My favorite weekend of the entire year has come and gone. Starting with when my mom leaned up against a tree to listen to the music 3 days before I was born, I have gone to the Fiddlers’ Convention almost every year of my life. My absence on a couple of occasions was due to marching band competitions and college – you know, silly things that get in the way of a perfectly fun time!

Fiddlers’ to me is perhaps the most wonderful tradition of my hometown. Autumn nights bundled up in layers and poofy coats and listening to some of the finest pickin’ and grinnin’ made my love for bluegrass music grow from an early age. When the first weekend of October comes, you will know where to find me. The Fiddlers’ Convention is a place to find delicious food, crafts for sale that are handmade with special care, and, of course, amazing music. Every year, it seems like everyone in town is there plus visitors from all over the country. We get to see and catch up with so many people every year.

This year we went on Friday night and Saturday. I was so excited about the food. I had gone walking and eaten light that week so I wouldn’t feel guilty about everything I ate. Let’s just say I’ll be walking a lot this week, too. Cattleman’s steak sandwiches, caramel apple sundaes, tater twirls, and funnel cakes are worth it! On Saturday, it was actually pretty chilly outside. I was all ready to sit under a blanket and listen to the fiddle finals, but a cold rain drove us away early. It was still a wonderful time, and I’m already counting down until next year. Just 51 weekends to go!

What are your favorite hometown traditions?