Lebanon competition draws top fiddlers from throughout NW

Isaac Helland, center, performs during the Oregon State Open Fiddle Contest Saturday at the Lebanon Mennonite Church. Accompanying him are guitarists, from left, Doug Fleenor, Hyatt Hopkins and Helland’s brother Jonathan. Photos by Scott Swanson

It was a foot-stompin’, tune-swappin’ day Saturday, March 14, as top musicians from around the Northwest gathered to compete in the 60th annual Oregon State Open Fiddle Contest, held at the Lebanon Mennonite Church.

Dozens of fiddlers, from small fry – there’s a division with that name – to aged veterans got up on the stage to show off their best stuff on the strings, as lively tunes filled the church sanctuary for an appreciative…