June 1st, 2013 – Athens, Texas

The state’s longest running contest was held at the square of old downtown Athens, Texas, on the last day of May and first day of June, this year.

I don’t know enough about fiddlers and fiddling, but I can feel the old Texas atmosphere around the square by listening to the tunes played and sung.

The tunes date back older than the reunion itself, I heard.

Young and seniors fiddled in harmony. Ladies played bingo. Spouse guarded the instruments. Toddler watched in the shade of a big ol’ oak tree.

The youth, 18 years and under, practiced, waited, watched, competed.

Concession booths stood by.

Apple Blossom. Brilliancy.

The spectators swayed.

Kids played puddle. Teens wandered around.

© Photographs by Ine Burke / Inegaleri.com 2013