Fiddle and Bango contest postponed

The annual Fiddle and Bango Contest in Columbia State Historic Park, a bluegrass and folk event scheduled to take place Saturday, will be postponed due to COVID-19 — though organizers plan to host an informal outdoor jam session in its place.

The postponement also includes the concurrent 38th Poison Oak Show, which is traditionally held on the front porch of St. Charles Saloon, said organizer Richard Haratani, in an email.

A Facebook page for the contest said a future date was yet to be determined.

“Thanks for your patience while we work to [ensure] a safe, vibrant, and inclusive event for all involved,” the post said.

The new event is titled the “First and Hopefully Only Informal Fiddle and Bango/poison Oak Jam,” which will be held from noon until the players decide to disband.

“Old-timey” and acoustic players are “highly recommended to attend,” while others will be “kindly tolerated.”

It will include some of the typical characteristics of pandemic-era events, such as being outdoor and socially distanced, as well as the characteristics of the Fiddle and Bango competition: on the streets of Columbia State Historic Park with listeners setting up lawn chairs outside of the gazebo.

Attendees are invited to bring children, leashed livestock and their own food and drink. Food and beverages will also be sold.

The annual, sanctioned contest is held in the gazebo at the park, typically including more than 40 musicians competing in categories such as fiddle, banjo, vocal, guitar, mandolin and miscellaneous. Grand prizes are a gold nugget, and there are cash and gift certificate prizes in each category.