Fiddle fun at Cd'A Casino this weekend

WORLEY - The lively sounds of bluegrass fiddles and guitars will be permeating the premises this weekend during the Coeur d'Alene Casino Fiddle Contest, which begins with registration at 3 p.m. today in the Skycatcher Hallway of the casino.

It has been 10 years since the casino hosted the fiddle contest. Aimee Barnes, event organizer and customer relationship marketing director for the casino, said she has seen a good response from interested musicians so far and expects between 70 and 100 fiddlers.

"We're geared up," she said Thursday. "We're excited to have a lot of great musicians come in. It should be a really fun event."

Contestants will arrive from states such as Oregon, Washington, Texas, California, Colorado and Montana, as well as plenty from Coeur d'Alene and Hayden. The youngest contestant registered is 7 years old and the oldest is 89.

The weekend will begin with a concert by the Del McCoury Band in the event center at 7 tonight. The first round of the Small Fry Division begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with subsequent contest rounds and breaks until 8:30 p.m. The contest will resume at 8 a.m. Sunday and continue through 4:30 p.m. Fiddlers will be expected to play a waltz, a reel and a tune of their choice. The competition will be split into small frys, Juniors, Young Adults and Seniors. Winners are vying for a piece of the $17,000 prize purse.

Fiddlers and accompanying guitars will treat guests to bluegrass, Texas-style swing and more during jam sessions in the Skycatcher, the Chinook Meadow and other areas on the property.

"It's so cool when you get all these musicians together. They have so much fun," said Barnes, who has played the fiddle for 30 years. "It's really nice."

Del McCoury concert tickets are $25 reserved and $15 general. The Casino Fiddle Contest is free of charge and the public is welcome to attend.

Info: www.cdacasino.com/fiddle/