Larry VanHouse
This Little Light of Mine
The Appalachian region has always felt like a living song, its melodies winding through the mountains, carried on front porches and festival stages. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of attending some of the most iconic fiddlers conventions in the Southeast. Each one has left its own unforgettable mark on me. From the legendary Galax Old Fiddlers Convention in Virginia, to the relaxed charm of Mount Airy’s gathering in Surry County, and finally to the close-knit, homegrown spirit of the Alleghany County Fiddlers Convention in Sparta, each celebration tells its own story in tunes and traditions.
My first real encounter with the power of these gatherings was in Galax, Virginia, at a Historic Gathering of Legends and Learners. The Old Fiddlers Convention, going strong since 1935, fills Felts Park each August with a kind of magic that’s hard to describe. I remember the hum of anticipation in the air, as I wandered past rows of campers and tents, where jam sessions seemed to spring up like wildflowers. It didn’t matter if the musicians were world-class fiddlers or kids just getting started– everyone belonged, and everyone was there for the love of the music.
The main stage competitions are thrilling, but some of the best moments happen off-stage: a grandfather showing his grandson a new banjo lick, or a group of strangers forming a band for the night. One of the highlights for me was the Youth Competition. Watching those young players pour heart and soul into every note reminded me that this tradition has a long, strong future. Galax may be the biggest convention in the region, but it never feels impersonal. Instead, it feels like a giant family reunion built around “strang” music.
In late spring, you may find yourself getting swept up into the front-porch vibes and flatfoot rhythms of Surry County’s own Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention. Held the first full weekend in June at Veterans Memorial Park, this convention may be smaller in size, but it’s rich in authenticity. There’s a certain ease to the atmosphere in Mount Airy that you feel from the moment you arrive. Everywhere you turn there seem to be small jam circles, people playing together like they’d known each other for years, even if they’d just met that morning.
I love how the event blends the formal and the informal: stage competitions for fiddle, banjo, and old-time bands, but also room for spontaneous collaboration and learning. The flatfoot dancing was another highlight. Watching dancers sync their steps with banjo rhythms, surrounded by friends and family cheering them on, felt like being part of something ancient and alive all at once. Mount Airy reminded me that this music was never meant for concert halls. It was meant for front porches, community halls, and dusty dance floors.
But as much as I’ve enjoyed those experiences, it’s the heartfelt and hometown spirit of Alleghany County’s Fiddlers Convention that feels most like home. Right here in Sparta, North Carolina, our own convention may not have the scale of Galax or the history of Mount Airy, but it has something just as powerful: heart. Scheduled for July 17th through the 19th, this year’s event promises another weekend of fellowship, talent, and true Appalachian hospitality.
The Thursday night Songwriter Circle Jam is a personal favorite. It’s laid-back, authentic, and often full of surprises. You never know who might show up with a new tune or an old story to share. The competitions that follow on Friday and Saturday are vibrant with local talent, featuring junior and senior divisions that celebrate both newcomers and seasoned pickers. Saturday evening’s dance contest and band playoff rounds everything out with a joyful, foot-stomping finale.
What makes the Alleghany Convention so special is its deep roots in the community. Organized by the Sparta-Alleghany Volunteer Fire Department and supported by friends, neighbors, and local businesses, it’s a labor of love through and through. I’ve seen young players find their confidence on that stage. I’ve watched old friends reunite over a shared tune. It’s personal, it’s proud, and it’s ours.
As I’ve traveled from Galax to Mount Airy to Sparta, I’ve come to realize that preserving Appalachian musical heritage isn’t about nostalgia – it’s about living tradition. These fiddlers conventions are where that tradition breathes, grows, and passes from one generation to the next. They are where the rhythm of a flatfoot dance echoes into memory, where the bowing of a fiddle connects the past to the present.
If you’re lucky enough to sit under the stars with a mandolin in your lap or a hot dog in your hand, listening as the strains of “Angeline the Baker” drift through the air – you’ll understand exactly what I mean.
