News Release

Homestead National Historical Park to host annual Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival

Date: April 13, 2026
Contact: Amber Kirkendall, 402-223-3514

BEATRICE, Neb. – Homestead National Historical Park invites fiddlers to share their talent and compete in the annual Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival, May 23, 2026. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., a workshop is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m., the jam session will start at 11 a.m., and the competition begins at noon.

The free 10 a.m. fiddle workshop, led by Terry Keefe, is open to everyone including competition participants. This yearly event honors the musical traditions of the early homestead era. There will be more than $3,000 in prize money provided by the Leigh F., Jane M., and Leigh M. Coffin Foundation.

There are four divisions in the competition. The Junior Division is for people who have played the violin in the fiddle style for less than five years. The Senior Division is for people who have played the violin in the fiddle style for five years or longer. The Acoustic Band Division is for all acoustic string bands with three or more players. The Picking Division is for any individual contestant who plays a stringed instrument other than a fiddle.

Fiddle categories will play three tunes including a Hoedown, a Waltz, and a tune of choice. Band and picking categories will play two songs, a tune of choice, and a song in a traditional fiddle style. Contestant(s) will be judged on pitch, tone, rhythm, and presentation.

The 2026 Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival will be led by Nebraska native musicians Chris Sayre, Terry Keefe, and Steve Hanson, all from Lincoln.

Sayre has been a working musician for more than 50 years. His passion for both traditional and contemporary folk music is reflected in his numerous performances at coffeehouses, fairs, festivals. libraries, retirement homes, schools, and other venues across Nebraska and the region.

Keefe has been performing music professionally for more than 45 years in a variety of genres and in numerous ensembles. He has won awards in musical competitions, including the Midwest Fiddle Championship.

Hanson has been a professional musician in the Lincoln, Nebraska area for more than 50 years. In that time, Hanson won numerous contests and awards including the Lincoln Mayor’s Arts Award, the Walnut Valley Festival, and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival contests. He has taught countless students to play and enjoy music.

Jason and John Shaw are scheduled to provide a special dueling fiddles performance during the judging of the Junior Division. Jason and John Shaw are known for their dynamic fiddle style and engaging stage presence. Their performance will serve as both a featured musical showcase and a natural break in the competition, offering attendees an opportunity to enjoy high-energy, traditional fiddle music. Their dueling fiddles highlight the rich musical traditions that connect to the cultural roots of the fiddle in American history, making it a perfect complement to the Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival.

This event is made possible by the generosity of the Leigh F., Jane M., and Leigh M. Coffin Foundation, the Friends of Homestead, Humanities Nebraska and the Hevelone Foundation. Admission to Homestead Historical Park and all events is free.

Remember, Homestead National Historical Park has an exciting schedule of events planned for 2026. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Instagram (@HomesteadNPS), “X” (@HomesteadNHP), and Facebook (Homestead National Historical Park).
 

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The National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.