Each year, America’s Coolest Small Town hosts the Fiddler’s Convention – easily the town’s (and ShoreBread’s) most popular fall event. So what makes it so special? Its 3 full days of pure, bluegrass music. Packed with musical talent of all ages, the Town of Berlin transforms into a bluegrass haven. Our favorite little town will undergo a folk music frenzy, complete with some of the best food around, orange crushes, and a musically oriented, fun fall day. With the festival obviously come the performers, including this year’s headliners, Frank Solivan & the Dirty Kitchen. “Last year they several International Bluegrass Music Association awards, it’s basically the highest accolade you can recieve in the bluegrass industry,” beamed Nate Clendenen, Music Director for this year’s Fiddler’s Convention. “It’s a pretty big deal and they’re even up for four more.”
The beloved town event is returning to Main Street with a host of fun activities, food vendors and great performances. The event is three days long, going from September 19th to the 21st. This year marks the 22nd year for the festival, which seems to grow and evolve by leaps and bounds each year. “This one is so different from any other Fiddler’s Convention a town may have because usually the performers aren’t headliners,” said Clendenen. “We’re so distinct because it’s 3 days of seriously talented musicians.”
Even though it’s all about the music, some of the other key aspects of the festival include the beer garden and food vendors. Some of them include Flannery’s, Berlin Lions Club, as well as most of the town’s restaurants, which will also be providing quick to-go food. Think kettle corn made fresh on Main Street and cotton candy. For even more fun, there will be a beer garden set up Friday night on the streets, allowing you to grab cold brews in between performances. Sunday brings the Festival to a close with a relaxing and enjoyable Bluegrass Gospel Jam on the beautiful lawn of the Taylor House Museum.
“This is definitely something that appeals to all ages… grandparents, babies, teenagers, everyone,” said Clendenen. “It’s because they want to be there, and I think that says something.”
Don’t forget to hit up the Plein Air Art Festival too, going on the same time as Fiddler’s Convention. Its two great events going on within walking distance from each other. You can’t beat that!
We have come to the conclusion that the weekend of September 19th will be one for the books, this is just one of the many reasons we LOVE fall on the Eastern Shore. See you in Berlin!
2014 Music Lineup
EVENT IS FREE
- Friday, September 19th 7PM-10PM
- 7PM to 8PM: The Wood Pickers (last year’s winner)
- 8PM to 10PM: Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen
- Saturday, September 20th 10AM-5PM
- 10AM: Registration
- 10AM to 11AM: The Wood Pickers
- 11AM to 12PM: Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen
- 12PM to 5PM: Music Competition
- 5PM: Awards
- Sunday, September 21st
- 12PM to 3PM: Bluegrass Gospel Jam at Taylor House Museum
