Yuma Old Time Fiddlers Festival Returns for 49th Annual Weekend

The Arizona Old Time Fiddlers are bringing back a near half-century tradition in Yuma the second weekend of January, with fiddle contests slated for Saturday, Jan. 10 and Sunday, Jan. 11 and live music and free dancing on Friday and Saturday evenings. The weekend-long Music Festival is a volunteer-run effort designed to keep old-time fiddling alive while drawing a mix of winter visitors and local performers to the community.

Now in its 49th year, the fiddle contest has become a fixture of Yuma’s winter calendar. Organizers said the group regularly performs around the community and that proceeds from the festival support the Yuma Silver Spur Rodeo. The festival also serves as a lead-in to the rodeo itself, which is scheduled for Feb. 13 through Feb. 15; officials remind the public that the only official online ticket source is rodeoticket.com.

The event welcomes participants of all ages, with age divisions beginning at eight and under and extending to a senior division for performers 80 and older. In addition to solo and ensemble fiddle competitions, the festival includes vocal categories and contests for other stringed instruments, making it accessible for families and musicians with different interests. Organizers hope the inclusive line-up will attract new musicians and broaden community participation in a tradition that spans nearly five decades.

For Yuma’s local economy, the festival carries several implications. By drawing winter visitors and creating evening entertainment, the weekend can provide a modest boost to nearby restaurants, lodging and retail outlets during a traditionally steady tourism season. Proceeds channelled to the Silver Spur Rodeo also support a larger regional event that generates additional economic activity in February, from ticket sales to concession and vendor revenue.

Culturally, the festival functions as an intergenerational gathering that preserves musical skills and local heritage. The broad age range of competitors suggests steady community engagement across generations, while the volunteer nature of the organizing group underscores grassroots investment in keeping the practice alive.

Residents interested in attending, competing or supporting the festival can plan around the Jan. 9-11 weekend schedule and look to rodeoticket.com for official rodeo ticket purchases tied to the Silver Spur events in February. The festival’s combination of competition, live music and free dancing offers a low-cost, family-friendly way to celebrate Yuma’s musical traditions while supporting local cultural institutions.