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Caldwell Arts Council Hosts 14th Annual Happy Valley Fiddlers Convention on Labor Day Weekend

Come for a day or stay for the weekend and enjoy traditional, rural music.

Historic Happy Valley, located in Caldwell County, is the home of the 14th Annual Happy Valley Fiddlers Convention, an event that pays homage to tradition through live music performances and traditionally rural activities. According to its website, The Happy Valley Fiddlers Convention is a group of volunteers who have dedicated 15 years to the preservation and promotion of traditional music. All proceeds from the event go toward youth scholarships and music programs centered around the preservation of traditional music, dance and instrument-making.

Experience a perfect Labor Day Weekend on the banks of the Yadkin River while being surrounded by mountain music, dance, food and beautiful scenery. Festival music begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, featuring Riggs and Ritter, Hog-Eyed Man and the Sunny Mountain Serenaders. Friday tickets are priced $5 per adult while those 15 and younger have free admittance.  

Saturday, Sept. 1 is packed with great entertainment starting at 10:00 a.m. The music competition begins at 10:00 a.m. and includes 12 separate categories. The Youth JAM Tent offers music performances by some extremely talented youngsters. Non-music and children’s activities include hayrides, storytelling, children’s crafts, and rock stacking in the river. Saturday tickets are priced $10 per adult while those 15 and younger have free admittance.

The weekend ends with a Sunday concert starting at 10:00 a.m., featuring an all-star lineup of folk, Irish folk, blues, gospel, old-time, Cajun and bluegrass musicians, including the Kruger Brothers, The Harris Brothers and Strictly Clean and Decent. There will also be other performances as well as fiddle, Cajun, banjo and guitar workshops. Sunday tickets are priced $15 per adult while those 15 and younger have free admittance.

A discounted weekend pass, saving each adult $5, is available through the Caldwell Arts Council, 601 College Ave SW, Lenoir, 828-754-2486.

Primitive camping is available for $25 per weekend, which includes 3 nights, and $10 per extra night.

When was the last time you had the privilege of sitting on the banks of a mountain river with music echoing throughout the hills around you? With that being said, come for a day or camp for the weekend.

Check out the details and directions at www.happyvalleyfiddlers.org 

Learn about the historic Happy Valley at www.explorecaldwell.com/historic-happy-valley-a-step-back-in-time/