The Maury River Fiddlers Convention returns for a 32nd time to Glen Maury Park in Buena Vista this Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20. The convention is a showcase for traditional music as well as a contest for individual musicians and bands to compete for cash prizes.
Performing at the convention will be two host bands – the winning bands from last year’s competitions – Common Ground, who took the top prize for bluegrass bands, and Up Jumped Trouble, who took first place in 2025 among old-time bands.
Two young musicians who are making names for themselves will also be performing – DJ Roller, winner of last year’s bluegrass mandolin individual performance and a regular at past conventions; and Colby Helms, a multi-talented singer-songwriter-musician who appeared with his band, the Virginia Creepers, at the Lime Kiln Theater last month as the opening act for Trey Hensley.
Admission to the convention is $10 on Friday and $15 on Saturday, or a two-day pass is $20. Children ages 11 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. There is no fee for musicians to compete.
Camping is $25 per night per site all this week through Sunday. The campground has been upgraded and is in splendid condition. Concessions will be available during the convention. Swimming is available at the city’s municipal pool in the upper part of the campground. The pool too has been upgraded, just last year.
The convention begins with an opening ceremony Friday at 6 p.m. Bands begin their first round of competition Friday evening. In between these initial competitions, DJ Roller, Common Ground and Colby Helms will take the stage.
Registration for individual contestants begins Saturday at 8:30 p.m. From 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be individual instrumentalists competing, children musician contests as well as adult flatfooting and folk song contests. A children’s awards ceremony will be at 5 p.m.
Evening performances will begin at 5:30 and will be followed by the final round of band competitions. Up Jumped Trouble and Common Ground will both be performing Saturday night. The convention will conclude with an awards ceremony.
Jam sessions that occur at the campground are an integral part of the convention, which takes place on the stage of the multi-purpose pavilion in the city’s 326-acre park in full view of the Maury River and surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. A group of community-minded local citizens began the convention in 1994 as a way to showcase the park’s lovely setting and facilities as well as to raise funds for park improvements.
A citizens committee of volunteers continues to organize the convention and bring it back, year after year. Local musician Ruth Huffman is again working with fellow volunteers to keep the convention going, along with park employee Millie Sizer, who helps with numerous events at the park throughout the year.
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