Fiddle and Bango Contest Serenades Columbia
Will Antes, of San Jose took first place in the fiddle competition.
With umbrellas in hand, people braved the weather on Saturday, October 4th to attend the 26th annual Fiddle and Bango Contest in Columbia. “Our crowd was smaller than usual this year because of the rain, but we had an enthusiastic group who had a good time anyway,” said Leslie Davis, Event Coordinator for the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. “It was the first time ever it rained during the event in the Fiddle & Bango’s 26-year history.” MC for the event was Steve LaVine and the judges were Jeff Cooper, Brian DeMassey and Ryan Richelson. Tina Louise Barr of Modesto won the 1/4 oz. gold nugget as the Grand Prize Winner. She won first place in the miscellaneous category playing her auto harp, and then, after the run-off round with first place winners from each category, she came out on top overall. The Pat Clark Award was given to Jessie Valentine of Sonora. Jessie played the ukulele and sang and was awarded for her “guts” in performing in front of the crowd. Here is a list of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each category (1st and 2nd place won cash awards, and 3rd place won gift certificates) – Fiddle: Will Antes, San Jose; John Gwinner, Modesto; Cecil Rendon, Stockton; Banjo: Dick Todd, Groveland; Michael Lewinski, Oakland; Lisa Shaw, Escalon; Guitar: Stephen Strong, Cedar Ridge, Shane Strong, Cedar Ridge; Lisa Shaw, Escalon; Mandolin: John Gwinner, Modesto; Terry Wildman, Wheatland; Cecil Rendon, Stockton; Vocal: Dick Todd, Groveland; Brad Shaffer, Hughson; Sean Brennan, Columbia; Miscellaneous: Tina Louise Barr, Modesto; John Watson, Columbia; Frank Ficek, Sonora. Photos by Leslie Davis.
A little rain never stopped anyone. Huddling under umbrellas, the crowd watch musicians perform a the Fiddle and Bango Contest in Columbia.
