Fiddle & Bango Contest

05/11/2023

Please support this event by participating or sharing this to your page!
The Delacy Memorial Golf Tournament 2023
Sunday November 12th in Twain Harte!

25/09/2023

Local non-profit, Rock in Road, produced the event for the second time this past Saturday, after taking it over from the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, in 2022. Columbia's Fiddle & Bango Contest is a perfect fit for this group whose main objective is to support youth music instruction locally. Rock in Road hopes to preserve this beloved tradition and keep Columbia's Fiddle & Bango Contest accessible to players of all skill levels, while increasing youth participation along the way.

This year's competition was won, and a beautiful gold nugget grand prize was claimed, by 16 year old fiddler, Samuel Krauss, of Modesto, CA. All ranges of skill were exhibited and a great time was had by the audience and participants alike, on a beautiful day in Columbia Historic State Park. Noone played in the Mandolin category this year, so balance was restored during the lunchtime judges' jam featuring three mandolins being played by Richard Sholer, Owen Ragland, and Kat Baker.

Rock in Road would especially like to thank the businesses that sponsored this year's Columbia Fiddle & Bango Contest: Strawberry Music Festival, Columbia Mercantile 1855, Ebler's Leather & Saddle Emporium, Juniper Moon Tattoo, Live Oak Music, City Hotel Restaurant & What Cheer Saloon, The Jamestown Hotel, Bella Union Restaurant, Columbia Frosty, The Water Wheel Saloon, Inner Sanctum Cellars, The Game Room, St. Charles Saloon, and Seven Sisters Soap & Candle Shop, and a dedicated team of volunteers: Kat Baker, Jodi Barnett, Bix Beeman, Tanner Brians, Mark Curfman, Leslie Davis, Tom Jepson, Michael Miller, Emily Orth, Owen Ragland, Richard Sholer, Josh Weeks, Grant and Becky Whittington, and Theo Witcher.

Rock in Road's next event is the Bandstand concert at Inner Sanctum Cellars in Columbia, CA from 3-8pm on Saturday, October 21. This year's Bandstand features musical performances by The Neighborhood Sound, Lucky CuZn Brass Band, Grover Anderson & The Lampoliers, Honey Run, and Richard Sholer & Owen Ragland. All proceeds fund local instrument purchase and repair for local school music programs. Visit rockinroad.org for more information and please see our flyer attached.

We appreciate your help sharing this news. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Jodi Barnett
Producer

Michael Miller
Media Contact
[email protected]

24/09/2023

THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT TO ENJOY THE EVENT!

24/09/2023

The 39th Fiddle & Bango top honors are as follows:

Fiddle:
#1 Samuel Krauss
#2 Tyler Emery
#3 Rick Barlow

Bango:
#1 Chuck Waldman
#2 David Boone
#3 David Carlson

Guitar:
#1 Rick Barlow
#2 Steve Kenworthy
#3 Jacob Williamson

Vocal:
#1 Sandy Shore
#2 Roberto Alveraz
#3 Amy Frazer

Misc:
#1 John Watson

Original Song:
#1 Tater
#2 Steve Lavine
#3 Mike Merrit

Guts Award: Amy Frazer
Great Promise: Ellie

Audience Choice:
Camden P.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:
Samuel Krauss!

24/09/2023

Thanks again to our sponsors!

24/09/2023

Announcements tomorrow!

23/09/2023

Come join us!

23/09/2023

Come on down if you aren't here already.

23/09/2023

Good morning players & watchers! Rise & Shine!
Today is the Big Bango!
Sign-ups begin at 9:00am. Competition begins at 10:30am.
The Gazebo in Columbia awaits you and your chair!

22/09/2023

It all happens tomorrow in Columbia State Historic Park.

Thanks again to all our sponsors!

22/09/2023

Come on out tomorrow!
Here are some guidlines for contestants.

You can begin to sign-up at 9:00am.
Contest begins at 10:30am.

22/09/2023

Hey! Are you coming out on Saturday? Let us know!

20/09/2023

Here it is our t-shirt design for 2023. Designed by Tim McCaffrey. We will have these available at the contest in men and women styles.

20/09/2023

Hey folks! We are going to reveal this year's t-shirt design tomorrow morning, 9/20/23 at 9:00am. We will have both men and women fit shirts this year.

19/09/2023

Going back again.

19/09/2023

Live Oak Music

City Hotel Restaurant and What Cheer

Bella Union Restaurant (The Columbia House Restaurant)

are sponsors of this years contest.

18/09/2023

The Jamestown Hotel
is one of our sponsors.

Experience the history of the Jamestown Hotel. Located near Yosemite National Park and the wild and scenic landscape of Tuolumne County.

www.thejamestownhotel.com

18/09/2023

We support the ever popular Poison Oak Show. At The St. Charles Saloon. Same day as our contest. Please stop by.

16/09/2023

Inner Sanctum Cellars Basecamp

Water Wheel Saloon and Pizza Parlor

The Game Room

Columbia Frosty

are all sponsors of the 39th Fiddle & Bango Contest!

15/09/2023

Juniper Moon Tattoo
is one of our many sponsors.

www.junipermoontattoo.com
1 209-432-8945

Located in beautiful Twain Harte, California Juniper Moon Tattoo offers professional tattoos in a clean and welcoming environment.

