Saturday, October 18, 2025 9:00 a.m.
Registration opens at 8:00 a.m.
Territorial Statehouse State Park
50 W Capitol St.
Fillmore, UT 84631
Categories
Junior Fiddle – 14 and under
Junior Banjo- 14 and under
Junior Mandolin – 14 and under
Junior Guitar – 14 and under
Young Adult Fiddle – 15-29
Adult Fiddle – 30 and older
Adult Banjo – 15 and up
Adult Mandolin – 15 and up
Adult Guitar – 15 and up
Harmonica – any age
Awards for winners will be presented at the conclusion of the contest.
Fiddle Division Rules
- A round shall consist of 3 tunes: 1st a hoedown, 2nd a waltz, and 3rd a fiddle tune of choice
other than a waltz or hoedown. A contestant may play a tune only once during the contest. - A round shall not last more than 4 minutes. If a contestant goes over the time limit, a penalty
will be assessed. - No music is to be displayed on stage. Any fiddle tune played in old-time style will be
acceptable. If contestants have any doubts about the acceptability of a certain tune, they should
ask the judges about it. Trick or fancy fiddling is not allowed. - If a string breaks, the fiddler will decide whether to continue or to begin again with the tune in
which the string broke. Time is suspended during repairs. - Judging criteria will include old-time fiddling style, dance ability, rhythm, timing, and tone
quality. Contestants are required to play in their age division. - Contestants are encouraged to provide their own accompanist. Only acoustic instruments will
be allowed and no more than three instruments as accompaniment. A thank you to your
accompanist is recommended. - Fiddle is defined as all treble clef instruments in the violin family not classified as a viola,
cello or double bass. Each contestant may enter a maximum of 3 categories (divisions) including
picking categories. - You DO NOT need to be a member of the UOTF to compete in the Utah State Fiddle Contest. This is not a Wieser certified contest.
Pickers/Harmonica Players Division Rules
- Pickers/Harmonica players shall choose guitar, mandolin, harmonica, or banjo and play by age
groups. - A round shall consist of two tunes: one fast and one slow. A fast tune is not a slow tune
(such as a waltz) played fast. A slow tune is not a fast tune (such as a reel) played slow. - Contestants may play one of the four instruments; may compete in more than one category,
maximum of 3 categories including fiddle divisions. (ie; Junior fiddle, Junior mandolin, and
Junior banjo) - A round shall not last more than 3 minutes. If a contestant goes over the time limit, a
penalty will be assessed. - A contestant may play a tune only once during the contest. No music is to be displayed on
stage. - Contestants are encouraged to bring an accompanist. Only acoustic instruments will be
allowed. A thank you to your accompanist is recommended. - If a string breaks, the player will decide whether to continue or to begin again with the tune in
which the string broke. Time is suspended during repairs. - This is not a Wieser certified contest. You DO NOT need to be a member of the UOTF to
compete in the Utah State Fiddle Contest.