2001 Fall Fiddle Festival Recap

Great weather, great turnout, renewed spirit, all came together when approximately 7,000 people packed into the Lyons Community Park for the 19th Annual Fall Fiddle Festival, Sunday, September 16, 2001.

The very patriotic crowd enjoyed a sunny 72-degree afternoon after a tribute was offered for those who perished and those effected by the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. and Somerset County PA.

The tribute consisted of Linsey Youse of Kutztown singing “God Bless the USA,” James Kaiser led the audience in a country style rendition of the “National Anthem.” Mayor Randy L. Schlegel presented a “Proclamation” to Fiddle Fest coordinator Arlan Schwoyer, dedicating the 19th Fall Festival to the honor of the victims of the “Attack on America” and all together the audience sang “America the Beautiful.”

Entertainment included Fred Hines Gospel, Sunshine Pauline, Dave “Mitch” and Hannah Miller, the Druckenmillers, Bluegrass Countrymen, Tandem, Harmonica Mike, Joe Meck and Butch, Al and Jean Shade, Jack Murray and Double Y, Dorothy Goda and the Ken Gehret Trio. In “Fiddlemania” 23 fiddlers performed a trio of “Old Tyme Fiddle” tunes. The festival once again ended with a “Bluegrass Style” worship service.

The winners in the 0 to 18 year old category:

1. Doug Meek - Jacobus, PA

2. Kellen Wenrich - Mohnton, PA

3. Elizabeth Clouser - Lyons, PA

Age 19 - 65

1. Paul Riffon - Hazleton, PA

2. Ron McVay - Strasburg, PA

3. Brad Richards - Reading, PA

Age 66 and over

1. Norm Readinger - Blandon, PA

2. Elvin Brobst - Hamburg, PA

The youngest contestant was Dimitri Roscioli age 9.

The oldest was Elvin Brobst age 83.

The farthest traveled contestant Bill Meek of Jacobus, PA.

The “Peoples’ Choice” winner is Kellen Wenrich.

“ 2001 Grand Champion ”  -  Doug Meek - Jacobus, PA