BELLOWS FALLS — In what is beginning to look like an annual event, the Northeast Fiddlers Association will host a fiddle meet at the Bellows Falls Moose Club from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20.
Fiddlers and non-fiddlers alike are invited to a very sociable afternoon.
An NEFA meet always begins at noon with a tune circle. As fiddlers arrive, they sign up on a numbered list and then, if they wish, join the circle.
In the circle, people take turns choosing the tunes to be played. At 1 p.m., master of ceremonies Tom Berry takes the list up onto the stage and starts calling fiddlers up to each play three tunes of their choice. There will be a piano player available to play backup.
Many NEFA members aren't actually fiddlers but other musicians, (guitar, piano, banjo, mandolin), dancers, and folks who come to the meets to listen and enjoy the afternoon.
There is always a concession stand where hot dogs, burgers, fries, and sometimes soup or chili are served, and a sales table where donated baked goods and crafts are sold to benefit NEFA.
The meet lasts until the last fiddler has played and concludes with a group of fiddlers up on the stage playing a few farewell tunes together.
NEFA meets are always open, free to the public, and handicapped accessible. Donations to the local food shelf are gratefully accepted.
To learn more, call Jill Newton at 802-869-3515.