On the first weekend of July, for the past 40 or so years, the population of Smithville, Tennessee swells from 4000 to 80,000 over the two days. It figures.

This is the annual "Fiddlers' Jamboree and Craft Festival." As the town's web page says, it is "pure Appalachian crafts, music, and dance, and contestants come from all over the United States come to participate in the fun." The contests run the gamut from folksinging to gospel singing, clogging and buckdancing to oldtime fiddle band, and from flat top guitar to hammered dulcimer.

The crowd was nowhere near 80,000 this year, due to the 105 degree temperature reading. It was hot! But those in attendance (including the photographer...who lasted only about 2/3rds of the firs day) had a ball.

Enjoy