On behalf of our entire family and the good citizens of Union Grove, VanHoy Farms is proud to announce the return of the Union Grove Old Time Fiddlers' Convention on Easter Weekend, April 6-7 2012.

Over $6000.00 dollars will be given away in prize money to the best bands and individuals in Bluegrass and Old Time music categories.

The best in Bluegrass and Old Time music will be showcased on 2 stages in 2 days at VanHoy Farms, one of the premier venues in the South.

The main stage will be held under roof in the H.P. VanHoy Arena, with seating for 10,000 people. A second stage will be outside by the 'Old Tobacco Barn'.

VanHoy Farms is a full service Campground and can accommodate everyone, from full hookups to primitive tent sites.

Food vendors will be on site during the event. A general store will be open during the convention and will be selling camping supplies, food/water and ice.

We are looking forward to the revival of this amazing Bluegrass and Old Time tradition... with wonderful pickers and wonderful fans. We hope you and your family will join us this Easter for the Union Grove Old Time Fiddlers' Convention..."You're as welcome here as the flowers in May."

Friday $10

Saturday $15

Advanced 2 day $20

Tent/Primitive Camping $10.00

Call for additional info on reservations/pricing for full hookup camping.

We have advanced ticket orders with Visa or Mastercard. If you purchased tickets online, please bring a copy of your receipt and a valid id.

For more information or to order tickets call 704-539-5493.

Friday

• Parking Lot/Campground Jams

On the Main Stage

• 6:00pm - Band TBA
• 7:00pm - Band TBA
• 8:00pm - Al Wood & the Smokey Ridge Boys
• 9:00pm - Dry Run
• 10:00pm - JAM on Stage
• 11:00pm – Parking Lot/Campground JAMS (Award will be presented on Saturday for Best Campground JAM Host)

Saturday

• 11:00am – On Site Registration opens
• Youth Registration Closes at 1:00pm
• Individual / Vocal Competition Closes at 3:00pm
• Band Registration Closes at 5pm (Band Leader meet at Registration for Lottery Drawing for Performance Slots at 5pm – Bands must compete in order drawn – Pre-Registered Bands will be drawn at random during drawing)
• 12 - 2:00pm Workshops (See Workshop Schedule Below)

Tobacco Barn Stage

• 2:00pm - Youth Competition
• 4:00pm - Individual Instrument and Vocal Competition

Main Stage

• 2:00 – 2:30pm - Clogging Performance – Green Grass Cloggers
• 3:30 – 4:30pm - Kruger Brothers
• 4:30 – 5:30pm - Super JAM with Heritage Pickers
• 6:00pm – Band Competition Begins
• 9:00pm - Break - Best Campground JAM Host Award
• 9:15pm - Band Competition Continues

Registration Rules:

1. Bands must consist of at least three different string instruments, one being a fiddle, guitar or banjo.
2. Bands must include at least one fiddle, banjo, or guitar.
3. Single entries, (Individual Category), will be optional (with one accompanist) in the afternoon competition. If competing in the afternoon competition he/she can still perform in the evening band competition but will not be judged individually during band performance. Ruling will be the same for 'Vocal' entries. If competing in vocal as a part of a band, he/she can also be judged in an instrument category.
4. Contestants must purchase ticket of admission. There is no registration fee.
5. No adults may perform in Youth bands. Youth contest (Most Promising Talent) is for 11yrs. and under -and 12yrs. – 16yrs. only.
6. Only Acoustic stringed instruments allowed.
7. Bands will draw in lottery system at 5pm to determine when to perform.
8. No amplified music can be played during the convention.
9. By performing all contestants agree that the VanHoy Farms may record and reproduce performances at the Old Time Fiddlers Convention, Union Grove, NC free of claim.
10. Judging will be based upon: tuning, timing, stage presence and audience response.
11. The Judges decisions are final.
12. Registration will begin at 11am. Entries will be accepted up until 1 hour before the start of each competition category.
13. No alcohol or illegal substances will be allowed.
14. Violation of the above rules will result in disqualification of contestant.
15. Ticket money will be refunded when musician plays and wristband marked Refunded after performance.

Over $6,000 in Payouts!

