Tennessee State Jamboree and Crafts Festival

Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree and Crafts Festival

Adopted in 1997.

In 1997, the Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree and Crafts Festival was designated by by House Joint Resolution 24 of the 100th General Assembly as the official state jamboree and crafts festival, and the US Congress as "The Tennessee and National Official Jamboree and Crafts Festival."

WCTE, Channel 22, a PBS affiliate based in nearby Cookeville, TN, annually televises the Jamboree and, in cooperation with the Southern Education Communication Association, syndicates the event to affiliates around the US and the world. This is an Old-Timed Appalachian Festival and old-time rules will prevail.

Smithville, Tennessee, the county seat of DeKalb County, Tennessee, is world renowned for its annual Fiddlers' Jamboree and Craft Festival, held on the first weekend in July. The Fiddler's Jamboree is a two-day festival of pure Appalachian crafts, music and dance, and contestants from all over the United States come to participate in the fun. The small town of 4,000 swells to nearly 80,000 over the two days, and an atmosphere of fellowship and fun surrounds the festivities.

The world famous annual Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree began as the idea of the late Congressman Joe L. Evins and his close friend, Berry C. Williams, as a way to showcase the progress made by the federally funded Model Cities Program begun in the early 1970's. Williams was the first event organizer, and after much planning, preparation and promotion, the first Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree was held on July 1-2, 1972 on a stage built on the steps of the DeKalb County Courthouse. Local WJLE Radio personality Ralph Vaughn and Charley Thompson served as backup announcers. Thompson also served as coordinator of the first Jamboree.

Present day audiences are estimated to be well over 100,000, with regular visitors from all 50 states and several foreign countries. The annual Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree and Crafts Festival is planned and organized by local merchants, business leaders and civic organizations under the direction of skilled Jamboree coordinator, Neil Dudney. The volunteer group is committed to the preservation and heritage of country and bluegrass music and the culture of arts and crafts.

In 1989, the Jamboree was incorporated as a non-profit corporation, and is governed by a Board of Directors made up of a representative from each of the sponsoring organizations.

The Jamboree has been featured in several nationally renowned magazines, including National Geographic Traveler. In addition, the Jamboree has been selected as one of the "Top 20 Tourist Favorites" by the Southeast Tourism Society and as one of the "Top 100 Tourist Events in North America" according to a list compiled by the American Bus Association.

From the dreams and determination of Congressman Joe L. Evins and Berry C. Williams, the Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree and Crafts Festival continues the preservation of the country, folk, bluegrass and Appalachian music and crafts arts.

For more information about the contact:

Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree
Mr. Neil Dudney
Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree Coordinator
P. O. Box 83
Smithville, TN 37166.

The office is located on the basement floor of the DeKalb County Courthouse, Public Square, Smithville, TN.
Telephone number: (615) 597-8500.