The Kennedy Creek Old-Time Festival

The Kennedy Creek Old-Time Music Festival takes place every autumn at the Kennedy Creek Resort  in Suches, GA. Participants are invited to reserve cabins, yurts, or campsites, and food is available at the resort restaurant. Guest artists lead jams, teach workshops, and present concerts, but the main event is always jamming with friends. Admission is free thanks to our sponsors, the American Musicological Society and the Jon Bekoff Project.

Upcoming Festival

The next festival will take place September 4–7, 2025. Reserve your lodging now at the resort website . The program will include workshops, performances, and a square dance. Join the Kennedy Creek Old-Time Festival Facebook group or watch this page for updates!

Kennedy Creek Old-Time Festival Fiddle Contest

1. Preliminary: Two divisions including Open (any age), Junior (age 16 and under). Juniors may compete in the open division but may not then also compete in the Junior division.
2. Each contestant will play one tune in the Preliminary Round.
3. There are no rules disqualifying any styles or tricks but judges will be listening for style and repertoire that represents the region.
4. Scores will be tabulated directly after the end of the preliminary round and top 5 finalists will be announced and posted immediately.
5. Finals will begin 30 minutes after finalists are announced. It is during this time that finalists will draw for finals order.
6. Open Finals will consist of 2 tunes.
7. Tied scores may result in additional playoff rounds. Scoring between rounds is not cumulative.
8. Winners and awards will be announced directly after finals have finished. All contestants are responsible for their own festival admission fees. The contest is open to all participants, including non-Georgia residents.

• 12:00–1:30pm: Registration
• 1:30–2:00pm: Order Drawing
• 2:00–2:45pm: Junior Division
• 3:00–4:00pm: Open Division
• 4:00–4:15pm: Junior Awards
• 4:15–4:30pm: Drawing for Finals
• 4:30–5:00pm: Open Finals
• 5:00pm: Open Division Awards

Past Festivals

September 5–8, 2024

• Guest artists: Mickey Nelligan and Sasha Hsuczyk
• Sponsors: The American Musicological Society & The Jon Bekoff Project

September 7–10, 2023

• Guest artists: The Short House Serenaders (Sarah Adams, Van Burchfield & Isaac Stroupe)
• Sponsors: The American Musicological Society & The Jon Bekoff Project

September 29–October 2, 2022

• Guest artists: The Griddle Lickers (Mick & Evan Kinney) and Hog-Eyed Man (Jason Cade & Rob McMaken)
• Sponsors: The American Musicological Society & The Jon Bekoff Project

September 30–October 3, 2021

• Guest artists: Emily Schaad, John Herrman, Meredith McIntosh, Allie Jean & Frank Lee