Midday Interview: Homestead National Historical Park Fiddle Festival

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Homestead National Historical Park is hosting a Fiddle Festival this Memorial Day weekend.

Park Ranger Amber Kirkendall joined Channel 8 News at midday to talk about the event.

PRESS RELEASE

Homestead National Historical Park invites you to join us on Saturday May 25, 2024, and Sunday, May 26 for the Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival. This year’s festival will feature two days of activities dedicated to remembering the musical traditions of the Homestead Era. The event will kick off on Saturday, May 25, with a fiddle workshop at 10 a.m. and the annual Fiddle Festival competition starting at noon. There will be over $3,000 in prize money provided by the Leigh F. Jane M. and Leigh M. Coffin Foundation. There are four divisions this year. The Junior Division is for people who have played the fiddle for less than five years.

The Senior Division is for people who have played for five years or longer, the acoustic band division is for all acoustic bands, and the newly created picking division is for any contestant who plays a stringed instrument other than a fiddle.

Individuals will play three tunes, including a Hoedown, a Waltz, and a Tune of Choice. Bands will play two tunes of choice. Contestant(s) will be judged on pitch, tone, rhythm, and presentation. Start practicing now to make sure you give it your best shot!

Registration for the May 25, 2024, competition begins at 9:30 a.m. and the competition begins at noon with the Junior Division, followed by the Senior Division, Picking Division, and ending with the Acoustic Band Division.

There will be a free fiddle workshop, led by Terry Keefe, at 10 a.m. The workshop is open to everyone including competition participants. For information on available accommodations please contact Accessibility Coordinator, Amber Kirkendall at (402) 223-3514 or amber_kirkendall@nps.gov.

The 2024 Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival will be led by three Lincoln, NE musicians. Chris Sayre has been a working musician for over 50 years. Sayre’s passion for both traditional and contemporary folk music is reflected in his numerous performances at coffeehouses, fairs, festivals. libraries, retirement homes, schools, and other venues across Nebraska and the region. Terry Keefe has been performing music professionally for over 45 years in a variety of genres and in numerous ensembles. Keefe has won awards in musical competitions, including the Midwest Fiddle Championship. Steve Hanson has been a professional musician in the Lincoln, NE area for over 50 years. In that time, Hanson has won numerous contests and awards, including the Lincoln Mayor’s Arts Award, the Walnut Valley Festival, and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival contests. He has taught countless students to play and enjoy music.

We hope to see you on Saturday, May 25, 2024, for a wonderful day of fiddling at the Tallgrass Prairie Fiddle Festival-Competition outside the Education Center at Homestead National Historical Park. Then join us on Sunday, May 26 to see social media sensation Hillary Klug. Klug will participate with guests in a jam session and buck dancing workshop from noon-1 p.m., so bring your instruments and dancing shoes. She will perform a concert with local musicians from 1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Remember, Homestead National Historical Park has an exciting schedule of events planned for 2024. Keep up with the latest information by following us on Twitter (HomesteadNHP) and Facebook (Homestead National Historical Park).