2018 Fiddlers’ Festival

Results and Prize Winners

By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter

CROCKETT – While last year Mother Nature did her part in providing sunny skies, this year the weather took a turn for the worse and forced the 82^nd Annual World Championship Fiddlers’ Festival into the dry confines of the Porth AG Arena.

The Fiddlers Festival was held on Saturday, Sept. 22 and the event attracted over 75 fiddlers and accompanists from as far away as California and Idaho. In addition, included amongst the musicians were several former World Champion fiddlers!

The participants ranged in age from over 60 all the way down to six years of age and were divided into four divisions. The divisions were: the Senior Division, for contestants 60 years of age and above; the Youth Division for fiddlers up to the age of 18; the World Championship Division; and the Accompanist Division.

In the Senior Division, Robin Houghton took home the first place trophy along with $300. Second place and a check for $250 went to Brad Riley. Third place was awarded to Tom Fonville along with a check for $200. Fourth place went to John Blevins along with $150 and Davis Looper took home fifth place honors along with $100.

The Youth Division saw competitors take the stage during the late morning / early afternoon. The competitors were:

• 1^st Place/$300 – Leah Sawyer, Age 17, Weatherford, TX
• 2^nd Place/$250 – Leah Bowen
• 3^rd Place/$200 – David Sawyer, Age 15, Weatherford, TX
• 4^th Place/$150 – Nathan Pedneault
• 5^th Place/$100 – Linda Masters, Age 12, Huntsville, TX
• 6^th Place/$75 – Eva Masters

In the Accompanist Division, there were five possible places. They were:

1st Place/$300 – Ray Franklin

2nd Place/$250 – Hyatt Hopkins

3rd Place/$200 – Anthony Mature

4th Place/$150 – Steve Williams

5th Place/$100 – Ronnie McKee

The World Championship Division (Open) saw 13 competitors take the stage. At the end of the competition 15-year-old Ridge Roberts took home top honors and was also the youngets fiddle player to ever win the World Championship Fiddlers Festival.

The competitors and their places were as follows:

• 1^st Place/$1,000 – Ridge Roberts, Age 15, Granbury, TX
• 2^nd Place/$900 – Wes Westmoreland, Temple, TX
• 3^rd Place/$800 – Carl Hopkins, Porter, TX
• 4^th Place/$700 – MacKenzie Johnston
• 5^th Place/$600 – Devon McCauley
• 6^th Place/$500 – Jason Andrew
• 7^th Place/$400 – Marty Elmore
• 8^th Place/$300 – Shira Ellisman
• 9^th Place/$200 – Scott Sumner
• 10^th Place/$150 – Kerri Beckman

11^th – 13^th places received participation recognition and $100 each. The competitors were:

• 11^th Place / $100 – Alfred Mowledous III
• 12^th Place / $100 – Eddie Davis, Cuero, TX
• 13^th Place / $100 – David Sawyer

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].