Fiddlers invited to
Genesee Country Museum for day of music

The sound of bow on string has always been able to both stir the heart and set the foot to tapping. On Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17, there'll be plenty of both as Genesee Country Village & Museum hosts the Old Time Fiddlers' Fair, the largest showcase of traditional music in Western New York.

"The roots of this event go back some 80 years, to the old Fiddlers' Picnic," says area folk musician Allen Hopkins. "And its tradition goes back even further, to when this was how people got their music - There were local musicians who knew their music and were willing to show it off. And everyone was invited to come and listen."

Music will flow continuously from three stages from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days with performances from more than 100 musicians, drawn from around the state and ranging from polished professional to the youngest beginner.

Fiddlers of all ages and abilities are invited to participate free of charge.

All day, fiddlers will gather in a jamming tent to share their music. A Rising Generation Tent will feature youth and novice players. There will also be workshops for fiddle and hammered dulcimer. Then each day at 4:30 p.m., visitors and performers can gather for rounds square dancing.

Throughout Sunday afternoon, members of the Rochester Chapter of American Harp Society will perform.

Some of the bands on stage this year include the Fiddlesticks, Fiddler's of the Genesee, Phil Banaszak with City Fiddle, Lead Foot, Crooked Lake Fiddle Club, Great Bear Trio, Thistlewerk and Katy VanDemortel and the Hootin Holler Hot Shots.

Among the first-time bands are Love & Knishes, The Fort Hill String Band and Roberts Community Strings. Admission to the fair is included with the museum's day pass. The fair is sponsored in part by the New York State Council on the Arts.

Genesee Country Museum is located at 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.