiser High School and moving east along Indianhead Road, turning south on State Street all the way to the intersection of State and Idaho, where it will turn left, merge onto Main Street, then go to East 4th Street where it will turn north, progress past Weiser City Park, and arrive at its ending point at Weiser Middle School.
Contest tickets available now
The fiddle contesting that’s scheduled every day and evening in the Weiser High School auditorium at 690 Indianhead Road, beginning at 1 p.m. Monday, June 16, and running through Saturday, June 22, might be one of the best buys in music festival entertainment around, and tickets are on sale now for the 71st annual gathering.
Advance tickets can be ordered online at tickets@fiddlecontest.com, mail ordered via the online form, by phone at 208-414-0255, or at the contest site.
Day session ticket prices run $3 for adults at $2 for children under 12, plus senior citizens will receive free admission between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19.
Reserved seating evening prices Monday through Thursday range from $8-$10 for adults, and $6-$8 for children. Friday’s contest and show includes Junior and Young Adult finals, and the second round of the Grand Champion division, with tickets ranging from $16-$20 for adults, and $10 to $14 for children.
Seating for two final rounds of the Grand Champion play off on Saturday night go for $25-$30 for both adults and children.
One other seating opportunity are VIP reserved seats for $175, for the entire week. The VIP designation includes the ticket holder’s name on the reserved spot, plus an entry badge that gives no-waiting admission into the contest. A portion of the $175 price may be tax deductible, as well.
All divisions will be in-person competitions in 2024.

 

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Signal American

18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
PH: (208) 549-1717
FAX: (208) 549-1718
 

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