August 27th, 28th, and 29th
The Downtown Branson Main Street Association, Historic Downtown Branson Business Owners, Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Branson Landing and the City of Branson are proud to announce The 22nd Annual Fiddle Festival & Mid-American Fiddlers Championship on August 27th , 28th and 29th.
The Branson Landing Town Square will host the competition, returning the contest to its longtime home on the banks of Lake Taneycomo.
The Festival kicks off this year with a Free, Live Concert by BIG SMITH on Friday, August 27th at 8pm in front of the Branson Landing Fountains. This band composed of five cousins is bound together by blood and harmony, both of which make up this great American band. Big Smith has earned a devoted following playing raucous acoustic music that has captured the spirit of their native Ozarks. Equipped only with an acoustic guitar, mandolin, bass fiddle and washboard they continue to demonstrate to unsuspecting audiences that joy and liberation can be found in an unlikely combination including the energy of bluegrass, the sound of gospel harmonies and the raw mojo of indigenous, authentic Ozarks culture.
The Mid-American Fiddler's Championship competition begins at 10 AM on Saturday. There are six divisions including a variety of styles of fiddle music and age classifications. The festival will include street performances, fiddling workshops, an Ozarks Music and Culture tent, a Farmers Market, sidewalk sales, special guests, and more.
There is no entry fee to participate in the contest. The winners of Saturday's preliminary round go on to compete on Sunday for the grand prize. The final round takes place from 12 to 5 p.m. Prizes for the event include over $5,000 in cash prizes.
Other featured activities include a Saturday evening "Square Dance in the Street" and a Sunday morning Gospel celebration at 10:00 AM Hosted by Bob Hubbard, featuring Branson & Springfield gospel singers In front of the fountains at Branson Landing
Fiddlin', according to event producer Bill Lennon, is an integral part of the fabric of the Ozarks. "The Ozarks and Fiddlin' should be like New Orleans and Jazz," Lennon said, and this event has brought together the best in Ozarks fiddlers for the last two decades.
For more information about entering or attending the 22nd Annual Fiddle Festival, the free Big Smith concert or for lodging needs in Branson, call a DiscoverBranson.com guest service agent at
1-800-768-3892.