27th Annual Minnesota State Old Time Fiddle Championship & Festival August 1 & 2, 2008

Cotton High School Cotton MN

Six contest divisions with cash prizes totaling $2,125. Trophies awarded.

All States and Canada are eligible to compete.

Here is the schedule of events

Friday, August 1

12:00-7:00 PM Craft Show - Cotton Community Center - Admission $2

3:00-6:30 PM Registration - Cotton School (9165 Hwy. 53).

4:30-6:30 PM Dinner - Cotton School Cafeteria (PTSO)

7:00 PM Fiddle Contest Eliminations -Admission $7.00 - ALL AGES

Saturday, August 2

7:30-10:00 AM Pancake Breakfast - Cotton Community Church

(1 block West on CH 52)

9:00 AM Canoe/Shoe/Bike Race - 1/4 mile East on CH 52

10:00-4:30 PM Festival - Cotton Community Center - Admission $2.00 (button)

Volleyball Tournament begins at Noon.

The volleyball tournament will be a double elimintaiton tournament with prizes going to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.? Contact Dennis or Laurel Olsen at 482-5218 to register your team.

Jam Session/Fiddlers throughout the day

4:00-5:30 PM Dinner - Cotton School Cafeteria (Senior Class)

6:00 PM Fiddle Contest Finals Admission $7.00 - ALL AGES

9:30-4:30 PM Free Shuttle Bus Service on Saturday between Cotton High School, Cotton Community Church (parking) & Cotton Community Center. Parking is available at the High School, Cotton Community Church, and across from the church on Arkola Road.

For more contest information call 218-482-5592, 218-482-3351, or 218-482-3303. Festival information call 218-482-3420

Canoe, Shoe and Bicycle Race

It’s that time of year again when all thoughts turn to the annual Fiddle

Festival and the Cotton Canoe, Shoe, and Bicycle Race, the biggest events in the year for Cotton residents. The date for this years race is August 4, 2007

The race was reorganized last year after lying dormant for nearly 20 years. Thanks to the efforts of Fiddle Festival organizers the race took place on a cool Saturday morning, beginning on the Whiteface River just east of Cotton. Just two canoes turned out for the revival of this strenuous event, but this year more are expected as publicity goes out.

Dale Rogers, who recently moved back to the Duluth Area, was the race originator when he and wife Sally owned and operated the Cotton Country Store. He reorganized the race last year and will continue in that capacity again. With increased area publicity he is looking for more participation for this year’s event.

In years past Donald and David Miller nearly always took first place honors, but last year they sent a brother in their place. Kris Miller took first place while teammate Scott Swanson, who suffered bicycle problems followed.

Linda Tuhkanen placed third and Becky Lorentzson rounded out the competition.

Assisting in getting the course prepared was Stanley Miller who mowed a path up from the river at the end of the canoe portion so the runners could find the road! Rod Lorentzson and Herb Tuhkanen also were on hand for emotional support for their wives.

The duties of Race Queen were admirably carried out by Margaret Sharp who started the racers off and then presented trophies at the awards ceremony in the Community Center.

This years race will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the usual location 1/2 mile east of Cotton. Racers will provide their own canoe, running shoes, and bicycles. A life vest will be required in the canoe, and a helmet for the bicycle leg of the race. Bikers should ride WITH traffic, that is on the right side of the road.

In the past people have lamented that they didn’t realize the race was coming so soon. Now is the time to prepare by doing some paddling, jogging, and getting those bike tires pumped up and the chain oiled. Come out and enjoy the great Whiteface River, work up a sweat, then enjoy the Fiddle Festival and relax at the finals of the Fiddle Contest Saturday evening.

We’ll look for you!!

Sign up on the day of the race. There are age division trophy awards: 1st, 2nd 3rd in under 18 years of age; 1st, 2nd 3rd in 18-35; 1st, 2nd 3rd in 35+ years of age. Teams can also be mixed.