Berks Fiddle Fest at the Fleetwood Park

from Berks Fiddle Fest

Friends of Fleetwood Parks will present the annual Berks Fiddle Fest on Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Fleetwood Park, 334 W. Main St., Fleetwood. The gates open at 9 a.m., with main stage activities beginning at 10 a.m. and running to 6 p.m. Generous donations make this event possible. Donations will be accepted at the parking area as well as the festival donation buckets throughout the park. The event is held rain or shine.

The festival begins with the traditional worship service, followed by a variety of Americana bands on the Mainstage, as well as the popular main attraction of the all-ages fiddle competition. The Fire/Open Mic Stage features the Scottish Fire Qualifier and the Open Mic Area with emcee Noah Gibney. Pavilion Two hosts several workshops on Mandolin, Fiddle, Saw, and Harmonica. Roving the festival grounds will be The Rotten Parrots starting jam sessions with other musicians throughout the park.

The Kutztown Pipe Band will be playing bagpipes at the salute to our veterans, and Big Valley Bluegrass will be the grand finale concert on the Main Stage. Attendees are encouraged to bring their musical instruments and join in the jams or bring a lawn chair and simply listen.

Musical acts set to perform throughout the day include A Meadowood Music Student Showcase, The Keystone Fiddlers, Crow Hill Bluegrass Band, and The Get Reels playing Irish American music.

“We’re excited to bring this unique, one-of-a-kind festival to Fleetwood and celebrate the art of fiddling,” stated Patty Keeney, President of Friends of Fleetwood Parks. “We have a great schedule, great food, and great sponsors for the event. The day promises to be a terrific experience for the families and residents of Fleetwood and all of Berks County.”

“We’re thrilled to be calling the Fleetwood Park our new home,” said Larry Ross, Chairman of Berks Fiddle Fest. “We’re looking forward to a great day of sharing the artistry of fiddling and celebrating this wonderful art form. This year’s festival promises to be bigger and better than ever!”

The festival will also feature Fiddler Craft Row, where over 50 artisans will feature their crafts for sale, including handmade items and musical items. There is also a special area for crafters under 18 as well this year as a new added addition. There will also be a special raffle of a Martin acoustic guitar with tickets available to purchase at the event. All forms and rules for registration for competing in the Fiddle Competitions are at fleetwoodparks.com for download.

There will be plenty of food and beverages to purchase, including burgers, hot dogs, vegetarian vegetable soup, and drinks by The Friends of Fleetwood Park, whose concession stand will also offer a “Taste of Berks” with a featured specialty item from these restaurants: Bower’s Hotel, G & J Pizzeria & Bakery, Grand Central Taproom, The Shop Eatery, and Zola’s Pizzeria. Also featured is barbequed food by Freddy Bears Smokin’ Hot BBQ, hand-dipped ice cream by Pops Malt Shoppe, baked goods from the Fleetwood Library, and fresh-baked apple dumplings from Fleetwood Community Theatre.

The Berks Fiddle Fest is sponsored by the following local organizations and businesses: Platinum Fiddle Sponsor: Breidegam Family Foundation; Fiddle Competition Sponsor: Breakfast Brothers; Fiddle Workshop Sponsors: Long Acre Farm & Feed and M & M Mechanical; Open Mic Sponsors: Clarks TV and Appliance, Inc., Fleetwood Bank, Fleetwood Oriole’s Nest #23, Fleetwood Rotary, Lantek, Mae A. Stump Funeral Home, Meadowood Music, Re/Max of Reading, Richard Henry & Sandra L. Weidner Henry, Richmond St. Music, and Service Electric; Fiddlin’ Friend Sponsors: Ann Henry Home Décor, Boyer’s Food Market, Dick’s Service Station, Effective Graphic Solutions, Fleetwood American Legion, Fox Rose Farm, Friend, Inc., Grand Central Taproom & Restaurant, Homer’s Bar & Grill, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church – Bowers, Menchey Music Service, Inc, Statement Apparel, Inc., Miller Thielen, P.C., Weaver’s Hardware, and White Oak Dentistry; and Concession Stand Sponsors: Berks Products, Bob’s Bakery Barn, Bower’s Hotel, Fleetwood Beverage, G & J Pizzeria and Bakery, Grand Central Taproom & Restaurant, RednersMarkets, The Shop Eatery, The Restaurant Store, Zola’s Pizzeria, and Pure Wild Tea. Special thanks to the following businesses for their in-kind donations: Fleetwood Beverages, Paisley and Company, RednersMarkets, Richmond Produce, Tracey’s Flowers, and Turkey Hill.

For additional information about the Berks Fiddle Fest, visit www.fleetwoodparks.com or email berksfiddlefest@gmail.com.

Berks Fiddle Fest 2024 Schedule

Fiddler Craft Row
Over 50 vendors of crafts and more are open throughout the entire day.
Fiddler Craft Row, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jammin Area
Grab your instrument and jam with other fiddlers all day long, or just listen to the music.
Jammin Area, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Gospel Service
The annual tradition kicks off the festival.
Mainstage, starting at 10 a.m.

William Parker Mandolin Workshop
Get a special workshop on the Mandolin.
Pavilion 2, starting at 10 a.m.

Scottish Fire Qualifier
Fiddlers compete to qualify in the Scottish Fire Competition.
Fire/Open Mic Stage, starting at 10 a.m.

Meadowood Music Student Showcase
See the fiddlers of tomorrow.
Mainstage, starting at 10:30 a.m.

The Keystone Fiddlers
Enjoy this special concert of the Keystone Fiddlers.
Mainstage, starting at 11 a.m.

Addison Teal Fiddle Workshop
Grab your fiddle and attend this special workshop with Addison Teal.
Pavilion 2, starting at 11:30 p.m.

Crow Hill Bluegrass
Fiddling Concert from Crow Hill Bluegrass.
Mainstage, starting at 12 p.m.

Salute to America
A special salute to our country.
Mainstage, starting at 1 p.m.

Open Mic Hosted by Noah Gibney
Grab your instrument and enjoy the artists at our Open Mic Stage.
Fire/Open Mic Stage, starting at 1:30 p.m.

Fiddle Competition, Ages 12 and Under
Mainstage, starting at 1:30 p.m.

Musical Sawyer Sara Ruch Saw Workshop
If you have your own saw and bow, bring them! If you don’t, we’ll have a few, so anyone interested can try their hand at it!
Pavilion 2, starting at 2 p.m.

The Get Reels
Enjoy the fiddling of The Get Reels.
Mainstage, starting at 2:15 p.m.

Fiddle Competition Ages 13-17
Mainstage, starting at 2:45 p.m.

The Get Reels
Enjoy the fiddling of The Get Reels.
Mainstage, starting at 3:45 p.m.

Harmonica Workshop with Steve Walker
Steve Walker shows you the joy of the harmonica. Harmonicas will be available to purchase.
Pavilion 2, starting at 4 p.m.

Fiddle Competition Ages 18 and Over
Mainstage, starting at 4:15 p.m.

Fiddlemania, Awards, and Swing Low Jam
Mainstage, starting at 5:15 p.m.

Big Valley Blue Grass
The Grand Finale Concert.
Mainstage, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The Mainstage is sponsored by Breidegam Family Foundation. The Jammin Area is sponsored by Long Acre Farm and Feed. The Fire/Open Mic Stage is sponsored by M&M Mechanical.

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