Mission
THE ATHENS OLD FIDDLERS FOUNDATIONS MISSION IS TO PRESERVE AND CELEBRATE THE RICH HERITAGE OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND FIDDLE MUSIC THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CULTURAL INITIATIVES. WE AIM TO FOSTER A DEEPER APPRECIATION FOR THIS TIMELESS ART FORM, SUPPORT LOCAL TALENT, AND ENSURE ITS LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS BY ORGANIZING LIVE PERFORMANCES AND MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS. ESTABLISHED AS A TEXAS NONPROFIT CORPORATION ON JUNE 13, 2024, THE FOUNDATION IS A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION BASED IN ATHENS, TEXAS. IT PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE IN ORGANIZING THE ANNUAL ATHENS OLD FIDDLERS CONTEST & REUNION, THE LONGEST-RUNNING FIDDLE CONTEST IN TEXAS, DATING BACK TO 1932. THIS FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT FEATURES FIDDLING COMPETITIONS, STREET DANCES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, CLASSIC CAR SHOWS, AND WORKSHOPS, DRAWING MUSICIANS AND FANS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THROUGH ITS EFFORTS, THE FOUNDATION ENSURES THAT THE TRADITION OF FIDDLING CONTINUES TO THRIVE IN EAST TEXAS AND BEYOND.