Washington State Fiddle Championships

02/05/2026

After nine years, the Washington State Fiddle Championships is coming to a close.
This contest existed because of Denice Carter's tireless work, belief in the tradition, and commitment to giving fiddlers a place to be heard and celebrated. She poured herself into it- often quietly, often without the support it deserved- and she did it because she loved this music and the people who play it.
With her passing, this chapter comes to an end.
To those of you who showed up year after year, who supported us consistently, encouraged young players, volunteered, competed, donated, shared posts, and stood by this event when it would have been easier not to: thank you. Your support was seen, felt, and deeply appreciated- more than you know.
This contest survived as long as it did because of that unwavering support. It mattered. It still matters.
We are grateful for the memories, the music, and the community that did show up. That legacy belongs to you- and to her.
Thank you for nine years.

08/17/2025

The lucky winner of the violin raffle! (Wishes to remain unnamed)

08/06/2025

2025 Contest Winners – Official Results

What an incredible day of music, talent, and community. Congratulations to the winners of each division in this year's contest! Thank you to Fondest Photography for the wonderful photos!

Champion Division
1st – Celeste Johnson
2nd – Aarun Carter
3rd – Tristan Paskvan

Twin Division
1st – Libby Rogers & Celeste Johnson
2nd – Bradley Guptill & Natalie Guptill
3rd – Julia Smith & Juliette Rodriguez

Senior Division
1st – Cynthia Hamm

Adult Division
1st – Jeremy Sher
2nd – Justin Burnett
3rd – Jason Tashea

Young Adult Division
1st – Aarun Carter
2nd – Zach Stevens
3rd – Natalie Guptill
4th – Mia Dawson

Junior Division
1st – Tristan Paskvan
2nd – Megan Nave
3rd – Lorelei Hein
4th – Julia Smith
5th – Juliette Rodriguez
6th – Andi Voetberg

Jr. Jr. Division
1st – Elsa Keeslar
2nd – Piper Voetberg
3rd – Dodge Voetberg
4th – Harper Nelson

Small Fry Division
1st – Bradley Guptill
2nd – Archer McCubbins
3rd – Cecily Voetberg
4th – Kaira Mesa
5th – Loulu Guptill

Novice Division
1st – Paula Voetberg
2nd – Gretta Guptill
3rd – Dillon Guptill

Guitar
1st - Aarun Carter
2/3 tie- Celeste Johnson & Joby Voteberg

Thank you to all the amazing contestants, families, and supporters who helped make this event such a success. We’re already looking forward to next year!

08/01/2025

Thank you FOX 12 Oregon! Come see us this weekend at the Clark County Fair!

08/01/2025

Be sure to tune in this morning to Good Day Oregon - KPTV -Fox 12 to see fiddlers talking about The Washington State Fiddle Championships!

KPTV | Oregon Local News, Weather, Sports | Portland, OR

07/25/2025

FIDDLERS! Contest is a week away. Register now and save on fair admission.

07/25/2025

Meet Our 2025 Judges: CHRIS DARING
Chris Daring is the 1996 National Adult Fiddle Champion. She has been honored as a Master Artist in fiddling by both the Colorado Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

In 1997, Chris and her family provided music for a private dinner attended by eight world leaders and their spouses during the Summer of the Eight Conference in Denver, Colorado. Fiddler Magazine has featured her contributions to the art of fiddling in a dedicated article.

Since the late 1980s, Chris has judged numerous fiddle competitions and has actively performed, presented, and taught the historical and cultural aspects of fiddling throughout Colorado and the western United States.

She is the former administrator and teacher of the strings program for the Denver Waldorf K-12 School and has taught fiddling at both the University of Southern Colorado and the University of Colorado at Denver. Notably, 19 of her students have gone on to become National Fiddle Champions.

2019 Colorado Fiddle Championships17 Years at the National Western Stock Show!http://www.ColoradoFiddlers.orgContest sound and video sound supplied by sound ...

07/20/2025

Meet our 2025 judges: RICKY SELMAN

Born in Pendleton, Oregon, Ricky began his musical journey at the age of four on the cello while living in Nebraska. Not long after, he moved to Colorado and started playing fiddle with Chris Daring. Ricky competed in fiddle contests around the Rocky Mountain region. He went on to graduate from the Denver School of the Arts and completed his Suzuki certification. He majored in Commercial Music at South Plains College and played Western Swing with the Dixie Dew Drops, directed by Joe Carr. He has also studied with Texas fiddle legends Dick and Lisa Barrett, Texas Shorty, Dale Morris, Jimmie Don Bates, Randy Elmore, Wes Wesmorland III, and Matthew Hartz.

When judging, Ricky says he looks for a steady rhythm, a good demonstration of the context of the tune a fiddler is playing, and mastery of the instrument.

Tunes: Leather Britches, Over the Waves, Black and White RagJT Fiddle OffLandmark SaloonPortland, Oregon

07/20/2025

Enter to win a Zubak Soloist with LR Baggs pickup (valued at $2,513.99!) at the Washington State Old Time Fiddle Championships, August 2–3 at the Clark County Fair. Courtesy of Kennedy Violins—don’t miss your shot at this incredible instrument!

07/15/2025

Meet our 2025 judges: DAN EMERT
Dan Emert has been playing fiddle, mandolin, and guitar for over 40 years. He has placed highly in many contests around the region including Oregon State, Washington State 2017 Adult Champion, Colorado State Adult champion, the Northwest Regionals, Western Open Junior and Adult Champion, and 2 National Championships at the National Oldtime Fiddler’s Contest in Weiser, Idaho (Junior – 1986, Adult – 2006).

Dan has been a clinical microbiologist for 25 years and currently resides in Walla Walla, Washington with his wife Lorie and 2 sons, Connor, and Mason.​ His philosophy about fiddling is straightforward: Technical proficiency (intonation, accuracy) is very important. But even more essential is rhythm. As dance music, traditional fiddling must make your toes tap. You MUST find that groove to make it all work. He also prefers a wide variety of different tunes in different styles. Play to your strengths and most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!! Have a great time and best of luck to all of this year’s contestants

07/11/2025

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! SCHEDULE IN COMMENTS

🎻ATTENTION FIDDLERS! Join us at
The Washington State Fiddle Championships
📍 Clark County Fairgrounds – Ridgefield, WA
📅 August 2–3, 2025
💥 Cash Prizes, all divisions!
Join us for two days of music, prizes, and good old-fashioned fairground fun — including special performances, watermelon & hot dog contests, and one of the most welcoming stages in the Pacific Northwest.
🏅 Divisions for all ages and skill levels — from Novice to Small Fry to Open

👇
Registration and more information:
https://forms.gle/jtrZpvFk3UW8tWYB8

📣 Spread the word — and we’ll see you at the fair!