This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.
The Iowa State Fair is in the midst of its 171st year with many attractions to visit, both old and new. But none are as old as the fiddlers’ contest, which celebrated its 100th year Sunday.
Throughout those 100 years, individuals have boasted their skills with the fiddle in front of spectators and judges at Pioneer Hall with the hopes of taking home the first prize. This year’s 50-plus winner was Kirk Brandenberger of Keokuk, who now can claim two fiddlers’ titles — 52 years apart.
Brandenberger, who turns 70 next Saturday, last competed in the contest in 1973 in the under-18 division and took home the title in his third attempt at the time.
“I first came when I was 11 years old, which is many years ago,” he said. “There was always something going on somewhere else. And it’s a long ways up here (from Keokuk).”
He was named the runner-up in the overall fiddle contest later in the day. Kat Schmidt was named grand champion.
A comeback for the ages
Brandenberger went on to become a successful fiddler after his 1973 fair title, releasing two albums (“Fiddlin’ Around” in 1977, “Fiddler on the Hoof” in 1988), serving on the Board of Directors of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, starting Prime Cuts for Bluegrass with his wife, Becky, and managing several record stores in his hometown of Keokuk.
While he may not be producing music at this point in his career, the 2014 Iowa Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee still travels around the Midwest playing in front of crowds. And on Saturday, the day before the age 50-plus fiddlers’ contest, Brandenberger called superintendent Angela Bellegante for details on this year’s event.
Everything lined up for him to make a return half a decade later.
“I was just happy he was going to be here because I knew his reputation as a fiddler that it was going to be a barn-burning contest,” said David Bellegante, Angela’s husband and a participant in the competition since 1976. “I just knew he was a whale of a fiddler.”
That fiddling reputation stood true when he outperformed his peers to take home the title in his age division. Just 24 hours before his victory, playing in this year’s contest was a thought at most. But the last-minute decision turned into a comeback for the ages.
“It is what I expected. He played really good, man,” Bellegante said.
Honoring the ones who played a part
To round out the finale of the 100th anniversary, the competition’s committee presented a slideshow honoring several past winners who have died. A member of the winner’s family played a song in tribute to their success in the competition and love for fiddling.
“That was a brainchild of my wife. She had this vision to pull a tribute for all these passed people,” Bellegante said. “The hard part is, there’s so many good fiddlers we didn’t recognize that could’ve been recognized. So we tried to pinpoint it to people that had some family ties that could also be a part of it.”
Not only Brandenberger, but several other competitors and fans made the return for the event’s 100th go-around. It was a day of remembrance and gratitude for all who share memories inside Pioneer Hall throughout the years.
“Well, it’s real gratifying,” Brandenberger said. “I read the names of the men that had won it in the past 25 years on a board here, and I saw lots of old friends. Lots of good memories here.”
Whether Brandenberger will participate again remains a mystery, but he fully expects the competition to stick around for years to come.
“Oh yeah, it’ll keep going,” he said. “I can’t see a reason for it not to.”
Chris Meglio is a reporter for the Register. Reach him at cmeglio@gannett.com or on X @chris_meglio.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Fiddler returns after 52 years to win age group in Iowa State Fair’s oldest contest
Reporting by Chris Meglio, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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