The Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers’ Association held its 59th annual Oregon State Open Fiddle Contest at the Mennonite Church on March 15, drawing in 63 contestants between the ages of 6 and 84 from all over the state, and even
from as far away as Colorado and other states.
Lebanites Isaac Helland, Dayne Ropp, Gretchen Ropp, Saxon Ropp, Jerry Parks and Robert Waterhouse participated in the competition, and Jeri Caudle served as a judge in the entertainment division. Waterhouse took fourth place in the senior division, while Saxon Ropp landed fifth in the young adult division.
First place winners for the competition were: Small Fry Division – Bradley Guptil of Keizer, Junior-Junior Division – Leo Kuhl of Eugene, Junior Division – Megan Nave of Bend,
Young Adult Division – Libby Rogers of Idaho, Adult Division – Aaron Fewkes of Idaho, Senior Division – Jeanine Orme of Beaverton, Senior-Senior Division – Eileen Walter of Portland, and Champion – Tashina Lindley of Yoncalla.
The OOTFA have been holding their statewide contest in Lebanon since 2022. Chair Cat McClintock said she’s interested in integrating the organization’s event more into the community.
“We’ve been holding the contest in Lebanon for four years now, and it felt right to stop thinking about it as just a venue and more of a home,” she said. “While it is our state contest, I wanted to build something local that the town could feel proud of. We’re hoping to be part of the community, not just a guest in it.”
