Annual Convention

FSFA’s ANNUAL CONVENTION,  OCTOBER 11-13, 2019 at
SERTOMA YOUTH RANCH, BROOKSVILLE, FL

FSFA’s Annual Convention is held in October each year, and features guest artists, workshops, concerts, camping, jamming, dancing and a stringband contest.  This event is for all old-time musicians, not just fiddlers, so invite your friends!  Bring your band!

The 2019 Special Guest Artist is: Dave Bing!  Dave is one of West Virginia’s most respected old-time fiddlers. His style encompasses the many fiddlers he learned from and spent time with growing up. He has taught old-time fiddle on all levels in the U.S., the British Isles, Spain and Australia. He is known for his patience and his ability to cover all aspects of fiddling while teaching his workshops. He performed with his brothers for over 20 years and organized and performed with Gandydancer and High Ridge Ramblers and performs with various other artists. He credits his main old-time influences to the Hammons Family, George Steele, Jimmy Wheeler and Glen Smith, but feels every fiddler he’s spent time with have had some influence on his playing.

 

 

ADVANCE REGISTRATION FORM
(no longer available – please register on-site)

CONVENTION SCHEDULE

DOWNLOAD THE CONVENTION POSTER

REGISTRATION FEES

ENTIRE WEEKEND (Includes workshops, dances, concerts, jams & band contest. Adults: Members $55; non members $70; Children $15; Family rate: $100 for the entire weekend for members, $115 for non-member families.  Checks and cash only for FSFA registration.  We do not accept credit cards.   (Does not include camping – see below.)  People coming for just the day (not overnight) will pay a $5 day fee which FSFA gives to Sertoma.

 

SATURDAY ONLY (all day)
Adults: members $30, non members – $45, children under 16 – $5 for Saturday only.

 

MEALS: Friday night features a potluck meal at the pavilion (main stage.)  Bring something to share, meet and greet. FSFA will provide the main meat, paper products & utensils.  Saturday night dinner is “on your own”.

 

All registration fees can be paid in advance using the above registration form, or on-site at the FSFA registration table near the main stage pavilion.

 

CAMPING FEES:

No reservations are needed for camping at the Convention.  Campsites are first-come, first-served.  FSFA will collect all camping fees on-site at our registration table.  Please make sure you take the first road to the right after passing the guard shack at the entrance.  Sertoma Youth Ranch would like for all of us to camp in the same area so as not to disturb other campers with late night music.    Water and electric sites are $25 per night, and dry camping is $15 (no hookups.)  Please note that FSFA only accepts cash and checks (no credit cards.)  You may use the above Advance Registration Form to pay festival and camping fees, or just pay on-site.

Alternative Lodging (click here for listing of nearby hotels)

 

A note about the String Band Contest on Saturday:  this is a fun event, and pick-up bands are encouraged.  Hook up with some other pickers, form a band, work up a couple of tunes and join the fun!  A registration table will be set up  Saturday morning for contest entry.  The entry fee (the best part) is a home-made pie!  Please have two tunes ready (we may only have time for one, depending on the number of entries, but have two ready.)  Last place bands get first pick of the pies, and so on.  Top three winning bands will receive ribbons.  So bring your pies, bring your tunes, and let’s have some fun!  After the contest, everyone please join us at our annual Tea Party, to be held at the main Pavilion.  Bring an appetizer to share if you like, and bring your favorite “tea”.  Ties for the men (be creative) and hats for the ladies, please.  This is just social time, and there will be a group photo.  All are invited, so please come!

2019 Annual Convention