The 52nd Annual Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree and Crafts Festival is in the books and we can't say it went off without a hitch. While the evening competitions for Friday had to be called off due to extreme weather, Saturday's competitions also faced a three-hour delay due to rain and lightning. Once up and back going, the events stretched into the early hours of Sunday, with the fiddle champion being crowned at nearly 1:30 a.m.
This year was a repeat for last year's Fiddle Champion with 14-year-old Noah Goebel of Elkton, KY, once again earning his way to the Fiddling Title. Goebel won the Junior Fiddling contest earlier in the evening , then took on the Senior Fiddling Champion, Sarah Harris of Rockvale, TN, in the Fiddle-Off for the Berry C. Williams Memorial Award. Harris is a two-time Grand Fiddling champion from several years ago.
With the win, Goebel will once again be invited by the Grand Ole Opry to play a ‘fiddle tune’ for the Opry square dancers’ during a selected show. The Opry has partnered with the Smithville Jamboree since 2022 to offer this exciting opportunity to the fiddle champion, as a way to honor the tradition and talent of country music fiddlers.
Two years ago, Goebel won the Beginners Fiddling Title and was the youngest fiddler to have ever claimed the Jamboree’s Grand Champion award. Jamboree President Kim Luton presented Goebel his award at the conclusion of the festival.
Other competition winners during Saturday's events were as follows:
In the Junior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance category, first place went to Jamie Hash of Walland, TN, while second place went to Elizabeth Clark of Springfield, TN. Third place was presented to Colleena Ralston of Lebanon.
For Senior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance, Danny Campbell of Murfreesboro took the first place prize, while second place went to Tammy Scruggs of Lebanon. The third place award went to Anthony Harrell of Mount Juliet.
The Senior Buck Dancing prize was awarded to Tammy Scruggs of Lebanon, with second place going to Tim Hartman of Lyles, TN. Third place was presented to Danny Campbell of Murfreesboro.
In Senior Clogging competition Anthony Harrell of Mount Juliet took first place, while second place went to Jason Wade of Paris, TN. Tammy Scruggs of Lebanon claimed third place.
In the new Duo Clogging category, the top prize went to Makayla Foster and Jamie Hash of Cookeville, while second place went to Elizabeth Clark and Kamry Patterson of Springfield. Third place went to Ralston-Fowlkes of Lebanon.
For Bluegrass Banjo, Alex Davis of Manchester was the big winner, with second place going to Axel Rico of Smithville. Cody Harvey of Chattanooga took third.
In Flat Top Guitar, first place went to Rob Pearcy of Smyrna, with second place going to Noah Goebel of Elkton, KY. Third place went to Ty McMeans of Athens, AL.
For Contest Fiddle, the Neil Dudney Memorial Award went to Noah Goebel, while Tyler Andal of Nashville claimed second. Sarah Harris of Rockvale, TN took third. The award was presented to Goebel by Dudney’s daughter Janet England, two of his grandchildren, Ethan and Brandon Shaw, and great grandson Carson Shaw. Dudney, who passed away in October, 2018 served as President and Coordinator of the Fiddlers Jamboree for 16 years until he stepped down in 2008.
In the popular Bluegrass Band category, first place went to Clearview of Hilham. Second place was awarded to Blue Cove Mountain Grass of Chattanooga, with third going to First Southern Flavor of Salem Virginia.
In the Square Dancing category, first place was awarded to Jackson Hollow of Franklin, TN, while second was given to Tennessee Dance Alliance of Mount Juliet. Step Aside of Dickson claimed third.
In the Junior Fiddlers competition, Goebel took the top spot, while second place went to Tyler Andal of Nashville. Third place went to Joe Overton of Smithville.
For the Senior Fiddlers category, Sarah Harris of Rockvale, TN claimed the prize. Second place went to Rob Pearcy of Smyrna.
