As new members of our Chatham County community, Chatham Park is powering our Go See This series this year because art is an integral part of Chatham County’s identity. They join us in inviting you to Go See This . . .
The 13th Annual Hoppin’ John Old-Time & Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention is being hosted at Shakori Hills this weekend–Thursday, Sept 12 through Saturday, September 14. It’s three days of music, camping, dancing, and a total of $3,500 in contest prizes with band and individual contests from old-time banjo and fiddle to guitar and mandolin. If you love music but don’t play, you can enter the Hoppin’ John cook-off contest. (Word to the wise: pre-registration is required for all contestants!)
There are too many artists and performances to count, but this year the Fiddler’s showcase is an all women line-up! Richie Stearns and friends will play during the Saturday concert. The Singing Showcase includes Sheila Kay Adams, Tim Wells, and Eliza Meyer. The Contest emcees will be Chatham County’s own Tommy Edwards and Patrick Walsh. Emily and Martha Spencer of the White Top Mountain Band, Tatiana Hargreaves, Betty Vornbrock, Aila Wildman, Richie Stearns, Hilary Dirlam, and Trish Kilby Fore will all perform in the Musician Showcase.
Not sure what “Hoppin’ John” is? It’s a southern food tradition. Usually it’s black eyed peas, some sort of pork fat, and lots of veggies and spices…depending on your family tradition. Then you put it over rice. YUM! My granny and my aunt cooked up big batches and canned them every summer.
Each year, the convention culminates in a Hoppin’ John cook-off on Saturday. All the hoppin’ john chefs bring cooking devices and ingredients and set up at their stations to make the magic. You can even get free admission on Saturday if you’re one of the cook-off contestants. The cook-off is dedicated in memory of Charles Murphy and Jasen Morin, the folks who cooked up this idea many years ago.
And we can’t forget the littles. There’s plenty of educating the littles through the arts here at the festival as well, including children’s fiddle and guitar sessions, musical hay rides, children’s clogging, family square dancing, songs and story time, and youth instrument and dance contests.
The cost for admission depends on how much fun and music you can handle. There are different options from day passes to all weekend passes to camping passes. Take a look at the ticket and camping admission prices here: https://hoppinjohn.org/tickets-camping/. All proceeds go to the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center to continue to fund programs that bring together community to enjoy one another, music, art, dance, and so much more!
Go See This
- Event Name: 2019 Hoppin’ John Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention
- Event Host: Shakori Hills Community Arts Center
- Event Days, Dates, Times: Thursday, September 12 at 2 p.m. through Saturday, September 14 at 5 p.m.
- Event Location: Shakori Hills, 1439 Henderson Tanyard Road, Pittsboro, NC
- Cost of Admission: https://hoppinjohn.org/tickets-camping/
- For more info: https://hoppinjohn.org and Facebook event page
Your 2019 Go See This Sponsor
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