Fiddling contest set to draw crowd to Mokane Fair

August 22, 2011 at 10:12 a.m. | Updated August 22, 2011 at 10:12 a.m.

(From left) Competitors in the open division of the Jake Hockemeyer Memorial Old Time Fiddler's Contest were Richard Shewmaker of Columbia, Joanna Coleman of Schell City, Kathy Summers of Bourbon, Zach Benson of Schell City, Sadie Curry of Columbia, Andrew Coleman of Schell City, Ashley Monasmith of Pacific and Lynn Wells (with his grandson) of Boonsboro. This year's contest will start at 3 p.m. on Sept. 4. There are $800 in cash prizes up for grabs, with a $20 show-up fee for all fiddlers who do not place in money.
(From left) Competitors in the open division of the Jake Hockemeyer Memorial Old Time Fiddler's Contest were Richard Shewmaker of Columbia, Joanna Coleman of Schell City, Kathy Summers of Bourbon, Zach Benson of Schell City, Sadie Curry of Columbia, Andrew Coleman of Schell City, Ashley Monasmith of Pacific and Lynn Wells (with his grandson) of Boonsboro. This year's contest will start at 3 p.m. on Sept. 4. There are $800 in cash prizes up for grabs, with a $20 show-up fee for all fiddlers who do not place in money.

Fiddling has been a source of entertainment in Callaway County for generations, and if participation in last year's Jake Hockemeyer Memorial Old Time Fiddler's Contest is any indication, it will continue to be for at least one more to come.

The contest drew 26 fiddlers from all over Missouri in 2010, and event organizers are expecting one of the main features of the 62nd Annual Mokane Fair to be just as popular this year.

"I guess part of it's appeal is the tradition, and the fiddle music is so enjoyable to listen to," said event emcee and lifelong musician Jim Buffington. "That kind of music is just ingrained in our lives down here and throughout mid-Missouri.

"I guess it's popular just because of its entertainment value - it draws a nice crowd every year."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.