Country and bluegrass fans from all around the country and the world descended on the small town of Smithville last weekend, braving the heat and humidity, and taking in some great competitions on the stage. The 51st Annual Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival was underway, and the hometown crowd had a lot to cheer about with several local artists taking home prizes, including Smithville’s own Smithville Select Square Dancing Team who was crowned as the winner of the Youth Square Dancing event.
During the Friday competitions, Smithville Select, led by Mary Ann Puckett, wowed the evening crowd with their skills on the stage. The accomplishment is the first time a local team has been crowned as champion. Jackson Hollow of Franklin, TN, was named as second place, while the third place award went to Steppin’ Time of Dickson, TN.
During the opening ceremony Friday evening, local officials welcomed the crowd and even gave away a few prizes. County Mayor Tim Stribbling welcomed visitors to DeKalb, while Smithville Mayor Josh Miller also addressed the crowd.
Current State Senator for DeKalb County, Mark Pody, made an appearance and introduced soon to be State Senator for the area, Janice Bowling. Pody and Bowling gave away flags flown over the state capitol to Jamboree visitors who traveled the longest distances to get here. Tennessee State Flags went to Claire Morris of Memphis, TN, and Marymargaret Saldana of Denair, CA. A United States flag was presented to Christine Cordova of Uganda, East Africa, for being the traveler from the farthest distance.
State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver was unable to attend the opening ceremony due to a scheduled debate, but did show up to address the crowd later that evening.
As always, the Smithville/DeKalb Community Chorus got the crowd fired up before the evening competitions with their renditions of patriotic music, with group, solo, and even a children’s performance. “Let there be peace on earth” was performed as white doves were released from the stage.
Results for the Friday competitions are as follows:
In the Old Time Appalachian Folk Singing (Solo) category, first place went to Smithville’s own Sarah Cripps. Second place was presented to Lily Goebel of Elkton, KY, while third place went to Michael Klug of Madison, TN.
In Junior Clogging (Ages 13-39), the first place prize went to Jacob Fennell of Dickson, TN, while Jamie Hash of Walland, TN, took second. Third place was awarded to Arlee Fowlkes of Hurricane Mills.
For the Junior Buck Dancing (Ages 13-39) category, Kody Hash of Walland, TN, took first place, while second place went to Jacob Fennell of Dickson, TN. Jamie Hash of Walland, TN was awarded third place.
The Old Time Appalachian Folksinging (Duet, Trio, Quartet) prize went to first place winners Sue Griffiths and Billy Kemp of Liberty, TN, while the second place award went to Larry and Cheryl Chunn of Greenbrier, TN. The third place winners were Sarah Cripps and Bob Burns of Smithville.
For Dobro Guitar Robbie Harris of Rockvale, TN, won first place, while second place went to Noah Goebel of Elkton, KY. Third place was awarded to Tylar Andal of Nashville.
In the Mountain Dulcimer competition, first place was presented to Kendra Ward of Bidwell, OH, while Tyler Andal of Nashville took second. Third place went to Lisa Tressler of Madison, AL.
The Hammer Dulcimer category saw Kendra Ward of Bidwell, OH, take first place, while second place was given to Nicole Tressler of Madison, AL. There was no other entries.
One of the crowd favorites, the Novelty Event saw Jim Owens of Deatsville, AL, win first place, while second place went to the Twin Fiddlers of Murfreesboro, TN. The third place prize went to Marshall Murphy of Knoxville, TN.
In the Autoharp category, Beth Rickert of Inverness, FL, took home the prize, while in the Gospel Singing (Solo) competition, first place was awarded to Angelica Branum of Murfreesboro. Second place went to Larry Chunn of Greenbrier, TN, while Tim Hartman of Lyles, TN, took third.
For Country Harmonica, Jim Owens of Deatsville, AL, won first place, with second place going to Bill Harpole of Smithville.
In the Old Time Banjo competition, Daniel Rothwell of Smyrna, TN, won first place, while Trenton “Tater” Caruthers of Cookeville took second. Third place went to Tyler Andal of Nashville.
The Gospel Singing (Duet, Trio, & Quartet) category saw Clearview of Hilham, TN, take the top spot, while second place was awarded to Larry and Cheryl Chunn of Greenbrier, TN. Third place was presented to Jack Horner and Anna Pennesi of Murfreesboro.
In the Mandolin category, first place went to Noah Goebel of Elkton, KY, while second place was presented to Tyler Andal of Nashville. Third place went to Justin Branum of Murfreesboro.
The final competition for Friday evening was the Old Time Fiddle Band, with Tater and the Po’tates of Nashville taking the top prize. Second place went to The Cumberland Stump-Jumpers of Madison, TN, while Blue Grass Experience of Clinton, TN, took third.
