The courthouse square in Smithville will come alive when the 43rd annual Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree and Crafts Festival begins Friday. The event will be held July 4-5, and will feature several competitions in old-time Appalachian music and dance, including the country Music Beginners National Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Competition will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday. Friday will see first, second and third place winners in the categories of: Old Time Appalachian Folksinging (Solo); Junior Clogging (ages 13-39); Junior Buck Dancing (ages 13-39); Old-Time Appalachian Folksinging (Duet, Trio, Quartet); Dobro Guitar; Mountain Dulcimer; Hammer Dulcimer; Novelty Event (Spoon Clacking, Jug Blowing, Washboard, Tub, Saws-Appalachian Related Only); Autoharp, Gospel Singing (Solo); Country Harmonica; Old Time Banjo; Youth Square Dancing (4 Couples-8 Total Dancers); Gospel Singing (Duet,Trio, and Quartet); Mandolin; and Old Time Fiddle Band.

First place winners in each category win $125, $100 for second and $75 for third except Youth Square Dancing, which pays $300 for the top spot, $200 for second place and $100 for third, and Old Time Fiddle Band, with a prize of $525 for first place, $425 for second and $325 for third.

State Senator Mae Beavers and State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Mark Pody will present a United States flag and a Tennessee State flag that have been flown over the state capitol to the Jamboree visitors who travel the longest distance to attend the festival, one from inside and one from outside the U.S., on Friday evening.

Competition in the following categories will be held on Saturday: Junior Old Time Appalachian Flatfoot dance (ages up to 39); Senior Old Time Appalachian Flatfoot dance (ages 40 and over); Senior Buckdancing (ages 40 and over); Senior Clogging (ages 40 and over); Bluegrass Banjo; Junior Fiddlers (ages 13-39); Flat Top Guitar; Contest Fiddle for the Neil Dudney Award; Bluegrass Band; Senior Fiddlers (ages 40 and over); and Square Dancing (4 Couples - 8 Total Dancers).

The prize for Junior and Senior Fiddlers is $225 for first place, $175 for second and $150 for third. Bluegrass Band pays $525 for first place, $425 for second and $325 for third.

Square Dancing winners take home $400 for first place; $300 for second and $200 for third. The remaining categories pay $125 for first place, $100 for second and $75 for third.

The National Championship for Country Musician Beginners is set for Saturday afternoon. The event will include Buck Dancing, Clogging, Dobro Guitar, Mandolin, Five String Banjo, Flat Top Guitar, and Fiddle competitions for children up to age 12.

All categories in the beginner’s competition win $100 for first place, $75 for second and $50 for third.

A Best Overall Instrumental Entertainer Trophy Award will also be chosen for a $125 prize, and the James G. "Bobo" Driver Memorial Trophy and $175 will go to the best young fiddler. Junior and Senior Fiddle winners will compete for the Berry C. Williams Memorial Trophy on Saturday night. The Grand Champion wins $300 as well.

Craft awards for Best of Show, Best Appalachian Craft, Best Newcomer, and Best Craft Display will also be awarded during the course of the festival.