Category	1st  Place	2nd  Place	3rd  Place
Bluegrass(Band)	$ 800.00	$ 300.00	$ 200.00
Old Time (Band)	$ 800.00	$ 300.00	$ 200.00
Fiddle (Bluegrass)	$ 325.00	$ 100.00	$ 50.00
Fiddle (Old Time)	$ 325.00	$ 100.00	$ 50.00
Banjo (Bluegrass)	$ 250.00	$ 100.00	$ 50.00
Banjo (Old Time)	$ 250.00	$ 100.00	$ 50.00
Guitar	$ 250.00	$ 100.00	$ 50.00
Mandolin	$ 250.00	$ 100.00	$ 50.00
Bass	$ 250.00	$ 100.00	$ 50.00
Dobro	$ 250.00	$ 100.00	$ 50.00
AutoHarp	$ 250.00	$ 100.00	$ 50.00
Vocal	$ 75.00	$ 50.00	$ 25.00
Most Promising Talent (11 & under)	$ 50.00	$ 25.00	Ribbon
Most Promising Talent(12-16 yrs. old)	$ 50.00	$ 25.00	Ribbon

Clay Lunsford to organize Workshops!

VanHoy Farms is proud to announce that the president of the NC Thumb & Finger style Association, Mr. Clay Lunsford will be organizing the instructional workshops to be held at the Union Grove Old Time Fiddlers Convention, Saturday, April 7th.

For over 50 years, Clay has played all over the world, and in that time, has recorded over 40 albums and CDs with numerous artists and groups, and is fast approaching 10,000 live appearances.

Local favorite, Tom Watts writes; “Clay has played guitar and performed with the Lunsford family band, the Gospel Voices, about anywhere one of three big band buses can travel. He is the president and founder of the North Carolina Thumb & Finger-style Guitar Association, a well-known and respected organization whose purpose is to promote, teach and enjoy the special guitar style known as “thumb picking.” In these and other associations has performed thousands of times with an all sorts of bands and other musicians. He is recognized as one of the most talented and most gentlemanly of players and his skills continue to grow as he explores new styles and ways of making the guitar speak the language of music”.

Clay mastery of many musical styles and instruments makes him uniquely qualified for this important aspect of the convention.

Clay, is also a relative of Bascom Lamar Lunsford, known as the minstrel of the Appalachians and author of the song Old Mt. Dew.

Clay would like to emphasis that everyone is invited to participate in the workshops no matter what the age or skill level.

WorkShop Schedule

Tent #1 - Flat Picking Guitar

• 12:00-12:30pm Wayne Henderson
• 12:30- 1:00 Paul Hill
• 1:00- 1:30 Steve Kilby
• 1:30- 2:00 Jam

Tent #2 - Guitar Thumbstyle

• 12:00-12:30pm Moon Mullins
• 12:30- 1:00 Steve Barker
• 1:00- 1:30 Todd Hallawell
• 1:30- 2:00 Jam

Tent #3 - Bluegrass Banjo / Old Time Banjo

• 12:00 - 12:30pm Al Wood
• 12:30- 1:00 Jason Shumaker
• 1:00- 1:30 Kent Dowell
• 1:30- 2:00 Laura Boosinger

Tent #4 - Fiddle Bluegrass/ Old Time / Autoharp

• 12:00-12:30pm Dirk Dowell
• 12:30- 1:00 Bob Anderson/Jack Lunsford-Old Time
• 1:00- 1:30 Mary Umbarger-Autoharp
• 1:30- 2:00 Jam

Tent #5 - Mandolin / Upright Bass

• 12:00-12:30pm Lou Reid
• 12:30- 1:00 Billy G-Upright Bass
• 1:00- 2:00 Jam

**Note : Cloggers Performance Main Stage 2:00pm- 2:45pm

Tent #6 - VIP Tent

• 3:00-4:00pm Krggers Brothers
• 4:00- 5:00 Super Jam

Tent #7 - Prophet/Gideons Tent

NOTE: All workshop musicians will meet @ 10:30am @ swimming pool office for welcome

We're relaxed here in Union Grove, but we do have a few rules:

• The Old Time Fiddlers Convention will be a family event
• No alcohol - no drugs to be brought onto the grounds.
• Behavior - we want everyone to be able to hear properly, and to respect the performers, as well as fellow listeners...inside the arena and out. If you're ladies and gentlemen at home, we know you'll be ladies and gentlemen here.

Address:

VanHoy Farms
742 Jericho Rd.

Written Directions:

VanHoy Farms Family Campground is located in Union Grove, Iredell County, North Carolina. We're just 12 miles north of Statesville on I-77 at Exit 65 and NC 901. We're about 300 yards off of I-77 on Jericho Road.

Directions by Google Maps:

We want to hear what you've got to say! Contact us via mail, e-mail or telephone.

Address:

VanHoy Farms Family Campground
P.O. Box 38
Union Grove, NC 28689

Phone:

704-539-5493 

Email:

Casey VanHoy | Casey@VanHoyFarms.com