Compete for the title of Texas State Champion at one of the highest-paying fiddle contests in America.
For over 55 years, the best fiddlers from Texas and across the country have traveled to Hallettsville to test their skills. This is where champions are made.
The Fiddle Committee strives to select competent and experienced former contest winners who are both fair and honest to judge the contest divisions. The competition is fair, the crowds are passionate, and the prize money is real.
For Texas Residents Only
The Texas State Championship Division is open to all Texas residents. Fiddlers compete for the state title and over $7,000 in prize money across 20 places.
| PLACE | PRIZE |
|---|---|
| 1st Place (State Champion) | $1,500 |
| 2nd Place | $1,250 |
| 3rd Place | $1,000 |
| 4th – 10th Place | $600 – $200 |
| 11th – 20th Place | $150 – $125 |
Out-of-State Fiddlers
Fiddlers from across the country compete for top prizes. If you're not a Texas resident, this is your stage.
| PLACE | PRIZE |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | $1,400 |
| 2nd Place | $1,150 |
| 3rd Place | $900 |
| 4th – 10th Place | $600–$225 |
| 11th – 20th Place | $200–$150 |
The next generation of Texas fiddlers starts here.
Developing the next generation of Texas championship fiddlers. Note: Beginning in 2026, the Junior division winner will be required to advance to an Open division in subsequent years.
Two fiddlers team up and play in harmony. Registration opens Saturday morning. All fiddlers may register for this division in addition to their primary division.
Celebrating a lifetime of fiddling tradition and mastery.
Recognition for the musicians who make the fiddle shine. Acoustic six-string guitars only. Guitarist may not have competed as a fiddler that weekend.
*Schedule subject to change
Fiddlers' Frolics has crowned champions for over 50 years. Legends like Johnny Gimble, Terry Morris, and Bob Wills grace our Hall of Fame, representing the pinnacle of Texas-style fiddling.
VIEW FULL HALL OF FAME ROSTERThe Fiddle Committee strives to select competent and experienced (former contest winners) fiddle players who are both fair and honest to judge the contest divisions. We give them wide latitude and discretion in determining their judging criteria and implementation of the following rules.
Pre-registration is encouraged to help plan and organize the weekend division schedule. Day-of registration is also available. Contestants draw numbers for the order of play approximately five minutes before the contest begins.
Fiddle players may only register for a single division. However, all fiddlers may also register for the Twin Fiddle division. Twin Fiddle registration opens Saturday morning. Any contestant not registered before the drawing begins will not be allowed to compete in that contest.
Acoustic instruments only (fiddles/violins for contest divisions, guitars for accompanist division). Fiddlers may have up to three guitars (six-string or tenor) plus one bass, for a maximum of four (4) accompanists.
Judges will determine the number and types of tunes to be played based on contestants and time available. No tunes can be repeated during contest rounds, including Round Robin rounds. For the Gone to Texas and Texas State Championship divisions, judges will call for a waltz in one of the rounds prior to the Round Robin. During Round Robin rounds, fiddlers and accompanists stay on stage for the duration. No tunes are automatically barred, but cross-tuning is not allowed.
There are no time limits per tune. Contestants are expected to play each tune completely. Medleys are not required.
All divisions are normally judged by five judges. After each tune, the high and low scores are dropped and the remaining three are summed. After the first round, judges use the computer scores to determine callbacks. Rounds continue until judges can rank and pay contestants by aggregate scores. Individual and aggregate scores are not posted.
The Committee strives to select competent guitar players who are both fair and honest to judge the guitar division. They are given wide latitude and discretion in determining judging criteria.
Pre-registration is encouraged, with day-of registration also accepted. Contestants draw for order of play approximately five minutes before the contest. Any contestant not registered before the drawing begins will not be allowed to compete.
The contest is open only to acoustic, six-string guitars. The guitarist may not have competed as a fiddler that weekend. Each guitar contestant may have only one fiddle player on stage to accompany.
Judges will determine the number and types of tunes to be played, based on the number of contestants and time available.
Bring your fiddle to Hallettsville and be part of the tradition. Pre-registration is encouraged, but day-of registration is also available. Register on-site and play.
