FAIR-GOERS CLAP AND STOMP FOR NINE FIDDLERS FIDDLING IN ANNUAL CONTEST

Liesl Schoenberger showed up late to the Old Tyme Fiddler's Contest Saturday at the SEMO District Fair. But in the contest itself, her timing was perfect.

The 13-year-old Cape Girardeau girl won first place in the junior division, taking home the $50 prize.

She first entered the fiddle contest five years ago at age 9, and promptly won first place in her division. She has won top honors every year since then.

The oldest competitor was Bob King, 81, of Jackson. King, who has played the fiddle for 70 years, is annually a crowd favorite at the fair's fiddle contest.

Schoenberger practically grew up with the violin. She has been playing classical music since she was 2 1/2 years old, and regularly performs at music festivals.

But she said she enjoys playing that foot-stomping bluegrass music. "It is just more fun. It is fun to get the crowd into it," she said following the contest.

About 300 people crowded into the yellow-and-white-striped R & R tent to listen to the fiddlers Saturday afternoon.

Many took to clapping and stomping their feet over the rushing rhythm of the fiddle.

Schoenberger's sandal-clad right foot kept time to the music, pounding out an energetic beat.

She wore her sunflower hat, which has become her trademark.

Schoenberger said people often don't recognize her without the hat.

Matt Wilson, 17, of Cape Girardeau finished second in the junior division, where contestants must be under 21 years of age. He pocketed $30 for his effort.

It was the first fiddle contest for the Cape Girardeau Central High School senior.

Wilson, who has been playing the violin for five years, said he was nervous before taking the stage.

He entered the competition at the urging of his high school orchestra teacher.

Thirteen-year-old Jessie Kirchner came all the way from Farmington to enter the contest. She finished third, taking home the $20 prize.

In the over-21-years-of-age senior division, Beverly Reece of Cape Girardeau won first place and $75. John Simmons of Egypt Mills finished second, winning the $50 prize. John Heizer of Cape Girardeau took home $30 for his third-place finish.

In all, nine fiddlers competed in the fair contest.

The three judges sat with their backs to the stage as they listened to the contestants, who were introduced by number instead of name.

The contestants were judged on the basis of tone, timing and execution.

Brian Driscoll of Cape Girardeau was one of the judges.

A musician himself, Driscoll said he listens to how in tune the instrument sounds when it is played.

"It is a difficult instrument to play," he said.

Driscoll said he likes the district fair competition because the crowd enjoys the music and claps for all the fiddlers.

"They are always real responsive," he said.

The fair staff's Raymond Rampley said the contest has proved popular with fair goers.

"When you get good fiddle players, they will always attract attention," he said.