Pickin’ & Fiddlin’ Returnin’

ROXBURY — Thirty seven years ago, 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 — the 2011 Roxbury Pickin’ & Fiddlin’ Contest — will return to Hurlburt Park, 18 Apple Lane in Roxbury, on Saturday, July 9. Contestant registration opens at 1:30 and the music will begin at 2 pm. Raindate is Sunday, July 10, with everything to start at noon.

Spectator admission is $10, with children ages 10 and under free. Parking is free.

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 of more than $3,200 will be awarded.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets, picnic and your own beverages. Food, refreshments and crafts will also be available for purchase. Dog owners are asked to please leave their dogs at home.

For more information contact Sean Murphy at 203-648-3504 or MadMurph97@att.net, or visit RoxburyCT.com or PickinNFiddlin.com.