22997 Joaquin Gully Rd, STE G • Twain Harte, CA 95383

15/09/2023

Columbia Mercantile 1855
is one of our many sponsors.
www.columbiamercantile1855.com
209-288-7885

One of a kind Gold Rush-style Provisioning Store offering Full-Service Quality Groceries at Fair Prices

Fresh Locally Ranched Meat, Organic Produce, and Flower Bouquets, International Specialty Items, Fresh Baked Sourdough Bread, Staples, Spices, Frozen & Microwavable Meals, Dairy & Cheeses, and extensive Organic, Gluten-Free, Vegan, and Non-Dairy options.

Beverages - Bottled Water, Local Wines, Craft Beer, Hard Cider & Kombucha, Sarsparilla, and Sodas

Ice Cream, Old Fashioned Cookies and Sweets

OTC Pharmacy and Sundries, Music Supply Store, Antiques, Homegoods, and Collectibles, Garden, and Argonaut Fine Art Gallery

15/09/2023

Ebler's Leather & Saddlery Emporium
is one of our many sponsors this year!
22751 Main Street - Columbia, California
209-532-1811
www.eblerleather.com

Ebler's Leather and Saddle Emporium opened in the Gold Rush town of Columbia, California in the 1860's. It began as a Saddle Shop and a place for trading goods and repairing items such as saddles, horse tack, and leather apparel. Fast forward to the 21st century in April of 2012 Mike and Cheryl Nelson (re) opened its doors (honoring the original establishment), and expanded Ebler's to include selling boots, moccasins, new and vintage leather goods, and Native American Jewelry. A leather adventure awaits you..

15/09/2023

Local Columbia Spotlight.
The Columbia House Restaurant

13/09/2023

Sunday!

The annual Columbia Fine Art Show is this Sunday, Sept. 17th, 9:00am-5:00pm. Come browse and shop a large selection of paintings, pottery, photography and sculptures on Main Street at Columbia State Historic Park! Free parking, free admission.

13/09/2023

Local Columbia spotlight.
Towle and Leavitt
(more to come)

11/09/2023

Going "Back in Time".

11/09/2023

Local Columbia spotlight.
Kamice's Photographic Establishment
(more to come)

09/09/2023

Local Columbia spotlight.
St. Charles Saloon
(more to come)

08/09/2023

Local Columbia spotlight.
City Hotel Restaurant and What Cheer Saloon
(more to come)

08/09/2023

Local Columbia spotlight:
Columbia Mercantile 1855
Featuring a selection of musical instruments.
(more to come)

07/09/2023

some of the usual suspects!
Seeking would be players and crowds to watch.
message us with questions.

27/08/2023

What was your favorite Fiddle & Bango Contest memory?

25/08/2023

Saturday September 23, 2023.
10:30am
Sign-ups start at 9:30am.
The Gazebo in Columbia State Historic Park.
Message us for more info!

28/09/2022

A great time was had by all at this year's Columbia's Fiddle & Bango Contest. Thank you so much to everyone who attended and/or participated!

Rock in Road would like to acknowledge the hard working team of volunteers, without whom we could not have resurrected this beloved event: Jarod Slade, Erik Gold, Jessica Shapiro, Emily Orth, Jodi Barnett, and Sean Brennan, as well as a special shout out to our legendary panel of judges: Dave Shapiro, Pam Ivie, and Kent Stevenson, our ace sound team: Richard Sholer, Lawrence Drummond, and Bix Beeman, our wonderful new MC: Tim McCaffrey, our talented t-shirt designer: Peg Reza, and event photographer extraordinaire: Leslie Davis. A big round of applause goes out to the Lucky CuZn Brass Band for a super fun intermission performance! We would also like to thank David Simmerly and Ellen Stewart, from Sonora's very own low power FM radio, KAAD-LP for being there to record the special day.

Now, without further adieu, the winners of the 38th annual Columbia Fiddle & Bango Contest are...

Contest Winner (of all categories and recipient of famed gold nugget grand prize: Alex Sharps (fiddle), Columbia

Fiddle:
1st Place: Alex Sharps, Columbia
2nd Place: John Gregorin, Columbia
3rd Place: George Ellis, San Luis Obispo

Banjo:
1st Place: Andy Roberts, Mariposa
2nd Place: Chuck Waldman, Columbia
3rd Place: Alec Zachreson, Sonora

Mandolin:
1st Place: John Gwinner, Modesto
2nd Place: Nick Dodge, Coulterville

Guitar:
1st Place: Ryan Richelson, Mountain Ranch
2nd Place: Ben Ortiz, San Ramon
3rd Place: Alex “Muddy” Smith, Fernley, NV

Miscellaneous:
1st Place: Tina Louise Barr (autoharp), Modesto
2nd Place: Grant Niday (slide guitar), Sonora
3rd Place: Todd Bargman (harmonica), Sonora

Vocal:
1st Place: Patty Dahlstrom, Merced
2nd Place: Jimmy Lipscomb, Columbia

Original Song:
1st Place: Alex "Muddy" Smith, Fernely, NV
2nd Place: Richard Sholer, Sonora
3rd Place: Jesse Valentine, Jamestown

Congratulations and thank you for your participation! We look forward to seeing you all at next year's 39th annual Columbia Fiddle & Bango Contest.

27/08/2021

Columbia’s 38th Annual Fiddle & Bango Contest is being postponed from this year’s date on September 25th to a future date to be determined. More information will be shared when available, so please check back here in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your patience while we work to insure a safe, vibrant, and inclusive event for all involved.

24/08/2021

24/08/2021

29/09/2019

Congratulations Brian DeMassey, our 37th Annual grand prize winner and! Brian took home the gold in the vocal category. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in this year’s contest! It was a beautiful day with lots of great music and kind folk, as usual.