• Boott Cotton Mills Museum with Trolley

    Lowell

    National Historical Park Massachusetts

33rd Annual Banjo and Fiddle Contests

Fiddle Workshop
Fiddle workshop at Banjo & Fiddle Contest
NPS

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Date: August 28, 2012
Contact: Alex Demas, 978-275-1784
Contact: Phil Lupsiewicz, 978-275-1705


(Lowell, MA) Banjos, Fiddles, Guitars and mandolins abound as the sounds of bluegrass, dixieland, old-time mountain picking, and the strains of ethnic dance tunes from all over the world will flow from Boarding House Park in Lowell, Massachusetts, on Saturday, September 8, 2012, during the annual Banjo and Fiddle Contests. The public is invited to a full day of music, food and family fun. The event is free and donations are welcomed. Free workshops on mountain dulcimer, old-time fiddle, old-time banjo, twin and bluegrass fiddle, and bluegrass banjo begin at 10:00 a.m.The contests begin at noon and continue throughout the afternoon.

Banjo and fiddle players of all ages, experts and beginners alike, compete for cash prizes and trophies in this annual competition. Participants have ranged in age from 4 to 75, many traveling from as far away as North Carolina and Quebec. Musicians interested in participating should pre-register by contacting the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street, Lowell, (978) 970-5000 or visiting http://www.nps.gov/lowe/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?eventID=397948-232573.Entry questions can be directed to Alex Demas at alex_demas@nps.gov.Contest entry and public admission are free to all. Even if you don't compete, bring your instruments; there's lots of jamming!

For more information, please call (978) 970-5000/5002 (TDD).Boarding House Park is located at 40 French Street, Lowell.The rain location is Lowell High School Auditorium across from the Boarding House Park.Both locations are wheelchair accessible.The Banjo & Fiddle Contests are sponsored by Lowell Festival Foundation and Lowell National Historical Park.

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Did You Know?

Photo of mill workers outside of a Boardinghouse

There were female and male overseers in the mills of Lowell in the 19th century. In Rev. Henry Miles' book, Lowell As It Was, and As It Is, he mentions that the Boott Cotton Mills has recently opened a new weave room and it is being overseen by two women overseers. More...