Fiddlers’ Fair – a tradition in New York State

   If your toes are tapping, your head is bouncing and you feel like standing up and dancing, chances are you are listening to a fiddler! There were hundreds to listen to on Sunday, August 16 at the Genesee Country Village’s annual Old-Time Fiddler’s Fair. The event drew fiddlers of all ages from all across the region and listeners from all walks of life to the village to enjoy the tunes that transcend age, musical genres and various cultures.

   The classically trained musician calls it a violin; the self-taught rural musician calls it his fiddle. Either way, it is the one in the same stringed instrument that has entertained people for more than two centuries.

   In the early 1800s, pioneer families and communities counted on the local fiddler to provide the entertainment after a long hard day’s work. The music appealed to everyone, the youngsters and the old timers. Folk dancing went hand in hand with fiddle music as form of fun and entertainment. The Old Time Fiddlers’ Fair recreates that atmosphere with a variety of performers from the very young to the seasoned senior citizen.

   Phil Banaszak, one of Western New York’s best known fiddle artists, and his wife, Gretchen, performed bluegrass, Celtic and folk traditional fiddle music at this year’s fair. They’ve been regulars at GCV for many years and in recognition of their contribution to the event and fiddle music, the village presented Banaszak with a certificate containing a lifelong invitation to perform at the annual fair.

   The couple are classically trained violinists but enjoy the traditional folk music played on the fiddle.

   "There are so many styles of fiddling, English, Scottish, contemporary, bluegrass and many others. No matter what cultural tradition you come from, you can find it in fiddle music," Gretchen explained.

   Most of the visitors to the fiddlers’ fair came to listen. They pulled up their chairs, sat back and enjoyed the music, only getting up when they moved from tent to tent to hear the wide variety of fiddling being performed at the village. Musicians performed other stringed folk instruments to compliment the fiddle including the stringed dulcimer, the banjo and the recorder.

   As one visitor remarked, "It’s a day to just listen."

The Genesee Country Village presented fiddler Phil Banaszak with
a lifetime invitation to the annual Olde Time Fiddlers’ Fair.

Sylvia McHale performed Scottish songs on the fiddle.