The Official Kentucky State Championship Old Time Fiddlers Contest,
Inc. is Proudly Sponsored by the Grayson County Rotary Club.
Proceeds of the Fiddlers Contest benefit several Grayson
County Rotary Club projects as well as other organizations which provide
services in return for contributions or which sell products as a
fundraiser.
Our Club efforts are: Jodie Hall Memorial Scholarship,
Rotary Club Vocational Scholarship, Clothe-A-Child program,
Interest-Free Student-Loan Fund.
The Jodie Hall Memorial Scholarship is a $500.00
scholarship granted to a graduating GCHS Senior who will be pursuing
a degree in music. This is in Memory of Jodie Hall, long-time member
of the Grayson County Rotary Club and founder of the Kentucky State
Fiddlers Championship. It was Jodie’s dream to see old time string
music live on through our youth. In 2008, the Club granted two $500
Jodie Hall Memorial Scholarships for the first time ever due to the
quality of applicants.
Rotary Club Vocational Scholarship is a $500.00
scholarship granted to a graduating GCHS Senior who will be pursuing
a technical or vocational degree. The decision to support these
pursuits was due to the large manufacturing base in Grayson County
and our past involvement of local factory management.
Clothe-A-Child Program is an on-going project by the
Club which works in cooperation with the Grayson Co. High
School/Lawler Elementary Family Resource Center. The program's
original focus was for the elementary age children in need. As other
resources began to focus on these same areas, the need became more
evident for High School age children. This program provides a normal
minimum of a coat, 1-2 pairs of jeans, 1-2 tops, packages of
undergarments, and a small gift item or two. This is usually
distributed just before the school Christmas Break. We have normally
assisted approximately 20 students each year.
Interest-Free Student Loan Fund is the largest
financial undertaking of the Grayson Co. Rotary Club. This program
provides interest-free student loans to area students which may not
qualify for other financial aid and might not otherwise be able to
afford tuition. The loan is deferred until the student completes
their education. The Club normally funds an average of 10+ loans per
year with a maximum of $750.00 per semester. The Club currently has
funded and has outstanding over $87,000.00 for this project.
In addition to the Rotary Club efforts, other
organizations benefit from the Fiddlers Contest.
The Grayson County High School Band Boosters have worked
for several years providing ticket sales for the Contest. As a result,
the Club pays the Boosters for their efforts. Additionally, the
Boosters set up concession sales and this serves as a major annual
fundraiser and bonding project for the students.
The Breckinridge County High School Band Boosters also
provide concession sales to the contest. This also provides funds for
their efforts and allows the students to bond.
The St. Paul Catholic School has sold ice cream products
for the past several years. The sales benefit the efforts of the school.
The local Knights of Columbus provide parking assistance
in return for a monetary contribution.