GoKawiilLongreads Profiles Galax's 90th Annual Old Fiddler's Convention
Longreads published a 5,726-word feature by David Alm on the 90th Old Fiddler's Convention held in Galax, Virginia, a small city whose population swells roughly fourfold during the six-day event. Founded in 1935, the gathering is described as the oldest and largest fiddlers' convention in the world, having been canceled only twice before, during World War II and the 2020 pandemic. The piece recounts the festival's atmosphere, its traditions, and the competitive rules governing old-time string musicians.