Kansas State Fiddling & Picking Championships

12/31/2024

There’s one more chance to make a (tax deductible) donation to your favorite folk-music nonprofit — Kansas FidPick! Can you help keep our event free and fun for the next 40 years? Donate $10 via the link below.

https://checkout.square.site/buy/MORYM4DZD33YH6HZXGNQ5LSD

12/03/2024

It’s , make a tax deductible donation to FidPick! This free, volunteer-run event has existed for nearly 50 years thanks to contributions from YOU.

Keep the music alive, keep FidPick free - please click the link below and donate $10. Thank you for your continued support!

https://checkout.square.site/buy/MORYM4DZD33YH6HZXGNQ5LSD

09/27/2024

Post-event Board meeting: ✅
Gathering of vintage and past years t-shirts: ✅

The orange shirt is from 1981 — Thanks to Mr. Pat Nichols for donating this piece of local history!

09/18/2024

Today’s the day! Congrats to your 2024 Kansas State String Band, The Lost Keys!

Look who will be playing Stage 3 at the Walnut Valley Festival at 7:00pm Wednesday! Come support your hometown band and like our page!

09/13/2024

Congrats once again to the 2024 Kansas State String Band, The Lost Keys!

As part of their award, they’ll be playing a Wednesday evening show at the Walnut Valley Festival, aka Winfield. If you’re headed there, make sure you catch this incredible family band!

08/29/2024

Our top 2 t-shirt shots from the weekend! Special thanks to pupper Ralph Stanley for the photobomb. 🐶

08/27/2024

Your 2024 FidPick champions are here!
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What a showing we had this year, across the board — thank you to everyone who competed.

Winners 2024 Winners Miscellaneous Acoustic Instruments First Place: Fred Uzzell, Kansas City, KS (Dobro)Second Place: David Ludwick, Lawrence, KS (Banjolin)Third Place: Steve Graue, Louisburg, KS (Ukelin) Youth Fiddle n/a (zero entries) Open Fiddle First Place: Tricia Spencer, Lawrence, KSSecond Pl...

08/26/2024

THAT’S A WRAP! Thanks to *all of you,* for attending, competing, volunteering, jamming, photographing, vending, sponsoring, and just making one heck of a success. Even in the Kansas summer heat!
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The Board is still hard at work on event wrap-up, and will have contest results posted tomorrow.
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Keep on fiddlin’ and pickin’!

08/25/2024

🗺️ Lay of the land. We’re off!

08/24/2024

Sunday is the day! Be sure to drop by our Hospitality & Merch tent by the gazebo to grab your official program and buy your 2024 t-shirt.
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It’s gonna be a hot one, so bring your hats and water bottles, and catch some shade. ☀️ Y’all come!

08/22/2024

Participation is preservation.

For 43 years now, it’s been FidPick’s (originally the Douglas County Fiddling & Picking Contest) mission to be dedicated to the promotion and preservation of traditional acoustic music — for all people, and without the barrier of cost.

Join us once again, this Sunday, and keep the tradition alive!

08/21/2024

Final walkthrough with the City, we’re ready to roll!
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A FEW NOTES:
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Pick up your official program at our Hospitality & Merch table, which is located just east of the gazebo. This has all the info you need to have a great day, including park map, schedule of events, vendors and more.
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There are water bottle-friendly drinking fountains and jugs near the gazebo, so please help us reduce waste by bringing your own bottles. Aren’t those Stanley cups everyone loves named for Ralph Stanley anyways?
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Stages will be located as adjacent as possible to tree shade, which means there isn’t lush grass underneath. Don’t forget lawn chairs and blankets to relax on!
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Bring cash! Though our Merch Table is equipped to take cards, cash means fewer fees, for us and our vendors. We are also happy to accept donations!
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Speaking of vendors: we have a *spectaular* lineup of food, beverage (yes, Free State will be pouring!) and arts/market vendors. Come hungry, and support your local makers!
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Need help or see something needing attention? Our Staff and Volunteers can be found at the gazebo, at the Hospitality & Merch Table to its east, and wandering the park grounds — just look for STAFF on the back of their shirts!
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Most importantly: HAVE FUN! And bring your instruments to join in the jams.

08/20/2024

Five days til FidPick! 🤩 Our event seems to get better and better every year, in large part thanks to the support of our city, our visitors bureau, our state, the NEA and the best dang violin shop around!
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Thank you Beautiful Music Violin Shop for your continuous support.
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Thank you City of Lawrence, Kansas and Explore Lawrence.
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Thank you Kansas Department of Commerce. FidPick 43 is supported in part by the Kansas Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
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We think the best way to say THANK YOU to our sponsors and supporters is to come out on Sunday and have a high old time!

08/17/2024

We’re here at for Live on Mass with Split Lip Rayfield! Don’t be bashful now 🍻

08/12/2024

The State Band Competition is back for its second year, and it is LOADED with talent! The first round will begin at approx. 1:20pm, with only 2 acts moving on to the finals at 4:45pm.
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Only *1* band will be crowned the 2024 Kansas State String Band, and be awarded a $500 cash prize!
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08/11/2024

What a great community we have in our local businesses — thanks to Mass Street Music, Kansas Public Radio and Lawrence Arborists for their sponsorships! Without their generosity, FidPick wouldn’t be a *free* event, so please support these businesses, as they have supported FidPick’s mission.
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See you August 25 for contests, concerts, jamming, food and fun for the whole family! Made possible by our generous event sponsors.

08/09/2024

This promises to be a special evening! You’ll hear some great fiddle tunes, obscure hillbilly songs, and perhaps a few surprises from these veterans of Old Time music — set in the intimate listening room at Americana Music.
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Email Howard at [email protected] to reserve your spot!

08/07/2024

What an August we’ve got happening in Lawrence! We’re in good company 😊

Summer’s just about over, but there's still time to pack in some fun live music events. Check out our best bets for live music this August in Lawrence, Kansas.