The long holiday weekend seemed to boost the crowds for this year’s Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival with thousands of visitors braving the heat and humidity for the event. While the competitions began at 9 a.m. Friday, the opening ceremonies didn’t start until 6 p.m. that evening. The day’s events would not end until early Saturday morning.
During the opening ceremony, Doug Ferguson, a minister of the Smithville Church of Christ, gave a prayer, followed by the presentation of the colors by the Smithville Fire Department and the National Anthem performed by a fiddler.
State and U.S. flags were presented to visitors to the Jamboree, one for farthest in the state, another for farthest in the United States, and one for farthest travelers in the world. Congressman John Rose’s Chief of Staff, Van Hilleary, presented a United States flag to Pete and Pat Morris of Belfast, Northern Ireland, while State Representative Michael Hale presented Tennessee State flags to Becky Givens of Memphis, and Justin and Jennifer Woody of Everett, Washington.
The Smithville/DeKalb Community Chorus then wowed the crowd with their performance of patriotic music, featuring a tribute to veterans and the Grand Ole Opry on its 100th birthday in 2025.
Of course, the music competitions were the highlight of the event, and several musicians were presented awards throughout the day. The following are the Friday award winners:
Old Time Appalachian Folk Singing (Solo) - sponsored by The Vintage Owl: First place went to Adam Chrisman of Tracy City, while second was given to Larry Chunn of Greenbrier. The third-place winner was Everett Hammond of Brentwood.
Junior Clogging (Ages 13-39) - sponsored by Evins Mill Resort & Retreat: Jacob Fennell of Dickson won first place, while Trebel Chunn of Greenbrier took second. Elizabeth Clark of Barren Plains came in third.
Junior Buck Dancing (Ages 13-39) - sponsored by Matt Boss, Attorney at Law: The first-place honor went to Elizabeth Clark of Barren Plains, while second was presented to Trebel Chunn of Greenbrier. Third place went to Eden Harris of Rockvale.
Old Time Appalachian Folk Singing (Duet, Trio, Quartet) - sponsored by the Male Room Brotique: Smithville’s own Sarah Cripps took first place, while Sarah Harris of Rockvale was second. Ty McMeans of Athens, AL, came in third.
Dobro Guitar - sponsored by Kilgore’s Restaurant: Robbie Harris of Rockvale came in first, with longtime Jamboree performer Rob Pearcy of Smyrna taking second. Third place went to Nick Norris of Nashville.
Mountain & Hammer Dulcimer and Autoharp - sponsored by Middle Tennessee Jewelry -Cookeville: Rob Pearcy claimed first, while Nick Norris was second. Third went to Pat Van Goroen of Eagleville.
Novelty Event - sponsored by TraChic: Nick Norris claimed first, while Don Derby of Columbia was second. Lily Goebel of Elkton, KY was third.
Gospel Singing (Solo) - sponsored by Fluty’s: First place was awarded to Sarah Harris of Rockvale, with second going to Angelica Branum of Murfreesboro. Third went to Brock Ealey of Cookeville.
Country Harmonica - sponsored by Hohner Harmonica: Rob Pearcy was first, with Kyle Twilley of Old Hickory taking second. David Swanger of Nashville was third.
Old Time Banjo - sponsored by Deering Banjo: First was presented to Daniel Rothwell of Smyrna, with Rob Pearcy of Smyrna taking second. Trenton “Tater” Caruthers of Cookeville was third.
Youth Square Dancing - sponsored by TN Entertainment Commission: Tennessee Rhythm of Greenbrier took the top spot, while DeKalb Dancin’ Delights of Smithville came in second. Center Hill Hoedown of Smithville came in third.
Gospel Singing (Duet, Trio, & Quartet) - sponsored by State Representative Michael Hale: Cornelia Overton and Sarah Cripps of Smithville placed first, with The Huckleberries of Fort Payne, AL, coming in second. Harris and Branum of Rockvale came in third.
Mandolin - sponsored by Bill Luton: First place went to Noah Goebel of Elkton, KY, with second going to Sarah Hattaway of Bowling Green, KY. Third place went to Nick Norris of Nashville.
Old Time Fiddle Band - sponsored by the IBMA: The Frog Leg Pickers of Smyrna came in first, while second was The Old Time Ramblers of Nashville. Third went to The Clarence Carter Family of Rockvale.
NCHC (National Clogging Hoedown Championships) Traditional Duo - sponsored by Cody Tipton, Realtor: Kody and Jamie Hash of Maryville claimed first place, while second went to Elizabeth Clark and Kamry Patterson of Barren Plains. Third place was presented to Herman and Frank of Old Hickory.
NCHC (National Clogging Hoedown Championships) Hoedown - sponsored by DeKalb County Florist: Tennessee Rhythm of Greenbrier claimed first, while second went to Smithville Select. Third place was given to Harpeth River of Franklin.
