More than 300 people descended upon the Blackwood Mineral Spring Caravan Park to revel at the displaced Yarra Junction Fiddler’s Convention.
Some fantastic jams flourished throughout the weekend in all styles, Old-timey and Bluegrass dominating the fare. Beginners were encouraged to join in and all levels of players contributed their skills to the musical atmosphere. Workshops for fiddle, banjo, guitar and ukelele were well attended and many good tips exchanged.
A wooden stage was assembled for the event and it was host to many great performers with Cajun dancing a popular attraction.
One of the Blackwood caravan park regulars commented that the music was the best he had heard there in 30 years.
The Fiddler’s Convention continues to be one of the best bluegrass festivals on the calendar and we thank Ken McMaster for his considerable contribution in organising this event. Proceeds for the event (about $1700) were donated to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
Next year the Yarra Junction Fiddlers’ Convention will return to it’s eponymously named site, but it will now be on the first weekend of May.
Submitted by Steve Jackson
Greg,
Thanks for the tunes whilst jamming with you at Blackwood.
It was an excellent festival. I left with a few new tunes to learn.
Well done to both the Jones and Dear families and Ken McMaster for putting together a good alternative site under pressing circumstances.
John