Celebrating the tradition of the McFarland Mall Bluegrass and Fiddle Championship and the Black Warrior Fiddle Fest, Fiddle Fest and the Southeastern Fiddle Championship will return to Tuscaloosa on February 27, 2027. In the tradition of the McFarland Mall Bluegrass and Fiddle Championship and the Black Warrior Fiddle Fest, Fiddle Fest and the Southeastern Fiddle Championship will return to Tuscal
oosa on April 30. Following an initial postponement due to COVID, this year’s event will be held on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The one-day festival will be a family friendly atmosphere celebrating the rich sounds of bluegrass and fiddle music and its talented musicians. This project has been made possible by generous donations from the Community Foundation of West Alabama, Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports Commission, and Hotel Indigo with support from Shelton State Community College. With additional sponsorship contributions, Fiddle Fest serves as an ongoing effort to maintain the traditions of bluegrass and “old-time fiddle music.”
“It has been our desire from the start to pass the love for this music on to the next generation,” stated Glenn Taylor, President/CEO of the Community Foundation of West Alabama. “We are excited to finally bring this event back to West Alabama, and if you attend the festival, you will see talent on display in young contestants and that the future of this art form is in good hands.”
The festival will include the 6th Annual Southeast Fiddle Championship. Over $7,500 in prize money will be awarded in a variety of categories with top prize money being awarded to the first-place bluegrass band, as well as the grand champion fiddle player. Arts, crafts, food vendors, a vintage car show, and family activities will be ongoing throughout the day.
“This event is a fantastic way to showcase Tuscaloosa’s vibrant and diverse music culture, as well as highlight its talented musicians,” said Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports president and CEO Don Staley. “We fully expect local residents, out of town visitors, and fans from around the region to enjoy incredible live music in a festival atmosphere.”
In addition to the competition, this year’s festival will feature a Saturday evening performance by Breaking Grass. Known for their high energy performances and original material, this band delivers heartfelt music with haunting harmonies to match. With influences ranging from rock, gospel, country, and soul, this group of award-winning musicians brings something for everyone. Shelton State’s President, Brad Newman, is pleased to bring this event to the Shelton State Martin Campus. “We look forward to being home to the festival for many years to come.”
Additional funding has been secured from other sponsors in the West Alabama community. These sponsors include 92.1 The Possum, American Fiberglass Products, Cartography Consulting, Hick’s Taxidermy, Hotel Indigo, Houston Hydro-Steam, Jud & Lisa Cameron Music, McAbee Construction, Mozaic Software, Inc., Ray Foundation, SmartBank, as well as memorial gifts in honor of Dick Miles and David Reynolds.
