This string fest brings in the best pickers from around the globe

If you’re looking for some of the best fiddlers and banjo pickers around, look no further than Fayette County at the end of summer.

Thousands of musicians gather atop a mountain for 5 days in Clifftop, West Virginia, to create some of the finest music in the country— or world! The Appalachian String Band Music Festival has had attendees from 48 states and more than 20 countries.

Musicians, bands and dancers celebrate old-time music and the preservation of the tradition by competing in fiddle, banjo, traditional band, neo-traditional band and flat-foot dance contests at Camp Washington-Carver.

The thing that keeps folks coming back, though? The laid-back family vibe. Join more than 3,000 kindred fellows in the festive campsites for impromptu dancing and singing, with everything from cajun and Celtic music to bluegrass and reggae community jams.

Not convinced yet? Well, the festival has a little bit of something for everyone:

  • Basket making
  • Yoga
  • Square dancing
  • Art projects
  • Movies
  • Family activities
  • Bingo
  • Storytelling

The weeklong gathering of string band musicians from all over the world began in 1990, and has continued to honor not only old-time music, but also the people who embrace and promote the art.

The best part, though, may be the final day. The community of old-time music lovers, who return year after year, gather for an informal hymn-sing before closing out another successful season of the festival.

What’s your favorite part about the Appalachian String Band Music Festival?

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This post was last updated on July 27, 2020