SAFFORD — A new venue and a new grand master.
Moving from the Graham County Fairgrounds to the Mt. Graham Golf Club for 2022, the Eastern Arizona Old Time Fiddlers Association crowned Andrew Wilson as the new grand master Sunday.
He also captured first in the adult division, his wife Deanna was first in accompanist 1, and they teamed to win first in the band competition.
“Twenty-five years ago this weekend, I proposed to Deanna at this fiddle contest. It was at the fairgrounds at the time. We stood next to the fence and it was very romantic,” Andrew said.
Organizer Beth Cox said “it felt good” bringing the 43rd Eastern Arizona Old Time Fiddle Contest back to the Gila Valley after a hiatus due to the pandemic.
“I look for next year to be better . . . I do,” Cox said.
Other winners included:
Vocalist — Elie Barry
Twin Fiddle — Elie and Jess Barry
Little Britches — Maggi Cucitro
Band Scramble — Band 1 (Eliza Wilson, Faith Wilson, Jim Carlile, Michael Wilson, Emily Wilson, Clay Barry)
Accompanist 2 — Rick Commo
Senior — Henry T. Fiddler
Half Pint — Georgia Rodman
Young Adult — Taylor Tudor
Junior — Danny Carter
Trick and Fancy — Henry T. Fiddler
In addition to the competition, there was a Dutch over dinner for sponsors Friday, a dance Saturday night and Bluegrass Gospel service Sunday morning.
Sponsors included the Graham County Chamber of Commerce, Bayacan, LifeNet, Maverick Motorsports, Haralson Tire, Double R Communications, NatureSweet Tomatoes, Valley Telecom, the City of Safford, the Town of Thatcher, the Town of Pima and Graham County.
