The weekend offers an abundance of family-fun opportunities in Leitchfield.
Friday
Beginning at 5:30 Friday afternoon on the Leitchfield Town Square, there will be a Rod Run & Cruise-In sponsored by the Black Rock Mafia Car Club. Bluegrass BBQ will have a food truck at the event.
A Loud Stereo Contest will be held in the American Legion Post 81 Veteran’s Memorial Park parking lot. Registration begins at 4:00 p.m. with the contest to follow.
At dusk, the city of Leitchfield is putting on a fireworks show. The fireworks will be set off near the water tower behind Grayson County Middle School.
The Leitchfield Aquatic Center is hosting a night swim from 8:00 p.m. until midnight. Admission is $5 and season passes are valid for the special event.
(The Leitchfield Town Square will be closed at noon on Friday so officials can prepare for Saturday’s Twin Lakes National Fiddler Championship. The square will reopen no later than 10:00 a.m. Sunday.)
Saturday
The Leitchfield Fire Department will host a Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station No. 2 on South Main Street. The breakfast, a fundraiser for the Crusade for Children, will run from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
The Jack Thomas House will offer free tours of the historic residence between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
There will be an Antique Car/Truck/Rat Rod/Tractor/Jeep & Bike Show on the square between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Twin Lakes National Fiddler Championship
On Saturday morning, the 11th annual Twin Lakes National Fiddler Championship kicks-off on the square. The event features over $14,500 in prize money in six age categories involving fiddling, dancing, flatpick, guitar, mandolin, and banjo.
“The total prizes over the six fiddle categories is one of the largest in the U.S.,” according to event organizers.
The competition begins at 9:00 a.m.
Division winners will have their pictures posted in the National Oldtime Fiddler’s Contest (NOTFA) Hall of Fame in Weiser, Idaho. Winners will be furnished with a special NOTFA Certificate of Award (suitable for framing) and given special recognition at events during the national contest each June.
In addition, Certified Winners are given a certified ribbon along with their contestant ribbon. Furthermore, they will be eligible to participate in the Certified Showcase Contest at National Contest.
The overall champion of all fiddle categories will be determined with a Championship Fiddle-Off.
Each year, the Twin Lakes Fiddle Festival honors musicians who have played a vital role in fiddling in Grayson County:
- The Senior Division trophy will be named the “Herman Alvey Trophy” in honor of one of
Grayson County’s finest fiddlers and a multiple winner of the Kentucky State Senior Championship. - A special award, the “Bud Meredith Showmanship Award,” is in honor of one of Grayson County’s most famous fiddlers who competed at the national level.
- The Dancing trophy will be named the “Leo Mudd Trophy,” in honor of one of the coordinators of the Kentucky State Fiddler Championship and a longtime supporter of music and youth in Grayson County.
- The Grand Champion trophy will be named the “Jodie Hall Trophy” in honor of the person who started the Kentucky State Fiddler Championship and was a musician, luthier, author, and vital supporter of music in Grayson County.
Besides great music, there will be food and other vendors along with children-centric activities set up around the square for the entire family to enjoy.
Following the end of the competition, a free concert will be performed by The Cleverlys, a bluegrass and comedy cover-band.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
