10th Annual Fiddle Fest Awards More Than $10K In Prize Money

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The 10th annual Fiddle Fest recently drew competitors from across the Southeast to Shelton State Community College, with more than $10,000 in prize money awarded across multiple performance categories.

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Musicians brought their music from several states, as far away as Texas, Ohio and West Virginia, to compete in the event, which also featured vendors and family-friendly activities throughout the day.

Fiddle Fest is held annually on the last Saturday of February at Shelton State.

The competition concluded with a final playoff round featuring five contestants, including three previous Fiddle Fest champions.

Bill Jones of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the festival’s 2019 champion, captured the grand prize of $1,500 and was named the 2026 Southeast Fiddle Champion.

Event organizers said the festival continues to celebrate and preserve the traditions of bluegrass and old-time fiddle music while bringing together musicians and fans from across the region.

The festival is supported through financial contributions from the Community Foundation of West Alabama, Visit Tuscaloosa, the Alabama State Council on the Arts, and Shelton State Community College, along with additional sponsorship support.

2026 Fiddle Fest Winners

• Small Fry Fiddle: Nash Grier — Nashville, Tennessee
• Youth Fiddle: Kadence Edgington — Nashville, Tennessee
• Beginner Musician: Ivy Parker — Mountain View, Arkansas
• Mandolin: Gordon Parker — Mountain View, Arkansas
• Junior Fiddle: Summer Edgington — Nashville, Tennessee
• Guitar: Tyler Andal — Nashville, Tennessee
• Senior Fiddle: Elaine Winters — Murfreesboro, Tennessee
• Buck Dancing: Mary Parker — Mountain View, Arkansas
• Banjo: Joey Gipson — Manchester, Tennessee
• Band: Pick-flickers Band — Manchester, Tennessee
• Open Fiddle Finals (Grand Champion): Bill Jones — Oak Ridge, Tennessee

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