Tradition has been the focal point that has drawn fiddlers from far and wide to Tebbetts each summer.
The Tebbetts Picnic and Muttonfest closed out Sunday with their annual fiddler's contest. The picnic has been held since 1893 and the fiddler contest is a tradition that spans back to the early 1900s, event coordinator Robert Mackey said.
Eighteen fiddlers of all ages competed against each other in the hope of placing and taking home cash prizes. The competition was broken into four different categories that included seniors, 60 years and older; an open class of any age; a pre-open class, 30 and younger; and youth, 17 and younger.
"I just thought it'd be fun competing and having the chance to win," said fiddler Sophia Schindler, 12, of Sturgeon.
Each competitor played a traditional hoedown, waltz and a third tune of their choice before three judges with great experience in the fiddling world. Schindler's songs of choice were "Look up Susan," "Red Fox Waltz" and "Tunes from Home."
Fiddler David Lamb made a nearly 450-mile trip from Delight, Arkansas, on his motor scooter to Tebbetts to compete in the senior division. Having played the fiddle for more than 50 years, this wasn't Lamb's first time to compete in Tebbetts.
"I like to come support from Arkansas because all of the old time fiddlers are gone," Lamb said. "The only contest left in the state of Arkansas is the state contest in Mountain View in August."
Lamb nearly missed the contest as he was rerouted due to the closure of the flooded Missouri 94. Upon arriving after the registration period, Lamb had to immediately go on stage and perform, per contest rules.
"Well, I didn't play good, I know that," Lamb said. "If I could have warmed up I probably could've done better, but just getting to play makes the whole trip worth it."
The open class competition was where the true heavyweights battled it out. Five fiddlers faced one another for grand-prize money.
One of the highlights was how Preston Marriott, 12, stood toe-to-toe with some of the best and walked away with an impressive fourth-place finish.
"This guy could have competed in three of the four categories and chose to compete with some of the best," Mackey said.
The open class division finished with a bang as Joe Fradrezee, of Dearborn, and John P. Williams Jr., of Madison, finished with tied scores from the judges. The two each performed another song in the tie breaker. Ultimately, Williams took home the top prize.
Even with the event innately rooted in competition, there was only good sportsmanship and respect on display Sunday.
"It's fun and I get to see all of my fiddle friends so it makes it more like a social get together than a competition," said Marta Cunningham, 14, of Fulton.