2009 Fiddle competition at the fountains in Branson Landing.
The song “banned” from the official competition at the “22nd Annual Fiddle Festival and Mid-American Fiddle Championship,” the “Orange Blossom Special” will be featured in its own “1st Annual Orange Blossom Special Fiddling Contest” in Historic Downtown Branson (HDB). Angela Walker, Events Coordinator for Historic Downtown Branson said that the event will be held as part of the expansion of the activities involved with the Festival starting at 6:00 p.m. on August 28 just prior to the square dance that will be held on Commercial Street in Historic Downtown Branson.
Walker points out that the all time favorite fiddle song is “banned” from official competitions. HDB thought the contest would provide some fiddle fun and entertainment as people with a song that fiddle players seem to love to play and audiences love to hear.
She said the contest will be judged by Keith O’ Neil, long time Branson Recording producer and co-host of the KLFC radio morning program with Charlie Ingram; Darrell Boen, Ricky Boen’s dad, and a multi awarded fiddle champion and Branson’s “Ole Seagull,” Gary Groman, a local columnist and entertainment writer. Contestants will be competing for a $100 Grand Prize and other prizes. Entries are limited and will be filled on a first come first served basis.
The “22nd Annual Fiddle Festival and Mid-American Fiddle Championship” will take place in Branson, Missouri August 27 through August 29. The Festivals events will be in one of two venues, the Fountains and Public Square of Branson Landing and in Historic Downtown Branson on Commercial Street between Main Street and Atlantic (HDB).
All the Festivals competition in the “Mid-American Fiddle Championship” will take place at the Branson Landing where the competitors will be competing for $5000 in cash prizes and a “bye” into the Fiddling Nationals. All the “Street Festival” activities, Orange Blossom Special Contest and the square dance will take place in Historic Downtown Branson. Trolley service will be available to transport guests to and from Branson Landing and Historic Downtown Branson (HDB).
FRIDAY 8/27
8:00 p.m. Kick off concert at Branson Landing with “BIG SMITH.”
SATURDAY 8/28
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Street Festival in HDB
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Mid-American Fiddle Championship Preliminaries at Branson Landing
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 1st Annual “Orange Blossom Special Contest,” HDB
7:00 pm. – 10 p.m. Square Dance Historic Downtown Branson
SUNDAY 8/29
9:00 a.m .- 4:00 p.m. Street Festival in HDB
10:00 a.m. Gospel Celebration at Branson Landing
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mid-American Fiddle Championship Finals at Branson Landing
The “Street Festival ” in Historic Downtown Branson will consist of a variety of events. These events will include entertainment, Horse and Pony Rides, Crafters, Demonstrations, Seminars, Food Vendors, a Farmer’s Market, Make-and-Take Crafts and a Children’s Area featuring inflatable “rides.”
For additional information on the 22nd Annual Fiddle Festival and Mid-American Fiddle Championship please visit www.downtownbranson.org. For information or tickets for any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. BTC can be reached by either calling their toll free number 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.
* Picture courtesy of Historic Downtown Branson.