Pickin’ & Fiddlin’ Returnin’ July 14

ROXBURY — Thirty eight years ago, the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department in conjunction with its annual Old Roxbury Days sponsored a contest to display the skills of musicians playing country and bluegrass music. Over the years this contest has grown and is now the biggest of its kind in the Northwest Hills of Connecticut.

This year’s event will be held at Hurlburt Park, 18 Apple Lane in Roxbury, on Saturday, July 14, beginning at 2 pm. Performances are expected to run until approximately 9 pm.

Contestant registration starts at 1:30 pm. The rain date for the event is Sunday, July 15, at noon.

Admission is $10, with children under 10 admitted for free. Free parking is also available.

Musical categories are Old Time Fiddle, Old Time Banjo, Mandolin, Trick and Fancy Fiddle, Finger Picking and Flat Picking Guitar, Bluegrass Banjo, and Band Playoff. Bands will be interspersed between categories.  Prizes total more than $3,200, with prize money donated by Union Savings Bank.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, picnic and beverages. Food, refreshments and crafts will also be available for purchase.

Organizers are asking that attendees do not bring dogs to the park on the day of the event.

For more information contact Mike Josefson at 860-354-5921 or mikejosefson@gmail.com, or visit www.roxburyct.com or www.pickinnfiddlin.com.