H. Draper of Priceville jams with a few of his friends Tuesday at a recreational-vehicle campsite behind Athens State University.

Recreational vehicles and shiny, silver Airstream campers began arriving in Athens two weeks ago in advance of the annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. Spaces near Athens State University off Pryor Street and in Beasley Field, and lots near Athens Recreational Center, are beginning to fill. Many visitors are regulars, who return for the event each year and reunite with friends they’ve made here in Athens, said ASU spokesman Guy McClure Jr.

Many are old-time and bluegrass music enthusiasts who bring their own instruments and enjoy impromptu jam sessions in the days leading up to the event.

The first full weekend in October — this year beginning Friday — has traditionally been a busy one in Limestone County, as 15,000 to 20,000 people pull into town to attend the annual Tennessee Valley Fiddlers Convention and crafts show at ASU. Many local groups plan activities in conjunction with the convention, which opens at noon Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday and lasts until competitions are completed each night.

This year, local residents and guests can choose from a variety of events being held throughout the county, including yard sales, fundraising stews and Bean Day, the Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby and downtown sidewalk sales.

Here is a roundup of activities:

Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention

Friday and Saturday, Athens State University

Headlining the Fiddlers Convention this year is the Quebe Sisters Band, which will perform on the Founders Hall stage at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday. Also, Jim Buchanan will host a free fiddle workshop at 2 p.m. Saturday. Buchanan and Iron Horse will perform Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on the Founders Hall stage.

Approximately 150 booths featuring old-fashioned arts and crafts are part of the convention. Convention-goers will see everything from traditional artwork to coal-fired metal works. Food vendors will also be on hand to provide anything from a quick snack to a full meal.

Music and dance contests begin at 7 p.m. Friday, following the Quebe Sisters Band performance, and resume at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, with the gates opening at 8 a.m. Cost is $8 for Friday, $10 for Saturday and $15 for both days.

Children ages 12 and under are admitted free with a parent. 

Advance tickets are available from the Athens State Business Office located in Founders Hall at 300 N. Beaty St.

The convention is sponsored annually by the Athens State University Foundation and the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds from the convention fund student scholarships and other university projects.

More than 200 musicians participating in the musical competition in 18 categories, including several fiddle and guitar categories, harmonica, mandolin, bluegrass banjo, dulcimer, old-time singing, banjo, and buck dancing. The festival culminates on Saturday night with the naming of the “Fiddle Champion.” A total of $11,870 in prize money will be awarded. For more information, visit www.athens.edu/fiddlers or call 256-233-8215.    

Bean Day

Friday, First Baptist Church

The community’s annual Bean Day is scheduled from 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center on Hobbs Street. While the event serves as a fundraiser for the Council on Aging, other local agencies in Athens and Limestone County will also benefit from monies raised. Tickets are $6 and include white beans, cornbread, slaw, onion and dessert. 

Tickets may be purchased in advance at Athens Senior Center or Pablo’s On Market or at the door. Delivery offered with a minimum of 10 orders to surrounding businesses and schools. For more information, contact Emily Haney at ephaney@pcl.net.

Limestone Sheriff’s Community Yard Sale

Friday and Saturday, Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena

This fundraiser will benefit Limestone County Council on Aging. Booths open at 5 a.m. each day at the arena on Alabama 99. For more information, contact 256-232-0111 or visit www.limestonesheriff.com.  

Sheriff’s Stew Cook Off

Saturday, Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena

Attendees can sample stews made by a variety of cooks beginning at 11 a.m. Cooks entry fee is $50. Forms are available at Limestone Sheriff’s Office 101 W. Elm St. in Athens or by visiting www.limestonesheriff.com. The $10 general admission will include a stew meal and drink and allow for sampling each stew. There will be $250 and a trophy for first place in each of three categories: Chicken, goat, and potluck. Quarts of stew will be available after judging for $5 each (includes container). Fifty percent of proceeds go directly to the Council on Aging.

Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby

Saturday, Big Spring Memorial Park

The 11th Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby rubber duck race to support the work of Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful will be at 4 p.m. in the duck pond at Athens’ Big Spring Memorial Park. Prizes for this year’s race include the McClary Ford $1,000 Grand Prize, four one-day Park Hopper passes to Disney World ($500 value), a round of golf for four, plus two carts at Canebrake ($360 value), $250 Osborne Jewelers gift card, two nights and dinner for two at Sam’s Town in Tunica ($175 value), and more than 20 additional prizes. You do not have to be present to win. A $5 donation to KALB will adopt a specially-designed and numbered rubber duck for the derby. Contact: 256-233-8728 or www.keepathenslimestonebeautiful.com.

Delmore Brothers display

Friday and Saturday, Founders Hall

A collection of photos, sheet music, a Grammy award and memorabilia that showcases the career of The Delmore Brothers of Elkmont will be on display during the 45th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. The collection was donated to Athens State University in 2008 by Debby Delmore. The collection can be viewed from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Room F-1 of Founders Hall. The Delmore Brothers was a country music duo made up of Alton (Dec. 25, 1908-June 8, 1964) and Rabon (Dec. 3, 1916 – Dec. 4, 1952) Delmore of Elkmont. The brothers were country music pioneers and rose to fame in the 1930s. They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Oct. 4, 2001; into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971; and into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1989. The Rockabilly Hall of Fame also recognized them.

Sidewalk Sale

Downtown Athens   

Several downtown businesses have planned a sidewalk sale this week in conjunction with the Fiddlers Convention, including Bennett’s, Trinity’s, Pablo’s on Market, Gray & Holt Dry Goods, U.G. White Hardware, Crawford’s Gifts, The Grasshopper and Pimentos.