GRANITE QUARRY- Rowan County, it’s time to break out your fiddles and best stomping shoes because it’s time for the 47th annual Granite Quarry Civitan Fiddler’s Convention.
This year’s event will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at East Rowan High School, 175 St. Luke Church Road.
Registration to perform begins at 4:30 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m..
There will be individual competitions for the fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, dobro, bass, and vocal.
There will also be a competition for youth dubbed the “Most Promising Talent.”
There are categories for children age 11 and younger and those who are between 12 and 16 years old.
Bands from North and South Carolinas as well as Virginia typically turn out to compete during the convention.
Cash prizes, trophies and ribbons will be awarded to the winners.
Statesville resident Luther M. Souther will be honored during this year’s convention for his dedication to old time and bluegrass music.
He started playing music at the age of 14 and has performed with numerous bands throughout Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia and North Carolina.
In 1957, he was featured on Channel 12 when the “Sons of the South” won a talent show.
He will perform with his sons Saturday during the convention.
Don Livengood, one of the event organizers, said the convention typically draws several hundred people of all different ages and backgrounds.
He said he’s glad “young people have embraced the tradition of this event.”
Livengood, a 54 year member of the Civitan Club, said he hopes people have a “fun time of foot stompin’, fiddlin’ and clappin.’”
The convention is a major fundraiser for the club, with proceeds going to projects such as the Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Homes, Victory Junction Camp, people with developmental disabilities, local school programs and scholarships.
Admission is $8 for adults and kids under 12 get in for free.
Lunch will start at 11 a.m. and dinner will begin at 4 p.m. Some of the food items available for purchase include the convention’s famous barbecue chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs and home made desserts.