5/26/18 87th Annual Athens Old Fiddlers' Contest & Reunion by Jessica Payne
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People gather on the steps of The City of Athens Courthouse on Saturday, May 26 to enjoy the 87th Annual Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion. The Fiddlers Contest has been held on the Courthouse Square since 1934 to care for the ever-expanding crowds of music lovers. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
(From left to right) Norman Ponder of Baytown, Roger McDonald of Frankston and Joe Graham of Athens play a tune at the 87th Annual Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion. The Fiddlers Contest is held in Athens and is the oldest and longest running contest in the state of Texas. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
Mike Grinnell (left) and Nick Gillentine (right) compete at the 87th Annual Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion on Saturday, May 26. The contest is broken down into 6 divisions and also includes a carnival, food vendors and street dance. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
A family relaxes under a tree while attending the 87th Annual Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion in Athens. People came from all over the state to compete in the contest, which included 6 divisions, on Saturday, May 26. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
87 year old “Wild” Bill May competes in the Senior Division of the 87th Annual Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion in Athens. The contest included 6 divisions with over $5000 being awarded in cash prizes and was held on Saturday, May 26. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
A crowd packs the lawn of the City of Athens Courthouse on Saturday, May 26 to attend the 87th Annual Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion. The Fiddlers Contest has been held at the Courthouse Square since 1934. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
Sawyer Sullens (right) poses for a picture with his mom Dinah Sullens (left) of Overton before taking the stage to compete in the Small Fry 9 & Under Division at the 87th Annual Old Fiddles Contest & Reunion in Athens on Saturday, May 26. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
Kaitlyn Decker takes the stage to compete in the Small Fry 9 & Under Division at the 87th Annual Athens Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion on Saturday, May 26. The Small Fry Division played 2 tunes with 1st place winning $60. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
Food vendors fill the streets of downtown Athens at the 87th Annual Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion. The Fiddlers Contest was held on Saturday, May 26 and is the oldest and longest running contest in the state of Texas. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
Youngest contestant McKenna Petersen, 5, competes in the Small Fry 9 & Under Division at the 87th Annual Athens Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion on Saturday, May 26. The Fiddles Contest included 6 divisions with over $5000 being awarded in cash prizes. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
Sawyer Sullens, 9, of Overton competes in his first fiddlers contest at the 87th Annual Athens Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion on Saturday, May 26. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
Contest goers fill up on tacos from Tilo’s Street Tacos at the 87th Annual Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion. The Fiddlers Contest was held in Athens on Saturday, May 26. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
People of all ages gathered with lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the 87th Annual Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion in Athens on Saturday, May 26. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)
Musicians rehearse in the shade before taking the stage at the 87th Annual Athens Old Fiddlers Contest & Reunion. The Fiddlers Contest was held at the Athens Courthouse square on Saturday, May 26. (Jessica T. Payne/Tyler Paper)