Resin up your bow: 51st Fiddlers contest offers a frolickin’ good time

By JIMMY APPELT

tribunenewsroom@sbcglobal.net

In the early 1970’s, Frank Zaruba formulated the idea of a fiddlers’ contest and presented the idea to Kenneth Henneke. The two sought out the advice and experiences of Cliff and Velda Fryer, who had traveled to fiddling contests throughout the state and nation.

After talking to the Fryers, Frank and Kenneth approached the Hallettsville Knights of Columbus, who agreed to support the idea and the rest, you could say, is history.

This weekend, the 51st annual Fiddlers Frolics will take place and organizers have put together a top cast of entertainers lined up to appear for the three-day event.

Friday, April 22

The Frolics will kickoff Friday with the traditional Cajun Fun Night starting at 5 p.m. that will have the traditional Cajun foods including crawfish, gumbo, red beans and rice along with barbecue and hamburgers.

Inside the hall, the Anything Goes fiddle contest will take place at 6 p.m. and will be followed at 6:30 p.m. with the Cajun Show that will include Waylon Thibodeaux, Keith Junot, Bonnie Riley and Chris Rybak performing on stage throughout the evening.

Admission to Friday night’s event is $15 with children 12 and under admitted free.

Saturday, April 23

Beginning Saturday, inside the hall, the Forest Craig Freshman Division competition will take place beginning at 9 a.m.

Starting at 1 p.m., the Gone To Texas contest will be held during the afternoon. Admission to Saturday’s fiddling contests is $8.

Saturday evening, Texas music at its best with Broken Alibi and Jake Worthington sharing the stage from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Worthington finished as a finalist in 2014 on the popular NBC television program, The Voice.

Admission to the dance is $12 for pre-sale tickets and $15 at the door

Also, on Saturday afternoon, under the BBQ Pavilion, Chris Rybak, Keith Junot and Bonnie Riley will perform on stage starting at 1 p.m. Admission to all outside events are free to the public.

Sunday, April 24

Activities continue Sunday morning, inside the hall, with the Guitar Accompanist contest starting at 9:30 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. the Texas Fiddlers Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will take place.

Following the HOF induction, the Senior division fiddle contest, where contestants 65 years or older, will compete beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The highlight of the Fiddlers Frolics will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon with the Texas State Fiddle contest taking place.

Fiddle contestants, who are Texas residents, will perform to see who will wear the crown as this year’s state champion fiddler.

The fiddlers will compete throughout the afternoon and will culminate with the Cliff and Velda Fryer championship playoff starting at 5 p.m.

The playoff will feature the top three finalists performing in round robin segments with the winner named the Texas State Champion Fiddler for 2022. Admission to Sunday’s fiddle contest is $8.

On Sunday, outside the hall, activities will start at 10 a.m. with the barbecue showmanship award presented and the Texas State Championship Barbecue Cook-off judging to take place later in the day.

Also on Sunday, Bobby Flores will perform on the BBQ Pavilion stage from 2 to 6 p.m.

Children 12 or younger will be admitted to free to all inside the hall events with the exception to Saturday night’s dance. Also, weekend passes can be purchased at $40 each.

All outside events are free to the public.

In addition to musical entertainment offered during the Frolics, arts and craft booths and a variety of food booths will also be available throughout the weekend. The event will have fun for the entire family.

For more information concerning the Fiddlers’ Frolics weekend, log on to www.fiddlersfrolics.com or call the K of C Hall at (361) 798-2311.