Fiddle Camp 2024: A Week to Remember!

Fiddle Camp 2024 is officially in the books, and what a week it was! This year, we ventured to a new location, the Expo Center in Cashmere, and it turned out to be the perfect spot for our annual gathering. The overall consensus? The venue was fantastic!

Perfect Venue, Perfect Setup

One of the highlights was the convenience of having the camping area just across the street from all the action. No more long treks to get from your tent to class! The air conditioning in the main building was a blessing, especially as the week progressed. Although we started with cooler weather on Monday, by Friday, we were pushing the high 90s. That cool indoor air was a lifesaver!

Terrific Attendance

We had a great turnout this year, with over 160 registered students with an almost perfect 50/50 split of adults and youth, and around 250 participants in total. The energy and enthusiasm were palpable, and it was wonderful to see so many people come together to play, dance, jam, and celebrate old-time fiddling.

Food, Friends, and Fun

Our food trucks were a hit, with rave reviews all around. Whether you were grabbing breakfast, lunch, or dinner, having those options on-site made it easy to stay fueled for all the activities. The shaded area near the vendors was a perfect spot to enjoy a meal and catch up with friends.

Classes and Cool Vibes

Classes went smoothly, although we did have a few locations without air conditioning (We’re already looking into ways to improve that for next year). It was wonderful to offer a new structure in Fiddle classes, supplemented with classes in mandolin, guitar, banjo, bass, and piano!  Despite the heat, the learning and jamming was stellar, with everyone eager to soak up new tunes and techniques.

Evening Events: A Musical Celebration

The evenings were filled with music and dancing! We had two nights of dancing with an open dance band, which kept everyone on their feet. The Band Scramble was a huge success, with seven on-the-spot bands putting on some fantastic performances. And who could forget the Hoedown Showdown? It was a true test of endurance and skill, with participants playing a whopping 120 songs before a winner was crowned.

Looking Ahead

We’re still working on finalizing the financials, but we’re excited to announce that a generous anonymous donation of $5,000 gave us a tremendous boost. The blanket auction also brought in nearly $500, and the many smaller donations from our community make a big difference. Thanks to this collective generosity and your unwavering support, we’re in a strong position as we begin planning for next year. Mark your calendars now for July 28 – August 1!

Here’s to another amazing Fiddle Camp! We’re already counting down the days until we can do it all again